Ahtisa Manalo reveals the budget beauty queens need for national pageants
Ahtisa Manalo, the reigning Miss Universe Philippines 2025, candidly addressed the financial demands that come with the pageant's glitz and glamour.
During her interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the beauty queen disclosed that aspiring contestants need to have at least half a million pesos ready to compete in major national beauty pageants.
"It takes a lot of money to be able to join a contest. Kailangan may pera ka," host Boy Abunda, who will be training her for the Q&A portion, said. "Can you give me an idea, more or less... for one to be able to join a contest, dapat ba may isang milyon, dalawang milyon?"
"Yes, at least half a million," Ahtisa responded, highlighting how "lucky" she was to her team for giving her help "without asking anything in return."
"You got to pay your hair [stylist], make-up [artist], your stylist, got to have pamasahe, [or] a money for food, and if you're not from Manila you got to have money for your rent," the 27-year-old stunner added.
When asked about her signature pasarela walk, Manalo named it the "Pambansang Manika Walk," a moniker given to her by her fans. She described the walk as embodying a "soft, demure, and powerful" style.
In the same interview, Manalo revealed her plans for the upcoming international pageant, saying that her main focus is "being fit."
"I've been sick three days before the finals and until now, I haven't gotten my voice back properly. And I wanted to give the Philippines a great fight, making sure that I'm 100% healthy. Because when you're healthy, your physical body, your mind follows, your confidence, and your gait. So, that's my main focus," she said.
Manalo reigned supreme at the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 2.
She is set to represent the Philippines on the global stage at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, which will take place on Nov. 21 at the Impact Muang Thong Thani Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Manalo is aiming to take home the fifth crown for the country after Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).
Manalo is no stranger to pageantry. She placed first runner-up at Miss International in 2018 and was able to enter the Top 10 at the inaugural stage of Miss Cosmo 2024.
