Recommended Video
After years of chasing the crown and falling just short, Ahtisa Manalo thought it was time to hang up the sash. But when the universe sends you five undeniable signs, you listen.
Manalo has always believed in both fate and the power to rewrite our own destinies. “I think when something goes right in my life, I believe that it’s destiny. And if something is not going my way, I believe that I can rewrite my life,” she said, seated in front of the vanity mirror. And with both destiny and determination in her arsenal, Manalo decided to give it one more shot.
RELATED: The Misstep that Made Ahtisa Manalo Miss Universe Philippines 2025
Sign #1: A Seat at the Table
The first sign came when the original representative of Quezon Province withdrew from the competition. With no one to stand for the province, it felt like a cosmic cue meant for the beauty queen. “One of the officers of Ms. Universe said that I can represent my province again,” she recalled.
Sign #2: A Familiar Stage
The second came in the form of Thailand, where this year’s Miss Universe competition will be held. “The last time a Filipino won in Miss Universe was in Thailand, and it was my batchmate, Catriona Gray,” Manalo realized. At this point, it was more than a sign—it was a hopeful omen that history might repeat itself.
Sign #3: Beauty Beyond Borders
“A salon in Southeast Asia used my photo as a reference and tagged me,” the beauty queen said, recalling the third sign. While not entirely sure which country it was, it was enough for her to think that it was no longer coincidental.
“At first, I thought it was from Thailand,” Manalo chuckled. “And I believe that I have a market that I can tap into there.” Maybe it wasn’t a Thai salon at all, but if other Asians are backing her for support, it seemed like the world was there to watch her win this time.
Sign #4: A Message She Needed
The fourth came when a friend, out of nowhere, encouraged her to compete again—a message that stayed with her. “This was with no prior conversation about Miss Universe. She said, ‘I’ll support you if you join. I think it’s your time,’” she said, bewildered.
Sign #5: Fate Saved Her a Seat
The final sign came a day before her contract signing. “Based on my schedule, I didn’t think I’d make it to Manila. But when I looked, there were exactly five seats left,” she reminisced, a moment that made her feel the stars were truly aligning.
Following the Stars
More than fate, the passing of her grandmother also caused a shift in Manalo’s mindset, playing a crucial role. “In the past, I would let opportunities pass because I felt like I wasn’t ready or good enough. But I would be doing my grandmother a disservice for not believing in myself when she greatly believed in me,” she said.
“What gave me the courage to follow the signs was my grandmother. She put me through school and made sure I had a good life—the best possible way that she could.”
– Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo on following the signs
For many, signs aren’t always enough to spur action. Some are subtle, small enough to be considered coincidences—a coin on the ground, a broken keychain, a barista remembering your name. Others feel as grand as billboards: a dream, a sudden downpour, or all the stoplights turning green. Whether cosmic messages or divine interventions, we’ve all found ourselves at a crossroads: do we follow?
“I believe that we see the signs we seek for,” Manalo pondered. “I was lucky to spot them, but maybe I was also looking for them,” she added.
“Most of the time, you don’t need signs. Just go through with it.”
– Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo
And while the world was generous enough to drop her five little signs for her to compete again, it’s now up to her to turn those signs into a story worth telling on the Miss Universe stage. “I got a ticket to compete in Miss Universe, and now I have to make my own destiny with a little bit of hope from divine intervention,” Manalo hoped.
It’s not easy letting go of a dream, but it’s even harder to find the courage to chase it again after falling short. Fears and doubts easily cloud the vision, but even the smallest of signs can ease the fog. And perhaps this article is the sign you’ve been waiting for, the nudge to finally pursue what’s been weighing on your mind.
Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo followed her signs and found her moment. Maybe this is yours to claim, too.
Photography by EXCEL PANLAQUE of KLIQ INC.
Creative Direction by PATRICK TY. Fashion Direction by ROKO ARCEO. Sittings Editor PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO. Art direction by BRIE VENTURA and CLARE MAGNO. Multimedia Artist TROY NONATO. Beauty direction by AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON assisted by MARA GO. Makeup by MICKEY SEE. Hair by RENZ PANGILINAN. Fashion Associate ERICA TEROL. Producer THESSMAR LECTURA . Nails by JENNIFER PASCUAL of TRIPLE LUCK NAIL AND BROW SALON. Production Design by TIPPING POINT. Shot on Location at ONE HECTARE CREATIVE GROUNDS
