The spotlight shone brightly on Maria Ahtisa Manalo as she claimed the coveted Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, besting 65 other candidates from across the country.
In a grand spectacle filled with glitz, glamour, and national pride, Manalo outshone fellow contenders Chelsea Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat, Yllana Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna, Katrina Legado of Taguig, Gabbi Carballo of Cebu City, and Winwyn Marquez of Muntinlupa.
A night of fierce competition and dazzling gowns
Under the leadership of Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida, this year’s pageant introduced fresh innovations while staying true to its mission of empowering Filipina beauty and intelligence. Hosted by Gabbi Garcia and Xian Lim, the evening featured captivating performances from James Reid and Marlo Mortel, while Tim Yap and Erika Kristensen-Lee delivered behind-the-scenes coverage.
Manalo’s journey to the crown was marked by grace and confidence. Earlier in the competition, she made waves with her showstopping national costume inspired by Philippine folklore, drawing praise from both fans and fashion experts. Her poised responses during the question-and-answer round sealed her victory in the eyes of the judges.
The road to Miss Universe 2025
As Miss Universe Philippines, Manalo will represent the country in the global Miss Universe 2025 pageant set later this year in Bangkok, Thailand. She follows Chelsea Manalo, who made history as Miss Universe Asia and joined Manalo onstage to crown her successor.
Fans and pageant analysts alike had anticipated a tight race. Pageant site Missosology had earlier named Manalo the frontrunner in its final predictions, a forecast that proved accurate. Her win was met with thunderous applause from the crowd and an outpouring of support on social media.
Manalo expressed gratitude to her family, team, and supporters for believing in her throughout the journey. She pledged to use her platform to advocate for women’s empowerment and promote Philippine culture on the international stage.
The coronation night’s vibrant energy reflected the enduring passion of Filipino pageant fans. Thousands watched in person at the arena, while millions tuned in via livestream on Empire Philippines’ YouTube channel and looked forward to the delayed television broadcast on GMA Network this Sunday.
With a new queen at the helm, the Philippines once again sets its sights on conquering the international stage, eager to bring home another Miss Universe crown.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.