Ahtisa Manalo tops Missosology's latest Hot Picks for Miss Universe 2025

Ahtisa Manalo took the number one spot in Missosology’s latest Hot Picks for Miss Universe 2025.

The Philippines’ bet was named by the pageant website as Miss Universe “not only for her poise and polish but for a story of persistence, depth and national pride.”

Missosology added that Ahtisa has a legion of fans both in the Philippines and Thailand.

“She is just in perfect form showing undeniable aura and palpable confidence,” Missosology said.

“A victory by Ahtisa would carry symbolic weight. She will be the country’s 5th titleholder and thus will cement Philippines’ status as pageant superpower.” 

Completing the Top 5 are Colombia’s Vanessa Pulgarin, Croatia’s Laura Gnjatovic, Puerto Rico’s Zashely Alicea, and Thailand’s Praveenar Singh.

Ahtisa arrived in Thailand on Sunday. She is vying for the country's fifth Miss Universe crown.

Miss Universe 2025 is scheduled to take place in Thailand on November 21.

The pageant has been bogged down by several issues in the last few days. On Wednesday, the Miss Universe Organization restricted the participation of Miss Universe Thailand national director Nawat Itsaragrisil in the pageant.

In a video statement, MUO president Raul Rocha expressed his "great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fatima Bosch," the candidate from Mexico, "whom he humiliated, insulted, and he showed a lack of respect."

Rocha said Nawat did "serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman.”

Nawat has apologized for what happened.

The MUO and the MUT also had friction over the "Special Dinner & Talk Show" campaign launched by the latter. The MUO called the event unauthorized but the MUT said they have the right to execute such promotional activities as the host country.

The “Special Dinner & Talk Show” was cancelled on Thursday. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News