Maria Ahtisa Manalo is a name that resonates in the hearts of many Filipinos. From growing up in Candelaria, Quezon, to winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown, her journey is one of resilience, ambition, and grace.
In this comprehensive biography, we explore her early life, education, pageant journey, personal struggles, advocacy, and what the future holds for this inspiring beauty queen.
Bio Data
- Full Name: Ma. Ahtisa Manalo
- Born: May 25, 1997
- Age: 28 (as of November 2025)
- Birthplace: Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines
- Nationality: Filipino
- Occupation: Model, beauty pageant titleholder, entrepreneur
- Height: 173 cm (5’8″)
- Parents:
- Mother: Filipino-Spanish descent
- Biological father: Finnish-Swedish (named Ahti); they are estranged.
- Siblings: She has two younger half-siblings
- Spouse: Not married / Single
- Children: None known / publicly disclosed
- Relationship with Father: She has no close father-daughter relationship; “we don’t have a relationship … we speak every once in a while.”
- Net Worth: Estimated at around US$1.83 million
Early Life and Background
Ahtisa Manalo was born on May 25, 1997, in Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines. Her mother is of Filipino-Spanish descent, while her biological father is Finnish-Swedish, though she has spoken publicly about having little to no relationship with him. Raised primarily by her grandmother, she also received educational support from her godfather.
Education
Ahtisa initially dreamed of becoming a police officer and even applied to the Philippine National Police Academy. However, she later pursued what would become a strong foundation for her entrepreneurial ambitions: a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Quezon. Her business-minded nature was evident even during her studies; she has said that working with numbers helped her develop financial discipline and strategic thinking.
Pageantry Career
Early Pageants
Ahtisa’s pageant journey began at just 10 years old, when she competed in local contests to help pay for her schooling. In 2017, she joined Reyna ng Aliwan, representing the Niyogyugan Festival of Quezon, and placed as second runner-up.
Binibining Pilipinas 2018
In March 2018, Ahtisa competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2018. Her strong presence and composed responses carried her into the Top 15, and eventually she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2018. Later that year, she went on to represent the Philippines in Miss International 2018, where she placed 1st Runner-Up.
Return to Pageantry & Miss Cosmo
After some years away from national pageants, Ahtisa returned in Miss Universe Philippines 2024, representing Quezon Province. She placed as 2nd runner-up. Shortly afterward, she was appointed Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024. In the first-ever Miss Cosmo International 2024, she performed admirably, finishing in the Top 10.
Miss Universe Philippines 2025
On February 13, 2025, Ahtisa was reappointed as Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon, a last-minute decision after her local successor withdrew. Despite the pressure, she emerged as a frontrunner. During preliminaries, she won four special awards, signaling strong support from sponsors and audiences alike.
An iconic moment came during the evening gown competition: she stumbled after stepping on her gown, but quickly recovered. This display of poise and resilience proved vital. In her final Q&A, she dedicated her performance to her late grandmother, emphasizing her strength and the lessons she learned from her. Ultimately, she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025.
Miss Universe 2025
Ahtisa represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2025 held in Thailand. Her national costume, inspired by the mythical tiktik, was designed by Ehrran Montoya. When the final results came in, she placed as the third runner-up, a strong showing on the world stage.
Personal Life and Advocacy
Beyond pageantry, Ahtisa is a multifaceted individual with a strong sense of purpose.
Entrepreneurship
Ahtisa co-founded Visum Ventures, a food and beverage retail group. She has been involved in expanding several food brands, including Koomi, Oh My Greek, and Zig Foods, both in the Philippines and abroad. She also owns two cafes in Australia: Cafe Noun and Call Me Harris.
Advocacy
Ahtisa is a passionate advocate for youth development, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. She has worked with non-profit organizations like Alon Akademie, which teaches young people social skills and entrepreneurship. In interviews, she has spoken candidly about her own experiences with family, identity, and acceptance, including her openness about not having a relationship with her father.
Challenges and Triumphs
- Growing up without her father and being raised by her grandmother taught her resilience and emotional strength.
- She faced financial challenges, which motivated her to compete in pageants even at a young age.
- Her stumble during the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 evening gown competition became a defining moment, showing her ability to recover and shine under pressure.
- Losing her grandmother, to whom she dedicated her Miss Universe Philippines 2025 journey, was deeply emotional — but she used her platform to honor her memory.
- She remains vocal about allyship, standing firm for LGBTQ+ rights and encouraging acceptance.
Her journey has garnered praise from established pageant queens too — Catriona Gray hailed her win as proof that you should never give up on your dreams.
Legacy and Future
Ahtisa Manalo’s legacy is still being written. She is more than a beauty queen — she is a businesswoman, a role model, and an advocate. Her story resonates because she remains grounded to her roots in Quezon, while also dreaming big on the global stage.
As she continues her journey, her priorities are clear: using her platform to empower youth, champion equality, and grow her entrepreneurial ventures. Many believe she represents a new kind of beauty queen — one who combines substance with style, heart with hustle.
FAQs
Q: When was Ahtisa Manalo born?
A: She was born on May 25, 1997.
Q: What titles has she won?
A: Ahtisa has won:
- Binibining Pilipinas International 2018
- Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024
- Miss Universe Philippines 2025
Q: What’s her highest international pageant placement?
A: In Miss International 2018, she placed as 1st Runner-Up. During Miss Universe 2025, she was 3rd Runner-Up.
Q: What does she do besides pageants?
A: She’s an entrepreneur: she co-founded Visum Ventures and co-owns cafés (Cafe Noun, Call Me Harris) and supports food brands like Koomi, Oh My Greek, and Zig Foods. She also advocates for youth development and LGBTQ+ rights.
Q: Has she met her biological father?
A: She has publicly said she has little to no relationship with her biological father, and that absence has deeply impacted her growing up.
Q: What are her advocacies?
A: Her main advocacies are gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and youth empowerment.
Conclusion
Ahtisa Manalo’s life is a powerful reminder that where you start doesn’t define how far you can go. From a young girl in Quezon determined to pay for her studies, to a beauty queen crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025, to a businesswoman and advocate — her story inspires many. She embodies resilience, compassion, and ambition. As she continues to use her platform for good, Ahtisa proves that beauty is not just about a crown — it’s about purpose.
