Ahtisa Manalo’s emotional answer highlights her journey from poverty to the Miss Universe stage

• Ahtisa Manalo delivered a heartfelt response during the Miss Universe 2025 Top 5 Q&A round
• She shared that she began joining pageants at age 10 to fund her education and support her family
• Her message emphasized resilience, persistence, and hope for people facing hardship
• Ahtisa’s powerful delivery strengthened her standing as one of the frontrunners for the crown

Ahtisa Manalo delivered one of the most striking moments of the evening during the Miss Universe 2025 Top 5 Q&A round held in Thailand.

When asked what she could contribute as a Miss Universe, she opened up about her personal journey, sharing the struggles she overcame long before stepping onto the global stage.

Standing with composure and conviction, she answered: "I wanna be the hope of people. I come from a very poor background. I started pageants at ten years old to put myself through school and to lift my family out of poverty. And if there's anything that I want to show the universe, I'm here right now and standing as Miss Universe because I was able to get myself out of any situation because I was hardworking. I was persistent and I fight for what I want."

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Her response struck an emotional chord with audiences worldwide. Beyond the glamour of the competition, Ahtisa’s story reflected the reality of many individuals striving to better their lives despite limited opportunities.

For her, joining pageants was not just a passion—it became a way to survive, pursue education, and uplift her family.

The Miss Universe 2025 competition has placed strong emphasis on authenticity and advocacy, and Ahtisa’s message perfectly aligned with that direction.

With several countries debuting and returning this year, the global stage has become even more competitive, yet Ahtisa’s sincerity and strength continue to make her stand out.

As the coronation night approaches, pageant fans believe she is among the strongest candidates capable of securing another crown for the Philippines.

Regardless of the final results, her inspiring Top 5 answer has already left a lasting mark—one that showcases hope, resilience, and the power of persistence.

Ahtisa Manalo is a Filipina beauty queen and businesswoman best known for representing the Philippines in international pageants, where she has earned recognition for her grace, intelligence, and advocacy work. She first rose to prominence after winning Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, later finishing as 1st Runner-Up at Miss International 2018 and becoming one of the Philippines’ strongest contenders in global competitions. Beyond pageantry, Manalo is an entrepreneur and an advocate for youth empowerment, working with organizations like Alon Akademie to provide opportunities for young people from low-income backgrounds. Known for her poise and warm personality, she has built a reputation as one of the Philippines’ most admired and respected beauty queens.

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In a previous report, Ahtisa Manalo, the newly crowned Miss Universe PH 2025, slipped and fell during the evening gown competition, causing a brief moment of tension in the venue. Despite the mishap, Ahtisa stood up quickly, smiled confidently, and continued her walk with poise and elegance.

In other news, before the pageant, Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch walked out of the hall after being scolded by Nawat Itsaragrisil in front of the candidates. Following this, several candidates from Latin America and other countries also followed and staged a walkout. The incident happened during the sashing ceremony of Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok.

Source: KAMI.com.gh