Ahtisa Manalo, kinuwestiyon ang paniniwalang kailangan ng advocacy sa pageant
- Ahtisa Manalo clarified that having an advocacy is not a requirement for beauty pageant contestants
- The Miss Universe Philippines 2025 titleholder said advocacy is a valuable addition but not a necessity
- Ahtisa suggested that Catriona Gray's example may have influenced aspiring beauty queens to believe they need an advocacy
- Gazini Ganados and Yllana Aduana also shared their perspectives on advocacy and the evolving pageant scene
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Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo emphasized that having an advocacy is not a requirement for beauty pageant contestants, explaining that while supporting a cause is a valuable addition, it should not be treated as a prerequisite for joining competitions.
Source: Facebook
Ahtisa shared her perspective during her appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on Monday, October 19, as host Boy Abunda revisited Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz's observation that pageant question-and-answer portions have become rehearsed and that some contestants' advocacy statements amount to little more than talk.
“I think meron kasing perception 'yung mga bagong sumasali sa pageant na kapag nagpa-pageant sila, dapat may advocacy sila. Pero that's not really the case.”
The beauty queen explained that aspiring contestants may mistakenly believe they must already have a cause or organization to support before entering a pageant.
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“It's not a need. It's a great plus to have something that you're fighting for that's bigger than yourself, but hindi siya requirement.”
Ahtisa also pointed to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray as a possible influence behind this perception. She suggested that Catriona's example of supporting an organization may have contributed to the belief among newer contestants that they, too, must have an established advocacy.
For Ahtisa, however, supporting a meaningful cause should be viewed as an advantage rather than a condition for competing.
Her fellow beauty queens also discussed the expectations surrounding advocacy in pageantry, offering different perspectives on how contestants demonstrate their commitment to causes and present themselves to the public.
Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, for instance, stressed that people who genuinely want to help others do not necessarily need to publicize their actions online.
“If you're giving with a grateful heart, you don't need to post it. So why do you need to publish it online na 'O, I'm still doing my advocacy, I'm still the same person that I was before,'”
Gazini further explained that she believes a person's integrity should speak for itself rather than depend on public declarations.
“Parang for me, if your integrity really is there, you don't need to show everyone that 'I'm still the same person that was before,' and they don't need to know.”
Meanwhile, Miss Philippines Earth 2023 Yllana Aduana agreed that the pageant industry has changed over time, noting that contestants' performances and answers can influence how audiences perceive them.
“I feel like it's okay. Okay lang naman, like it's a good improvement. Pero yes, iba talaga 'yung perception ng tao. 'Yung magiging view talaga, it really depends on the queen. Kung paano niya iha-handle 'yung sarili niya with regards to the Q&A,”
The discussion highlighted the different expectations placed on modern beauty queens, particularly when it comes to advocacy, public image, and authenticity. Ahtisa's remarks underscored her view that supporting a cause can be meaningful without making it a mandatory qualification for aspiring contestants.
Maria Ahtisa Manalo is a Filipino model, businesswoman, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 and finished as the 3rd runner-up at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. Previously, she represented the Philippines at Miss International 2018 where she placed as the 1st runner-up.
In another report, Ahtisa Manalo caught the attention of social media users after directly responding to a netizen who commented on the appearance of her shoulder in a social media post. Rather than ignoring the remark, the beauty queen addressed it, prompting reactions from online users. Many expressed support for Ahtisa, and the exchange eventually became a topic of discussion after it circulated online.
Meanwhile, Gazini Ganados opened up about how her support for Palestine has influenced her dealings with certain brands. The beauty queen shared that she sometimes avoids or boycotts brands she believes support Israel. The Filipino-Palestinian star emphasized that her stance comes from her concern for humanity rather than hostility toward Israeli people. She also explained that the conflict is deeply personal to her because several members of her family, including her father, are in Palestine.
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