Who is Ahtisa Manalo?
Ma. Ahtisa Manalo is a Filipino beauty queen, model, entrepreneur, actress, and television personality. She is one of the Philippines’ most experienced modern pageant contestants. Her career includes several major international competitions, including Miss International 2018, Miss Cosmo 2024, and Miss Universe 2025.
Ahtisa first became nationally famous when she won Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 at only 20 years old. She represented the Philippines at Miss International 2018 in Tokyo, Japan, where she finished as 1st Runner-Up. Years later, she returned to national pageantry and won Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024, becoming the first Filipina to hold the title. She then competed at the inaugural Miss Cosmo competition and reached the Top 10.
Her biggest achievement came in 2025, when she won Miss Universe Philippines 2025. She represented the country at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand and finished as 3rd Runner-Up. She also won the Best National Costume award and was recognized as a Beyond the Crown honoree for her advocacy.
Ahtisa’s story is especially interesting because pageantry was not simply a glamorous hobby for her. She began joining local pageants as a child because she needed help paying for her education. Her grandmother and godfather supported her schooling, while pageant prizes helped make education more accessible to her.
She also built a professional life outside pageantry. Ahtisa studied Accountancy at the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation and became involved in several food and beverage businesses. She has been connected with brands and establishments such as Koomi, Oh My Greek, Zig Foods, Cafe Noun, and Call Me Harris.
In 2026, Ahtisa entered a completely new chapter. After completing her long pageant journey, she signed with Sparkle GMA Artist Center and began pursuing acting, hosting, fashion, and entertainment. She is also set to make her acting debut as Bathalumang Haliya in GMA’s Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Ma. Ahtisa Manalo |
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1997 |
| Age | 29 years |
| Birthplace | Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Heritage | Filipino-Spanish and Finnish-Swedish |
| Profession | Beauty Queen, Model, Entrepreneur, Actress |
| Education | Accountancy |
| University | Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation |
| Major Title | Miss Universe Philippines 2025 |
| International Result | 3rd Runner-Up, Miss Universe 2025 |
| Earlier Title | Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 |
| Miss International Result | 1st Runner-Up, 2018 |
| Miss Cosmo Philippines | 2024 |
| Miss Cosmo Result | Top 10 |
| Height | Around 5’8″ / 173 cm |
| Agency | Sparkle GMA Artist Center |
| Advocacy | Youth empowerment, education, gender equality |
| Relationship Status | Private |
Ahtisa Manalo Early Life
Ahtisa Manalo was born on May 25, 1997, in Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines. She grew up in a modest family environment and was raised primarily by her mother and grandmother. Her grandmother became one of the most important people in her life.
Ahtisa’s family background is multicultural. Her mother is of Filipino-Spanish descent, while her biological father is of Finnish-Swedish heritage. Ahtisa has openly said that she does not have a relationship with her biological father. She was primarily raised by her mother and grandmother.
Her grandmother played a major role in her education and upbringing.
Because the family had limited financial resources, Ahtisa learned from an early age that education was something that had to be worked for.
She started joining local beauty competitions when she was only around 10 years old. Her motivation was not originally to become famous. Instead, one of the pageants offered free tuition as a prize, and Ahtisa saw it as a way to continue her education.
This early experience eventually turned pageantry into a major part of her life.
Ahtisa Manalo Family
Ahtisa’s grandmother is one of the central figures in her story.
Her grandmother helped put her through school and supported her dreams even when the family did not have much money. Ahtisa has repeatedly spoken about her grandmother’s kindness and the lessons she learned from her.
During the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition, Ahtisa was asked about the biggest lesson she had learned from another woman. She chose her grandmother and said that her grandmother taught her to always be kind.
Her grandmother sadly passed away in early 2025, before Ahtisa won Miss Universe Philippines 2025.
That made her 2025 victory extremely emotional.
During her winning answer, Ahtisa explained that becoming Miss Universe Philippines had been a shared dream between her and her grandmother. She dedicated the achievement to her.
Her family story is therefore closely connected to her pageant career.
Ahtisa Manalo Education
Ahtisa pursued higher education and earned a degree in Accountancy from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Quezon. She also served as the university’s Supreme Student Council President, showing that her leadership abilities were already visible before she became a major beauty queen.
