MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos will have to wait longer for Ahtisa Manalo’s return, as her arrival in the country has been postponed. Despite the delay, the Filipina beauty reassured her fans, promising to continue her efforts for the Philippines even after bidding farewell to pageantry.
Miss Universe Philippines announced that Ahtisa’s scheduled return following last Friday’s coronation in Thailand has been moved to a new date, which will be announced soon.
Ahtisa, who finished as third runner-up and placed third at the Beyond the Crown advocacy project competition, said goodbye to pageantry after 18 years. She also won Best National Costume, which was made by designer Mak Tumang.
“After 18 years, I have finally arrived at my ultimate destination that is to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe stage. My pageant journey may end, but the work continues. Let’s continue fighting for what we want — a better Philippines and a better universe,” she wrote on her social media post today, November 23.
Last Friday’s coronation was marred by controversy and intrigues after the result showed Mexico’s Fatima Bosch clinch the Latin American country’s fourth Miss Universe title.
Allegations of vote rigging piled up to the scandal-hit 74th edition of Miss Universe held in Bangkok, which had earlier faced drama between Bosch and the Thai Miss Universe executive Nawat Itsaragrisil during the pre-sashing ceremony earlier this month and the resignations of two judges prior to the coronation.
Ahtisa said that winning goes beyond the crown and title. She thanked her fans and fellow Filipinos for staying with her throughout her Miss Universe journey.
“…I fight for what I want. Philippines, you’re worth fighting for,” Ahtisa wrote in another Instagram post.
The 28-year-old pageant veteran has represented the country in other international competitions. She competed and ended as first runner-up at Miss International 2018 in Japan, the same year that she and Catriona Gray joined Binibining Pilipinas. Gray eventually bagged the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe title.
Ahtisa again represented the country in Miss Cosmo 2024 in Vietnam, where she finished in the Top 10.