Miss Universe 2025: Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines crowned WINNER in Best National Costume—beating out favorites from Thailand, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico! Her fiesta gown was the talk of the world. But her outfit reportedly has a deeper message… Is it true? Find out the full story!
On the stage of Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand, a Filipina once again shone— Ahtisa Manalo , the Philippines’ beauty queen, who not only strutted the stage with beauty and grace, but also took home the honor as the WINNER of Best National Costume in the prestigious competition.
Her outfit, titled “Festejada: Queen of Philippine Festivals,” was created by renowned designer Mak Tumang , the mastermind behind Catriona Gray’s iconic “lava gown.” This time, Tumang once again proved his skill in creating outfits that are not only beautiful, but also have deep meaning.
Ahtisa wears a flesh-colored Filipiniana top made of hand-embroidered piña , with bell sleeves and a panuelo that reflects the traje de mestiza —a symbol of the ideal Filipina with dignity, humility, and beauty. Her skirt is a masterpiece inspired by Philippine festivals such as Pahiyas , Panagbenga , and the Giant Lantern Festival . Each petal of the skirt is hand-cut, die-cut, and heat-pressed , sewn individually—a testament to her dedication to art and culture.
Ahtisa’s accessories are also unbeatable. From the green and gold headpiece to the gold jewelry with colorful beads , every detail reflects the richness, joy, and identity of the Filipino . In her Instagram post, Ahtisa said that her costume is ” a living symbol of beauty, grace, and cultural pride .”
In the preliminary competition, her fiesta-themed gown garnered praise from judges and fans. In ARTISTA NEWS’ YouTube video, Ahtisa topped the Top 10 Best National Costumes, beating out contestants from Thailand, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and others. In an article by Interaksyon, netizens said: “ Ahtisa has a fiesta!!! ” while others said “ This is the true queen of the fiesta! ”.
Ahtisa’s win for Best National Costume was not just a victory for her, but for the entire country. In a competition dominated by glamour and glitz, the Philippines proved that culture, history, and art have a place on the global stage .
At Miss Universe 2025, Ahtisa is not just aiming for a crown. She is seeking recognition for the beauty of the Philippines . And in her national costume, it seems she has already achieved one part of the victory—the hearts of her countrymen.
