(UPDATE) MARIA Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 during the pageant's coronation night Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Manalo triumphed over 65 other candidates and will represent the Philippines at the upcoming 74th Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 21.

Teresita Ssen Marquez of Muntinlupa was named first runner-up, while Yllana Marie Aduan of Siniloan was second runner-up.

Shortly after the coronation night, the remaining members of the Top 6 were assigned to represent the country in upcoming international pageants. Katrina Llegado of Taguig City will compete in Miss Supranational 2026; Gabriella Carballo of Cebu City will represent the Philippines in Miss Eco 2026; and Chelsea Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat will vie for the Miss Cosmo 2025 title.

During the final question and answer segment, Manalo was asked: "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."

She replied, "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 the stage to be Miss Universe Philippines, because this is my and my grandmother's shared dream. And she passed away early this year. And this is my ode to her."

Manalo's answer resonated with the audience, especially after she slipped and fell earlier during the evening gown segment. Wearing a pink gown with detailed beadwork by Val Taguba, she stumbled while stepping down the stairs but quickly rose, smiled and finished her walk with confidence — earning cheers from the crowd.

On top of winning the national crown, Manalo also received five special awards: Miss Zonrox Colorsafe, Miss Vitress, Miss Mags, Miss Jewelmer, and Miss Hello Glow.

Speaking to the press after her coronation, Manalo shared how she felt winning the title saying, "I'm very happy but also overwhelmed; it hasn't really sunk in yet. Finally, I'm so happy. Thank you for the love and support; I really felt it all throughout."

"I'm going to take a rest first a little bit so I can plan after and see what my game plan is for Thailand," she added.

Manalo said she believed the signs had been pointing to her win even before the competition began.

"I wasn't even supposed to be Miss Universe Philippines Quezon Province; there was someone already. And then she backed out and then I was even in Laoag and I had to book a flight to get to the contract signing. And then it felt like I was being led in that direction, so I followed it because that really happens," she said.

"The competition was really tough because you've seen the Top 6 — any of us could have been crowned and still put up a strong fight in Thailand. I'm just so happy the judges chose me," Manalo said.

A seasoned pageant competitor, Manalo began her journey in 2017 when she represented the Niyogyugan Festival of Quezon Province in the Reyna ng Aliwan competition, where she finished second runner-up. She later represented the Philippines at Miss International 2018 and finished as first runner-up.

This year marked her second consecutive bid for the Miss Universe Philippines title, following a third-place finish in 2024. Right after, she competed at Miss Cosmo and landed in the Top 10.

Outside of pageantry, Manalo is a proud LGBTQ advocate and active with Alon Akademie, an organization focused on fostering global citizenship, social responsibility, and entrepreneurship among children.

The coronation event featured performances by James Reid and Marlo Mortel. It was hosted by Gabbi Garcia and Xian Lim, with Tim Yap and Erika Kristensen-Lee reporting from backstage. Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig, along with the Philippines' very own Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo and other continental titleholders, was in attendance.

So far, four Filipinas have won the Miss Universe crown: Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).

The coronation was livestreamed on Empire Philippines' YouTube channel and will be broadcast on GMA Network today, Sunday, May 4, at 9 a.m.