Ahtisa Manalo on Miss Universe rigging allegations: ‘With no facts, it is what it is’

Ahtisa Manalo has chosen to move on from all the issues surrounding the Miss Universe 2025 competition, which marked her last hurrah in pageantry after 18 years.

On Wednesday’s episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the beauty queen from Quezon Province said she was laser-focused on performing her best on the Miss Universe stage, to the point that she was unaware of all the controversies happening during the pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand.

When asked about her assessment of the rigging allegations circulating online, Ahtisa stood firm that unless these were confirmed, she would not believe them.

“I’ve been in pageants for 18 years, and I know that not all news is factual when it comes to pageants,” she said. “It’s hard to know kung ano ang chismis at ano 'yung totoo.”

“So for me, I always make sure that I don’t judge based on what I hear, especially if there is no evidence to it,” she added. “If I’m presented facts, then I might change my opinion, but with no facts, it is what it is.”

Ahtisa also said that there are things in life we won’t always agree with, and the same goes for pageant results.

“And to me, tapos na siya, wala na tayo magagawa about it,” she said. “Let’s just move on with our lives.”

In the same episode, she made it clear that she was never offered the Miss Universe Asia 2025 title.

Ahtisa ended her Miss Universe 2025 journey as a third runner-up. She returned to the country in late November after her stint at Miss Universe 2025 held in Bangkok.

On Tuesday, she held a homecoming parade where she was warmly welcomed by her kababayans and a sea of fans.

Ahtisa finished as third runner-up in Miss Universe 2025, marking the end of her pageantry journey after 18 years.

Mexico's Fatima Bosch won the crown. 

—Hermes Joy Tunac/CDC, GMA Integrated News