Ahtisa Manalo to continue NGO work after Miss Universe stint
Ahtisa Manalo confirmed that she will continue working with nonprofit organization Alon Akademie after her Miss Universe 2025 stint, saying that she will make sure that people from low income backgrounds will be given proper opportunities.
Manalo spoke about her work with Alon Akademie during the question and answer portion of the Miss Universe 2025 coronation show, wherein she mentioned her work with young people in Alon Akademie. Her answer and delivery earned her a powerful applause from the crowd.
In her Instagram page on Saturday, November 22, Manalo shared a snippet of her commitment to work with the nonprofit organization.
“I will continue working with @alonakademie using my platform to make sure that people who come from low income backgrounds are given the same opportunities as everyone else,” she said.
View this post on Instagram
Manalo first introduced Alon in her advocacy video for Miss Universe 2025’s “Beyond the Crown” competition, which was described as an organization that pushes for education as a source of leadership training and youth empowerment.
“We prepare workers, but rarely leaders. We train minds, but not always hearts,” she said. “Today, more than 2.1 million young Filipinos are not in school, not employed, and not trained — not because they lack potential, but because no one showed them how to use it.”
The pageant veteran bagged the third spot at the “Beyond the Crown” segment, while Paraguay’s Yanina Ojeda was named the winner.
In a separate post, the Filipina beauty queen said “winning goes beyond the title” despite her third runner-up finish.
“Winning goes beyond the title and the crown. I am proud to have represented the entire Philippines in the Miss Universe stage. Thank you for being with me until the end. Maraming salamat po mga kababayan!” she said.
View this post on Instagram
Despite failing to win the crown, Manalo put the Philippines back on the Miss Universe map after securing a spot in the Top 5. The last time the country finished on the Top 5 was Beatrice Luigi Gomez in 2021 in Israel.
Mexico’s Fatima Bosch was crowned as Miss Universe 2025, succeeding Victoria Theilvig of Denmark. /edv
