AHTISA Manalo, the Philippines’ delegate to the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, is all set for the high-stakes competitions ahead of the coronation show on November 21 in Thailand.
One-hundred and 20 ladies, including Manalo, competing in the international tilt are now all back in Bangkok after going on a tour of Phuket and Pattaya where they took part in several pre-pageant activities.
The closed-door interview with all the 120 delegates have already been conducted on Nov. 15, while the ladies were still in Pattaya. The panel included Filipino singer Louie Heredia and California-based Filipino beauty entrepreneur Olivia Quido-Co, Vice President for Global Partnerships of the Miss Universe Organization.
Back in the Thai capital, the beauty queens have been busy rehearsing for the most important shows of the pageant, all scheduled within the week — the national costume (natcos) presentation, preliminary competition, and finale show.
The much-awaited national costume presentation, a showcase of culture and creativity, will be held at Hall 2 of Impact Challenger in Nonthaburi, northwest of Bangkok, on Nov. 19, at 1 P.M. (2 P.M. in Manila).
On the same day and in the same venue, the very important preliminary competition will take place. The program is set to run from 7 to 9 P.M. (8 to 10 P.M. in Manila).
Manalo’s national costume will be created by Mak Tumang, the same designer who made the iconic asymmetrical red lava gown worn by Catriona Gray when she took home the Miss Universe crown in 2018.
Manalo has called on Filipinos to support her by casting vote for her. This can be done by visiting the Miss Universe platform.
Several categories are open — People’s Choice, Beyond the Crown, Most Beautiful People, Most Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Best Skin, Best Evening Gown, and Best National Costume. Among these, the People’s Choice award will entitle the winning delegate a semifinals slot in the Top 30.
As of 1:40 a.m. of Monday, Manalo has already accumulated 1,017,244 votes, making her the highest in the People’s Choice category. Her closest rival for the category is Tangia Zaman Methila of Bangladesh with 953,588, followed by Inna Moll of Chile with 585,497.
Online voting on the official Miss Universe mobile app will end on Nov. 20.
The most beautiful day in the universe will be on Nov. 21, the date of the final competition that will also be held at Hall 2 of Impact Challenger in Nonthaburi.
Manalo previously said that she would be wearing a creation by Val Taguba at the coronation show. She also wore Taguba’s yellow cut-out “araw” design during the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 preliminaries.
The Quezon lass will vie for the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown, after Gray’s successful campaign, also in Thailand. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