Her interest in business started early.
Even while she was still in high school, she reportedly helped manage stock investments for her cousins.
Her accountancy background later became useful in her entrepreneurial career.
Although she became internationally famous as a beauty queen, she never depended entirely on pageantry for her professional identity.
Ahtisa Manalo Career
Entrepreneurial Career
Ahtisa is also a businesswoman.
She became involved in the food and beverage industry and helped develop and expand several businesses.
She has been associated with Visum Ventures, where she served as Chief Financial Officer until 2022 before transitioning to Chief Marketing Officer in 2023.
She has also been involved with food brands including Koomi, Oh My Greek, and Zig Foods.
Her business interests extend beyond the Philippines.
Ahtisa has managed two cafes in Australia: Cafe Noun and Call Me Harris.
Her business career demonstrates that she has always had interests beyond fashion and beauty.
She has often described herself as someone who was naturally interested in business.
Beginning of Her Pageant Career
Ahtisa’s pageant journey began when she was a child.
She entered local pageants partly because she needed financial assistance for school.
By her teenage years, she was becoming more serious about competition.
In 2017, she represented Quezon Province at Reyna ng Aliwan, where she finished as 2nd Runner-Up. She had also been associated with the Niyogyugan Festival in Quezon.
These competitions gave her important experience.
She learned how to speak confidently, walk on stage, handle interviews, work with designers, and connect with audiences.
All of these skills became useful when she eventually entered Binibining Pilipinas.
Binibining Pilipinas International 2018
Ahtisa’s first major national breakthrough came in 2018.
She joined Binibining Pilipinas 2018 at the age of 20.
The competition featured 40 contestants, including future Miss Universe winner Catriona Gray.
Ahtisa ultimately won the Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 title and became the youngest titleholder that year.
The victory changed her life.
She now had the responsibility of representing the Philippines at Miss International.
Miss International 2018
Ahtisa represented the Philippines at Miss International 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.
She performed extremely well and reached the final stage.
She eventually finished as 1st Runner-Up, placing behind Venezuela’s Mariam Velazco, who won the title.
Although Ahtisa did not win the international crown, her result was considered a major achievement.
It also established her as one of the Philippines’ strongest pageant contestants.
After Miss International, she stepped away from major pageant competition for several years.
A Temporary Break From Pageantry
Ahtisa did not immediately return to pageantry after 2018.
She focused on education, business, and personal development.
She also considered another career path.
At one point, she applied to the Philippine National Police Academy because several members of her family were police officers. She had considered becoming a police officer and wanted to make a difference through public service.
She later chose a different path.
Her business career grew, and she continued working in the food and beverage industry.
She eventually returned to pageantry in 2024.
Miss Universe Philippines 2024
Ahtisa returned to national pageantry in 2024, joining Miss Universe Philippines.
She quickly became one of the competition’s strongest candidates.
She won numerous special awards during the preliminary stages and became a fan favorite.
At the final competition, she finished as 2nd Runner-Up to Chelsea Manalo.
Although she did not win the Miss Universe Philippines crown, the organization appointed her as the country’s first Miss Cosmo Philippines.
This gave her another opportunity to compete internationally.
Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024
Ahtisa represented the Philippines at the inaugural Miss Cosmo 2024 competition in Vietnam.
She performed well and reached the Top 10.
She also won the People’s Choice Award, giving her additional recognition during the competition.
Her performance proved that her international pageant career was still strong.
But Ahtisa was not finished.
She decided to compete once again for the Miss Universe Philippines title in 2025.
Miss Universe Philippines 2025
Ahtisa returned to the Miss Universe Philippines competition in 2025.
This time, she came with more experience, greater maturity, and a clear personal purpose.
She represented Quezon Province and became one of the strongest candidates throughout the competition.
During the final question-and-answer portion, she spoke about falling and getting back up.
She connected her answer to her own pageant journey, explaining that she had competed again after finishing second runner-up the previous year.
She also spoke emotionally about her grandmother, who had passed away earlier that year.
Her message resonated with the judges.
Ahtisa was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 on May 2, 2025.
The victory was deeply emotional because of her grandmother’s role in her life.
It was also a major comeback after years of competing and coming close to major crowns.
