Ahtisa Manalo is undeniably one of the strongest Filipina candidates to grace the Miss Universe stage — a proven achiever with global experience, elegance, and effortless charm. But Miss Universe 2025, hosted in Thailand, could be as much a political chess game as a beauty competition.

  1. Pageant Politics – Papa Nawat and the Miss Grand International (MGI) network have a strong presence in Thailand, potentially shaping alliances, stage placements, and behind-the-scenes influence. Coupled with franchise loyalties and sponsorship power plays, politics may subtly tilt opportunities.
  2. Latin-Dominated Judges – With many Latin judges on the panel, cultural preferences and judging styles may subtly favor delegates with certain charisma or flair, making it a challenge for candidates outside that sphere.
  3. National Pressure – Representing the Philippines, a country with a near-religious pageant following, adds enormous expectations. Every smile, answer, and walk is scrutinized under a global spotlight.
  4. Narrative Saturation – Ahtisa has already competed in Miss International 2018 and Miss Cosmo 2024. Her story must feel fresh and compelling to capture judges’ attention anew.

Even with these challenges, Ahtisa’s grace, poise, and resilience make her a standout — showing the world that Filipina elegance should never be underestimated.

Bottom line: Ahtisa remains one of the most well-prepared and admired candidates in Miss Universe 2025. However, unpredictable judging trends, evolving standards, and external factors could shape her fate on coronation night — reminding fans that even the most deserving queens sometimes fall short, but never unnoticed.