MANILA, Philippines — She’s “OK.” Newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2025 Maria Ahtisa Manalo assured everyone she was unharmed — at least, as of the post-event interview — after stumbling on stage during the evening gown segment at the just-concluded pageant held Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Looking truly sophisticated in a pink gown by Val Taguba, the titleholder representing Quezon Province was asked if she was hurt following the fall. “I don’t think so. Not right now,” she told the press in an interview, shortly after the coronation event.

She was also queried if she’s injured and she said, “I don’t know. I think I still have that adrenaline. I don’t know kung kamusta yung paa ko but laban lang. Haha!”

Ahtisa, a heavy crowd favorite from the start, furthered, “I got caught in my dress and then after I fell down, all I wanted was to get back up.” She added that she didn’t entertain the thought that the fall would affect the results and all she wanted was to immediately recover from the incident and move on.

And she did, slaying and nailing down the competition all the way to the question-and-answer portion where she even mentioned the fall.

She was asked, “They say that a good leader leads by example. Tell us about one event in your life when you led by example and the impact it made?”


Ahtisa Manalo ‘falls THEN rises’ to win MUPH 2025 crown

The Top 6 finalists, from left, are Sultan Kudarat’s Chelsea Fernandez, Muntinlupa’s Winwyn Marquez, Cebu City’s Gabriella Carballo, Ahtisa, Taguig’s Katrina Llegado, and Siniloan, Laguna’s Yllana Aduana. —Photo from MUPH’s Facebook page

The 27-year-old delivered a very personal response, drawing something positive from what happened to her earlier. “I fell a while ago on stage. The thing with me is, whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger,” she said.

“Last year, I was here on this stage, and for the second time this year, I’m here putting everything on this stage to be Miss Universe Philippines, because this is mine and my grandmother’s shared dream, and she passed away early this year. This is my ode to her.”

It was a winning answer that earned her the MUPH 2025 title, besting the other 65 delegates. She will represent the Philippines at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand on Nov. 21.

Ahtisa was born on May 25, 1997 in Candelaria, Quezon and earned a degree in accountancy from Enverga University.

She’s also a model and a businesswoman who started joining local pageants at an early age.

She was named Bb. Pilipinas International in 2018 and went on to become first runner-up in the Miss International tilt in the same year. In last year’s MUPH pageant, she became second runner-up and was appointed as Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024 where she was a Top 10 finalist at the international edition. Finally, she clinched the MUPH 2025 crown this year.

“Finally, I’m so happy. Thank you for all the support and love. I really felt it all throughout,” expressed Ahtisa. “I’m gonna take a rest first, a little bit, and then plan. (I’ll) see what my game plan is for Thailand.”

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Prior to joining this year’s MUPH edition, she already felt “so many signs” that she was destined to be in her place.

“I had so many signs before I could join MUPH,” she shared. “I wasn’t supposed to be Miss Universe Quezon Province. There was someone already and then she backed out.

“And then, I was in Laoag and I had to book a flight to get to the contract signing. Even that happened. It felt like I was getting led on that way. So, I followed it ‘cause that rarely happens.”

She also noted how tough the competition was this year. “You’ve seen the Top 6. Any of us could be crowned and we would still have a good fight in Thailand. I was just happy that the judges chose me.”

Later that night, after the MUPH crowning moment, Winwyn Marquez of Muntinlupa was announced as first runner-up while Yllana Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna was second runner-up.

Sultan Kudarat’s Chelsea Fernandez was named Miss Philippines Cosmo 2025, Taguig’s Katrina Llegado was Miss Philippines Supranational 2025, and Gabriella Carballo of Cebu City was Miss Philippines Eco International 2025.

The coronation night was hosted by Xian Lim and Gabbi Garcia while Erika Kristensen-Lee and Tim Yap served as backstage hosts.

Among the performers were James Reid and Marlo Mortel.

The panel of judges includes Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi; Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee; The Philippine STAR Lifestyle columnist, former model and entrepreneur Rissa Mananquil-Trillo; Kapuso actress Bianca Umali, among others.

Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo took her final walk and delivered her speech toward the end of the program before passing the crown to her successor, Ahtisa.