Ahtisa Manalo, isiniwalat ang medical condition niya na nagsanhi ng hormonal at weight fluctuations

• Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo is raising awareness for women's health by sharing her personal experience with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Diagnosed at 21, she originally disregarded her painful symptoms due to the stigma surrounding reproductive health conversations
• Ahtisa highlighted the career challenges posed by the condition's unpredictable weight fluctuations, which she faces while working as a beauty queen
• She aims to leverage her platform to encourage open dialogue about PCOS and reduce the shame surrounding the condition for Filipinas

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo is stepping into the spotlight to champion women’s health by candidly sharing her personal struggles with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). By speaking out, Ahtisa aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding hormonal disorders and offer support to others navigating similar medical challenges.

Ahtisa revealed that her diagnosis came at the age of 21. Reflecting on that period, she noted that conversations regarding menstruation and hormonal health were largely discouraged or considered taboo in social settings.

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“I think I found out I had PCOS mga siguro 21 na ’ko because it’s not a topic that people usually talk about, and honestly, I think for a while it was taboo to even speak about your period or your menstruation, especially with the things that come with it. For me, I always had painful periods and I thought it was normal,” Ahtisa said during a recent interview with New Moon PH founder Jonah Sison-Ramos.

For years, the beauty queen lived with the discomfort, assuming her experience was typical for most women. Because awareness and specific treatments were less accessible at the time, she felt there were few options available to manage the symptoms.

“For a very long time, I didn’t do anything about it because I didn’t know what to do because there were no medications or supplements available yet back then. You’re just stuck with warm compress and everything. You’re just stuck suffering every month really,” she added.

Beyond the physical pain, Ahtisa explained how the condition complicates her professional life. As a high-profile figure in the pageant and modeling industry, maintaining a specific physical appearance is often a requirement, but PCOS makes weight management unpredictable. She noted that hormonal fluctuations often override traditional diet and exercise efforts.

“Apart from the pain, it’s for me the weight fluctuation. That’s one thing that I struggle with because for my job, I have to maintain a certain kind of physique and sometimes hormonal changes. Sometimes when you try to say lose a little bit of weight ’cause you think you’re gaining weight, it’s hard. It’s not as calculated and easy to do because your hormones fluctuate, you just cannot do anything about it,” she said.

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The turning point for her advocacy arrived during the Miss Universe Philippines competition. Ahtisa explained that the presence of health-focused sponsors provided a natural bridge to discuss her condition publicly, something that rarely happens in casual conversation.

“Honestly, it was when (New Moon PH) became a sponsor in Miss Universe (that made me open up about PCOS). Because it was the perfect opportunity for anyone to talk about it. Because no one goes in, like a lunch or a coffee date that ‘Do you have PCOS?’ Wala namang gano’n normally,” she said.

By integrating her health journey into her platform, Ahtisa continues to encourage Filipinas to prioritize their well-being and seek professional help for symptoms they might otherwise ignore.

Ahtisa Manalo hails from Candelaria, Quezon, and first captured national attention as the first runner-up at Miss International 2018. After taking a break from pageantry, she made a remarkable return by winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 title. Known for her striking beauty and poised demeanor, Ahtisa further cemented her reputation as one of the country’s top beauty queens by placing third runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand.

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Ahtisa recently joined an acting workshop led by actress and coach Ana Feleo, marking her formal entry into the entertainment industry. She revealed that she had previously avoided showbiz, choosing instead to focus on her pageant career, but has now decided it’s the right time to explore acting.

During her contract signing with GMA Sparkle Artist Center, Ahtisa spoke out against the objectification of women. She highlighted how alarming it is that women are still treated as objects and underscored the need to call out inappropriate behavior before it becomes normalized, referencing ongoing discussions about Rep. Bong Suntay’s controversial comments on Anne Curtis.

Source: KAMI.com.gh