Miss Philippines Ahtisa Manalo arrived on November 25 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where she was greeted by fans and members of the press.
Manalo recently completed her Miss Universe 2025 run as third runner-up, the highest placement that the Philippines has achieved at the prestigious global pageant in three years.
Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch took home the Miss Universe crown this year, although her win has already been called into question. French-Lebanese composer Omar Harfouch, who resigned from his Miss Universe judging post shortly before coronation night, has since publicly accused the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) of having determined Bosch as the winner even before her coronation. In a series of Instagram posts, Harfouch claimed that Bosch’s family and MUO president Raul Rocha have “confirmed financial and political ties,” making the decision to crown Bosch as Miss Universe biased.
Rocha has since denied Harfouch’s allegations. “The musician, whom nobody knew, turned out to be an opportunist, and anyone with good judgment can see how an unknown person tried to latch onto the fame of Miss Universe to gain followers,” wrote Rocha in his official response posted on Instagram.
For her part, Manalo has urged her supporters to accept the pageant’s final results. “It’s not under our control anymore,” the pageant queen said during an interview with ABS-CBN. “All we can do is do the best under our control, and that’s it. Whatever the result is, we have to accept it. That’s what the organization announced.”
Manalo was also asked about the recent news of the pageant’s fourth runner-up, Miss Côte d’Ivoire Olivia Yacé, renouncing her position as Miss Universe Africa and Miss Oceania. She responded that she had not yet read the official statement.
Manalo then emphasized that she plans to continue her advocacy work, collaborating with groups such as the international non-governmental organization, Save the Children.
