Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province is crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2025.
She bested the five other candidates with her winning answer in the question-and-answer portion.
Ahtisa was asked to share a personal anecdote showing how she has led by example.
Each of the six candidates was given a different question via draw lots; and most of them got questions that are related to the upcoming 2025 mid-elections.
Here's how they performed in the Q&A:
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SULTAN KUDARAT, Chelsea Lovely Fernandez
QUESTION: The national elections are in a week's time. Our national hero, Jose Rizal, wrote that the youth is the hope of the fatherland. How can our young people play an important role in our elections?
ANSWER: In our generation, youth has a strong personality. They have the power to choose and vote for the right leaders. That's why tonight, I would like to encourage our youth to be wise and select our leaders. Because when we are very wise about this, we can reach the tip of the universe. And the Philippines will definitely be progressive and productive as well. Thank you and good evening, Philippines!
SINiLOAN, LAGUNA, Yllana Aduana
QUESTION: If you were to be the governor or the mayor of the local government you are representing now, what would be the single most significant project that you would wish to accomplish and why?
ANSWER: I've always known myself to be a committed advocate of education. And I would definitely promote education empowerment across all genders in our municipality. Because we all understand that education is the key to open multiple doors of opportunities. The power that no one can ever take away from us. And the solution to feel more empowered and transformed. Thank you!
MUNTINLUPA, Winwyn Marquez
QUESTION: On May 12, 2025, our general elections will be held and we will be choosing our leaders. In your opinion, what is the most essential quality that we should look for in leaders? Why?
ANSWER: We should look for someone who has integrity. Someone who put people's welfare first before their own political wants and own needs. We should have a leader that is not politics as usual. But someone who will always put other people's wants and needs. Thank you!
TAGUIG CITY, KAT LLEGADO
QUESTION: Women in Philippine politics are still a minority. And here in Miss Universe Philippines, we talk about women empowerment. How will you help empower women and encourage them to participate in politics?
ANSWER: Women today deserve a seat in a table. This time, it's women. We are at par with men. We are trailblazers. We are leaders. And I think women are definitely a power, a force in the universe. Thank you!
CEBU CITY, Gabrielle Carballo
QUESTION: Just like our public officials, a beauty queen is a public figure whose life is under constant scrutiny. As a beauty queen, how do you maintain your authenticity amidst the expectations of the public?
ANSWER: As I've gotten older, I've learned that the most important thing is the posture of your heart. You have to ask yourself, am I putting out the best version of myself into the world? And is that something that is helping other people? I don't think there's a reason that we have to live on this earth if we're not impacting people positively. And so I hope all of us can move forward, take people next to us, and move to a better place in our society because as Filipinos, we can place love above all.
QUEZON PROVINCE, AHTISA MANALO
QUESTION: They say that a good leader leads by example. Tell us about one event in your life when you led by example and the impact it made.
ANSWER: I fell a while ago on stage. And the thing with me is, whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger. Last year, I was here on this stage and for the second time this year, I'm here putting everything on this stage to be Miss Universe Philippines because this is mine and my grandmother's shared dream. And she passed away early this year. And this is my ode to her.