Miss Universe 2025
Ahtisa represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand.
The competition took place on November 21, 2025, with contestants from around the world.
Ahtisa advanced through the competition and ultimately finished as 3rd Runner-Up.
Her result was another major achievement for the Philippines.
She also won the Best National Costume award.
Her costume, called “Festajada: Queen of Philippine Festivals,” was designed by Filipino designer Mak Tumang and drew inspiration from Philippine festivals and traditional fashion.
Ahtisa also participated in the Beyond the Crown competition, where she promoted education and youth leadership.
She was recognized as a Beyond the Crown honoree after the competition.
Her Final Walk
After completing her Miss Universe journey, Ahtisa took her final walk as Miss Universe Philippines 2025 on May 2, 2026.
The farewell took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena during the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 competition.
During her final message, Ahtisa reflected on having spent approximately 18 years in pageantry.
She said that her Miss Universe journey taught her that representing the Philippines was not simply about wearing a sash or crown. It meant carrying a responsibility and becoming a symbol for something bigger than herself.
She then passed the crown to her successor, Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union.
Joining Sparkle GMA Artist Center
After completing her pageant journey, Ahtisa decided to enter show business.
On March 10, 2026, she officially signed with Sparkle GMA Artist Center, GMA Network’s talent management agency.
She explained that she had actually been expected to sign with Sparkle earlier, but she chose to compete at Miss Universe Philippines 2025 first.
After finishing her pageant journey, she felt that the timing was finally right.
She is now exploring acting, hosting, fashion, endorsements, and other entertainment opportunities.
Ahtisa has also expressed interest in action films.
She said that she dreamed of becoming a Charlie’s Angel when she was younger, so she would love the opportunity to perform in an action project.
Acting Debut in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre
Ahtisa is set to make her acting debut in GMA’s Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.
She will portray Bathalumang Haliya, described as a humble but powerful goddess associated with the moons.
Her character’s look includes a flowing white gown and a silver headpiece featuring a moon.
The role marks a completely new chapter for Ahtisa.
Unlike pageantry, acting requires her to become another character and deliver scripted dialogue.
She has acknowledged that she is new to acting and is ready to learn through workshops and training.
Dream Leading Man
During her Sparkle contract signing, Ahtisa was asked about her dream leading man.
She named Alden Richards.
She said she had watched him on television and had developed a crush on him. She described him as having a kind-looking face.
Her answer created a fun moment during the media event.
Ahtisa has also said that she is open to different kinds of roles and wants to discover what she can do as an actress.
Advocacy
Ahtisa has been associated with several social causes.
She has spoken about youth development, education, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.
She has also been involved with Alon Akademie, an organization focused on helping young people develop social skills, global citizenship, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Her own childhood experiences help explain her interest in education.
Because her grandmother had to find ways to support her schooling, Ahtisa understands the importance of educational opportunities for young people from low-income families.
During Miss Universe 2025, her Beyond the Crown advocacy also focused on education and youth leadership.
Ahtisa Manalo Relationships
Ahtisa Manalo keeps her romantic life relatively private.
There is no reliable public confirmation of a husband or long-term partner.
She has occasionally been linked to people through pageant and entertainment circles, but unverified social-media rumors should not be presented as confirmed relationships.
At present, her public focus is largely on her entertainment career, business activities, advocacy, and international pageant work.
Ahtisa Manalo Social Media
| Platform | Username / Details | Content |
| @ahtisa | Fashion, travel, pageantry and lifestyle | |
| Ahtisa Manalo | Public appearances and career updates | |
| TikTok | Ahtisa Manalo | Lifestyle and entertainment content |
| Main Platform | Fashion, pageantry and personal updates |
Ahtisa uses social media to stay connected with her supporters.
Her posts often feature fashion shoots, pageant events, travel, family moments, brand partnerships, and professional milestones.
Since her Miss Universe Philippines victory, her online audience has grown considerably.
Ahtisa Manalo Net Worth
| Category | Details |
| Net Worth | Not officially disclosed |
| Main Income | Business, endorsements and entertainment |
| Business Interests | Food and beverage |
| Other Income | Modeling, appearances and television |
| Current Career | Actress, model, entrepreneur and pageant personality |
Ahtisa Manalo Physical Appearance
Ahtisa is known for her elegant appearance, doll-like facial features, tall frame, and strong runway presence.
She stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall.
| Feature | Details |
| Height | 5’8″ / 173 cm |
| Hair | Dark Brown |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Build | Slim/Fit |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Age | 29 years |
Her appearance has often been described as having a classic pageant look, which helped her succeed at both national and international competitions.
Interesting Facts About Ahtisa Manalo
- Ahtisa was born on May 25, 1997.
- Her hometown is Candelaria, Quezon.
- She has Filipino-Spanish and Finnish-Swedish heritage.
- She was primarily raised by her mother and grandmother.
- Her grandmother played a major role in her education.
- She began joining pageants at around 10 years old.
- One of her earliest motivations was winning free tuition.
- She studied Accountancy.
- She attended Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.
- She served as Supreme Student Council President.
- She has a strong interest in business.
- She helped manage stock investments for relatives as a student.
- She has been involved in food and beverage businesses.
- She has managed cafes in Australia.
- She was involved with Koomi.
- She has been associated with Oh My Greek.
- She has worked with Zig Foods.
- She won Binibining Pilipinas International 2018.
- She was only 20 when she won the title.
- She finished 1st Runner-Up at Miss International 2018.
- She competed at Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
- She finished 2nd Runner-Up in that competition.
- She became the first Miss Cosmo Philippines.
- She competed at Miss Cosmo 2024.
- She reached the Top 10 at Miss Cosmo.
- She won the People’s Choice Award at Miss Cosmo.
- She returned to Miss Universe Philippines in 2025.
- She won Miss Universe Philippines 2025.
- She represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2025.
- She finished 3rd Runner-Up at Miss Universe 2025.
- She won Best National Costume at Miss Universe 2025.
- Her national costume was designed by Mak Tumang.
- Her Beyond the Crown advocacy focused on education and youth leadership.
- She joined Sparkle GMA Artist Center in March 2026.
- She is making her acting debut in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.
- She plays Bathalumang Haliya.
- She is interested in action films.
- Her childhood dream was to become a Charlie’s Angel.
- She has named Alden Richards as her dream leading man.
- She is an advocate for gender equality.
- She supports the LGBTQ+ community.
- She has been involved with Alon Akademie.
- She took her final walk as Miss Universe Philippines 2025 in May 2026.
- Her grandmother passed away before her 2025 national victory.
- She dedicated her Miss Universe Philippines crown to her grandmother.
FAQs About Ahtisa Manalo
Q1. Who is Ahtisa Manalo?
Ahtisa Manalo is a Filipino beauty queen, model, entrepreneur, and actress. She is best known for winning Miss Universe Philippines 2025 and finishing 3rd Runner-Up at Miss Universe 2025.
Q2. How old is Ahtisa Manalo?
Ahtisa was born on May 25, 1997, making her 29 years old in 2026.
Q3. Where is Ahtisa Manalo from?
She is from Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines.
Q4. What did Ahtisa Manalo study?
She earned a degree in Accountancy from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.
Q5. When did Ahtisa Manalo win Binibining Pilipinas International?
She won Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 at the age of 20.
Q6. What was Ahtisa’s result at Miss International 2018?
She finished as 1st Runner-Up at Miss International 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.
Q7. What was Ahtisa Manalo’s result at Miss Universe 2025?
She finished as 3rd Runner-Up at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand. She also won the Best National Costume award.
Q8. Who was Ahtisa Manalo’s grandmother?
Her grandmother was one of the most important people in her life and helped support her education. Ahtisa dedicated her Miss Universe Philippines 2025 victory to her grandmother after her passing earlier that year.
Q9. Is Ahtisa Manalo an actress?
Yes. In 2026, she joined Sparkle GMA Artist Center and began her acting career. She is set to appear as Bathalumang Haliya in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.
Q10. Who is Ahtisa Manalo’s dream leading man?
Ahtisa has named Alden Richards as her dream leading man.
Q11. Is Ahtisa Manalo married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Ahtisa is married. She generally keeps her romantic life private.
Q12. What is Ahtisa Manalo’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not officially disclosed. She has income and business interests in several areas, including food and beverage, endorsements, modeling, and entertainment.
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