November 2, 2025 | 6:00pm
MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo radiated that winning glow in an all-white outfit adorned with a black ribbon (as a gesture of respect for the passing of Queen Sirikit) by Anthony Ramirez as she was warmly welcomed by droves of pageant fans and well-wishers at the NAIA Terminal 1 earlier today.
“It’s heartwarming to see everyone wake up so early to be here. This is the greatest push I can get before I leave and compete in Thailand,” Ahtisa said.
During her brief interview with the media, she shared her gameplan: “Me and my team prepared very well for this. So every step of the way, we have everything planned from the accessories, to the bags, to everything. Everyone can just expect that I’ll do my best to bring home the fifth crown to the Philippines.”
And the crowd exploded into cheers of “Sinong mananalo, Ahtisa Manalo!”
When asked about the best advice she received, Ahtisa shared: “You know the best advice I got is just to enjoy the journey. It’s just once in a lifetime thing.”
Message to Thai people and fans
The beauty queen expressed her sympathy to the Thai people with the recent demise of Queen Sirikit:
“We extend our condolences to the nation of Thailand. We understand a figure like Queen Sirikit is a figure of inspiration for the whole Thailand so it’s a sad thing that the queen passed away even before we could go there. Our condolences to the nation of Thailand.”
Ahtisa also shared a special message to her Thai fans.
“Thank you, thank you for the support. I know that there are a lot of you who support me. I really appreciate the support though you haven’t met me in person, I feel the love and support that I get from you and I’m very excited to meet you all.”
Present during her send off are her mother and sister, Miss Universe Philippines batch sisters, Miss Universe Philippines national director and Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner-up Ariella Arida, Miss Universe Philippines executive vice-president Voltaire Tayag, pageant coaches and the rest of Team Ahtisa.
Rock star arrival
The Filipinas beauty queen had a rock star welcome by Filipino and Thai fans in Bangkok.
For her arrival look, she wore a sage green modern Filipina-Thai, reminiscent of a Baro or Camisa by Anthony Ramirez that elicited raves from pageant fans for its simplicity and elegance. She joined other delegates from Sri Lanka and Hong Kong and will be starting the pre-pageant activities leading up to the preliminary competition on November 19 and finals night on November 21.
Ahtisa aims to be the bring home the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown and be the successor to Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig.
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