Ahtisa Manalo didn't need the crown — she already had a business empire
Ahtisa Manalo has proven that success goes beyond pageant titles. While many recognise her from the world of beauty competitions, Ahtisa was already building her own path through business and entrepreneurship. Her story highlights how ambition and strategy can create lasting success even without a crown.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Ahtisa Manalo's profile summary
- Ahtisa Manalo's biography
Key takeaways
- She began her entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 20, showing early independence.
- Her first ventures included cafes in Australia, reflecting a global business outlook.
- Through Visum Ventures, she helped expand multiple food brands across the Philippines.
- She held leadership roles such as CFO and later CMO, highlighting her corporate experience.
- Her degree in Accountancy contributed to her strong financial and business decisions.
Ahtisa Manalo's profile summary
Category | Details |
Name | Ahtisa Manalo |
Date of Birth | May 27, 1997 |
Place of Birth | Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines |
Age | 28 (as of 2026) |
Nationality | Filipino |
Ethnicity | Filipino |
Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Height | Approx. 5’8” (173 cm) |
Hair Colour | Black |
Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Profession | Beauty queen, model, entrepreneur |
Net Worth | Estimated $1–3 million (unconfirmed) |
Social Media | Instagram: @ahtisamanalo |
Ahtisa Manalo's biography
Maria is a prominent Filipina beauty queen, model, and entrepreneur, crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025. She was previously Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, Miss International 2018 1st runner-up, and Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024. She is also a businesswoman, co-owning cafes in Australia.
Ahtisa Manalo's full name is Maria Ahtisa Manalo. She was born on May 27, 1997, making her age 28 as of 2026. Known for her elegance and intelligence, she has built a name for herself in both pageantry and business.
Ahtisa Manalo was born in Candelaria and grew up in a close-knit family shaped by strong maternal influence. Her mother, Elise Manalo, played a central role in her upbringing, especially during her early childhood.
A significant part of Ahtisa Manalo’s background is being raised by her stepfather, Ahti, who married her mother when she was five years old. He became a steady father figure in her life, helping provide support and guidance as she grew up. Her biological father was largely absent, a reality she has had to navigate from a young age.
She claims that her father's absence also shaped her perspective on relationships. Transparently, Ahtisa clarified.
“I think I have abandonment issues. Kasi you got to think about it na parang [daddy issues], exactly. Kasi...yung responsibilidad nung tatay mo is to take care of you. So iniisip ko kung yung tatay ko nga hindi magawa yun, paano pa kaya yung ibang tao.”
Is Ahtisa Manalo mixed?
Yes, Ahtisa Manalo is of mixed heritage. She was born to a Filipino-Spanish mother and a Finnish-Swedish father, giving her a diverse cultural background that blends both European and Filipino roots. She was also raised by her grandmother, which influenced her upbringing and values.
Who are the biological parents of Ahtisa Manalo?
Manalo was named after her biological father, Ahti. She was raised by her grandmother with financial support from her godfather for her education.
Source: Original
Educational background
Her business success is backed by a strong academic foundation. She graduated with a degree in Accountancy from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, equipping her with the financial and strategic skills needed to run multiple ventures.
What is the degree of Athisa Manalo?
Ahtisa Manalo holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) in Quezon, Philippines.
Ahtisa Manalo’s Business empire and career
Manalo pursued pageantry out of passion rather than necessity, having already built a strong foundation in business early on. Before winning Miss Universe Philippines 2025 and finishing as 3rd runner-up at Miss Universe 2025, she had established herself as a young entrepreneur, starting at just 20 years old.
Early business ventures
At the age of 20, Ahtisa Manalo launched her first business in Australia. She opened Cafe Noun, located inside a library, and Call Me Harris, situated in a park—both reflecting her early interest in the food and beverage industry.
Visum Ventures and brand expansion
In 2019, she co-founded Visum Ventures, a food and beverage retail group. Through this company, she played a key role in developing and expanding brands such as Koomi (natural drinking yoghurt), Oh My Greek, and Zig Foods. Her leadership helped grow the portfolio to five brands with over 100 branches nationwide in the Philippines.
Leadership roles
Ahtisa Manalo took on major corporate responsibilities within her company. She served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) until 2022, overseeing financial operations, before transitioning to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in 2023, where she focused on brand growth and strategy.
How old was Ahtisa Manalo when she won Miss International?
Ahtisa Manalo was 20 years old when she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2018. While she did not win the Miss International 2018 title itself, she finished as the 1st Runner-up at the international pageant. She was known as the youngest winner in her batch at 20.
In an additional interview with journalist Kara David, Ahtisa pondered her path through pageantry, expressing that it was the ideal way to conclude that part of her life.
“I feel like this is the perfect way to close that chapter of my life,” she remarked, adding, “I'm happy because I feel like I closed that chapter of doing pageants in a nice manner.”
Are Bianca Manalo and Ahtisa Manalo related?
No, Bianca Manalo and Ahtisa Manalo are not related, despite sharing the same surname and both being prominent Philippine beauty queens. They are distinct individuals who achieved success in different pageants, with Ahtisa hailing from Quezon Province and having a different family background.
Ahtisa Manalo's height and weight
In terms of physical attributes, Ahtisa Manalo stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) in height. Her weight is not publicly disclosed, but she maintains a fit and healthy lifestyle suitable for pageantry and modelling.
Before gaining major recognition in international pageants, Ahtisa was already building her career in business. Before winning major titles, she had ventured into entrepreneurship, opening cafes in Australia and later co-founding a food and beverage company, showing her ambition early on.
Ahtisa Manalo’s net worth
Her net worth is not officially confirmed. Ahtisa's income sources include business ventures, endorsements, and pageant-related opportunities.
Other interesting facts about the model
Let’s get to know her more:
- She has a mixed ethnicity (Swedish, Spanish, Filipino, and Finnish).
- She is a big fan of actress Melanie Marquez.
- The 22-year-old was a festival queen before joining Bb Pilipinas.
- She grew up around boys.
Ahtisa Manalo’s journey shows that true achievement is not defined by titles alone. With her growing ventures and strong business mindset, she continues to establish her name beyond pageantry. Ahtisa Manalo stands as an example of independence, proving that success can come in many forms.
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