Ahtisa Manalo feels 'senti' as she prepares to pass on MUPH crown

Ahtisa Manalo is feeling sentimental as she prepares to pass on her Miss Universe Philippines crown to the next queen in less than a month. 

In Nelson Canlas' report on "24 Oras" Wednesday, the Filipina beauty queen and Sparkle star shared that she is enjoying the remaining time she has with the crown. 

"In-e-enjoy ko muna. May konting oras pa. Naka-display na siya sa cabinet ko, Every time papasok ako, andun 'yung crown. Parang nagsisimula na 'ko maging senti, nag-e-emote na 'ko, 'pag nag-da-drive ako pauwi, ini-imagine ko, 'ang tagal ko pinagtrabahuhan 'to,'" she said. 

The Miss Universe Philippines 2026 is set to hold its coronation night on May 1. With this, Ahtisa gave some words of wisdom for the pageant's candidates. 

"Make sure that you surround yourself with the right people kasi when you're there competing, it's very important that you keep your peace within yourself," she advised. 

"There are gonna be a lot of voices, there are gonna be a lot of opinions, and critics, pero you have to make sure that you selectively listen kung ano lang 'yung makakatulong sa 'yo in the journey," she added. 

Ahtisa made her debut in "Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre" as Bathalumang Haliya on Tuesday's episode. 

According to Ahtisa, she watched the episode with her mom and sibling, noting that it felt different to see herself portraying a different character onscreen. 

"Sabi ko, nakikita ko 'yung sarili ko sa mga videos, sa phone na ako, pero 'yung time na 'yun, nakita ko 'yung sarili ko na nag-po-portray ng ibang character. Iba 'yung excitement. May kaba pero parang medyo kinilig din ako, oh my God, kasi dati, pinapanood ko lang ;yung 'Encantadia', tapos now naging part na 'ko," she said. 

Wednesday's episode will give viewers a deeper look into Bathalumang Haliya, as well as her history with Gargan (Tom Rodriguez). 

"Yung kagabi, hindi ako masyado kinabahan kasi pagkakita ko, ah mukhaan lang, okay, ano ko 'yan, nagawa ko na 'yan before pero 'yung mamayang gabi magsasalita na 'ko. Mag-a-action na 'ko, so excited ako na kinakabahan kung paano tatanggapin ng tao at kung paano ko tatanggapin 'yung sarili ko," she added. 

Ahtisa signed with Sparkle in March. 

She won the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 title and placed third runner-up in the international pageant.

"Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre" airs weeknights on GMA Prime at 8 p.m. after "24 Oras." 

—CDC, GMA News