December 27, 2025 | 11:52am
SAN JUAN, La Union — Life after pageantry is treating Ahtisa Manalo well after the reigning Miss Universe Philippines confirmed she is now seeing someone.
Ahtisa said so as much in an interview with host-comedian Vice Ganda on the latter’s YouTube channel, a vlog that went viral after the two discussed the beauty queen’s experience at Miss Cosmo last year.
Right after that discussion, Vice straight up asked Ahtisa if she already had a boyfriend, prompting laughter from the two.
The beauty answered in the affirmative, adding that the relationship became official just recently, after the conclusion of this year’s Miss Universe competition.
“Taray, so tapos na ang trabaho, lambot-lambutan ka naman,” Vice quipped, to which Ahtisa replied, “Work-life balance!”
Ahtisa also said they didn’t celebrate monthsaries as most people her generation do, however, she is keeping to herself the date she and her boyfriend made it official.
After feigning annoyance, Vice agreed with Ahtisa’s decision to embrace their personal life.
“Kailangan may ganyan, kailangan may times na lambot-lambutan, sikip-sikipan muna tayo, hindi puro trabaho ‘day. Nakaka-chaka din ang mga ganoon,” Vice said, to which Ahtisa summarized as “inspiration.”
Ahtisa finished as the third runner-up of Miss Universe 2025, a controversial result as many believed she deserved to finish higher or even win.
“After 18 years, I have finally arrived at my ultimate destination that is to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe stage. My pageant journey may end, but the work continues. Let’s continue fighting for what we want — a better Philippines and a better universe,” she wrote on social media a couple of days after the competition. — Video from Vice Ganda’s YouTube channel
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