Ahtisa Manalo shares POV in Miss Universe walkout mess, runner-up finish

Ahtisa Manalo has shared her perspective on the viral confrontation involving Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, who was the eventual winner of Miss Universe 2025. 

Manalo, who represented the Philippines and finished as third runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, offered her firsthand account of the tense moment between Nawat and Bosch in a recent interview with Vice Ganda.

The incident occurred at a pre-sashing ceremony in November when Nawat singled-out Bosch for allegedly failing to comply with local promotional requirements. 

“Dumating siya (Nawat) tapos nagsabi siya there are 20 girls not cooperating with the organization daw. Sabi niya, ‘Oh, ta[Nawat] as niyo ‘yung kamay niyo, sino ‘yung 20 girls.’ Walang tumataas, ilang beses siya nagtanong,” Manalo narrated.

(He arrived and said that there were 20 girls allegedly not cooperating with the organization. He said, ‘Raise your hands, who are the 20 girls?’ No one raised their hand, and he asked several times.) 

Manalo said tension escalated after the question was repeatedly met with disregard, which eventually led to Bosch walking out of the conference hall with the other delegates following suit.

“Siguro ‘yung tita mo (Nawat) nagalit. Tapos ang ginawa niya, pinin-point niya si Miss Mexico,” she recalled. (Maybe that’s when ‘tita’ got angry. Then what he did was point to Miss Mexico.) 

“Ewan ko sinong unang pumitik sa kanila, pero sabi ni Miss Mexico sa kaniya, ‘Do you just like drama?’ So siguro ‘yung tita mo lalong nainis. Tapos pinatawag na ‘yung security,” she added. 

(I don’t know who snapped first, but Miss Mexico said to him, ‘Do you just like drama?’ So maybe that made ‘tita’ even more irritated. Then security was called.) 

When asked about claims circulating online that Nawat allegedly called Miss Mexico “dumb,” Manalo said she did not hear such a remark. 

“Not according to my hearing, eh medyo bingi din ako, hindi ako sure,” she explained. (Not according to what I heard. I have difficulty with hearing, so I’m not sure.) 

Earlier this month, Nawat filed a criminal complaint against Bosch over “repeated defamatory statements” made against him after their heated exchange. 

On third runner-up finish

Manalo also said she entertained the idea of the final two candidates being down to her and Miss Cote d’Ivoire Olivia Yace, who also made a strong presence during the pre-pageant events and at the coronation show.

Despite this and her articulate response during the two rounds of the question-and-answer segment of the show, Yace ended up getting the lowest of the five top contenders, while the seemingly weakest candidate among them — Bosch — took home the crown.

“I thought it was between me and Cote d’Ivoire during that night because I was able to hear everyone’s answer. Hindi ko man sila napanood kasi when you’re there, when you’re competing you focus on yourself, you don’t focus on other people. Pero kapag Q&A na, siyempre wala ka nang magagawa so makikinig ka na lang. So I thought it was between me and Cote d’Ivoire,” she said.

Still, Manalo said she was on “laban mode” (fight mode) that night, and said she gave a good fight in the pageant not only for herself, but for the country.

“Feel na feel ko yun e… Pag di ka naging confident sa sarili mo, it will show. I prepared for it,” she said.

New love

Meanwhile, Manalo also revealed that she is currently in a new relationship. 

“Bago lang kami (We’re still new),” she said, adding that she is not sure how many months they have been together already because they do not celebrate monthsaries.

The beauty queen noted that she and her new boyfriend got together after her Miss Universe 2025 stint. /edv