Ahtisa Manalo returned to the Miss Universe stage with the quiet confidence of a woman who knows exactly what she came to do. In the preliminary competition held on Wednesday night at Impact Challenger Hall 2 in Nonthaburi, Thailand, the 25-year-old Filipina delivered a performance that felt less like a rehearsal for the finals and more like a preview of what a future Miss Universe looks like.
Her now-famous pivot—a move she debuted in last year’s national pageant before it exploded across social media—once again set the tone. Manalo opened her swimsuit walk with the signature flourish: a controlled hip thrust, a slow turn, and an abrupt pivot that hit with the precision of choreography and the calmness of instinct. Fans inside the venue erupted, some even echoing her viral move from the stands.
Manalo stepped out in a cobalt two-piece from Bench’s Power of Love collection, the official swimwear line for the 74th Miss Universe edition. This year’s swimwear palette—drawn from the seven colors of the Pride flag—aligned with the Miss Universe Organization’s amplified push toward inclusivity, representation, and progressive visibility. While delegates had the freedom to choose between one-piece suits, two-pieces, and culturally appropriate full-coverage options, Manalo embraced a minimalist, athletic silhouette that highlighted her conditioning and long, fluid lines.
But it was her evening-gown appearance that transformed the energy inside the arena.
Mak Tumang, the designer behind some of the most iconic garments worn by Filipina queens on the global stage, crafted a bejeweled masterpiece for Manalo—this time inspired by the quiet power of pearl oysters. The gown shimmered in ocean-deep hues, its bodice bursting with iridescent crystal clusters that mimicked a shell’s inner glow. A high slit carved through the skirt like a beam of light underwater, revealing both movement and strength. Floral gold appliqués added the warmth of sunbeams meeting the sea.
The effect was serene yet commanding—exactly the kind of duality Tumang is known for, and precisely the kind of imagery that resonates with Filipinos at home.
Observers noted that the 2025 preliminaries were far more expansive than last year’s abbreviated presentation, giving each of the 120 delegates more time on stage. The format change worked in Manalo’s favor as she executed each segment with remarkable consistency—no rushed steps, no hesitation, just a performance calibrated for global scrutiny.
With public voting now live on the Miss Universe app, fans may continue pushing Manalo closer to the semifinals through the People’s Choice category, along with voting for Best Evening Gown and other special awards.
The final show will unfold on Friday morning, November 21, at the same venue, where reigning queen Victoria Kjær Theilvig will crown her successor. For Filipino pageant supporters, the moment carries weight: it has been seven years since Catriona Gray last brought the Miss Universe crown home from Thailand.
Whether the Philippines scores its fifth crown remains to be seen—but after last night’s preliminaries, one thing is clear. Ahtisa Manalo is no longer just a crowd favorite. She is a contender shaping the conversation, raising expectations, and rewriting what a modern Filipina representative can look like on the world’s most watched beauty stage.
