A year after a second runner-up finish, the reign of Quezon Province’ Ahtisa Manalo as Miss Universe Philippines has finally come.

She took home the long-desired crown during the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Coronation Night on Friday, May 2 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

Ahtisa shone in her lavender pink glitter-beaded long gown when she donned for the very first time the coveted Jewelmer crown of MUPH, handed over by former title holder Chelsea Manalo (whom she incidentally shares the same surname with) of Bulacan.

The 27-year-old pageant queen from Candelaria, Quezon, in her third vie for the country’s top prize in pageantry, bested 65 other bets from all over the archipelago, which featured seasoned vets and familiar names. 

Placing second overall (first runner-up) was Sparkle artist and former Reina Hispanoamericana titleholder Teresita Winwyn Marquez of Muntinlupa; while crowd-favorite and Miss Earth - Air 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna was second runner-up.

The three other finalists who figured in the prestigious Top 6, respectively awarded with three international titles, were newly-appointed Miss Philippines Eco International 2025 Gabriella Mai Carballo of Cebu City, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025 Chelsea Lovely Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat, and Miss Supranational 2026 Maria Katrina Llegado. 

Rounding out the Top 12 were Gwendoline Meliz Soriano (Baguio), Tyra Rae Goldman (Bohol), Juliana Fresado (Iligan), Eloisa Jauod (Laguna), Amanda Russo (Pasay), and Bianca Ysabella Rei Ylanan (Quirino). 

Ahtisa’s win serves as the perfect conclusion to such a  storied journey to the crown– from winning Binibining Pilipinas-International in 2018, to a second runner-up finish and Miss Cosmo PH appointment at last year’s MUPH, to finally claiming the most coveted title. 

The pride of Quezon Province will be the country’s bet at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand later this year, where she will look to win the Philippines’ fifth crown.