“Parang Final Destination”: Ahtisa Manalo Opens Up About Her Worst Pageant Experience
AHTISA MANALO – Beauty pageants are often seen as glamorous, but for Ahtisa Manalo, one competition turned into a frightening experience she now calls her worst.
Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo recently opened up about what she described as her “worst” pageant experience during an interview with Vice Ganda that aired on YouTube on December 21, 2025. The candid conversation quickly drew attention after Ahtisa shared a shocking incident that happened during one of the pageants she joined.
Although Ahtisa did not directly name the pageant at first, Vice Ganda later mentioned that it was “Miss Cosmo.” Ahtisa represented the Philippines in the inaugural Miss Cosmo pageant, which was held in Vietnam on October 5, 2024. During the competition, she advanced only up to the Top 10.
Recalling the incident, Ahtisa shared, “Oh my God! Alam mo ba, meron akong pageant na sinalihan na gumuho yung stage namin.” When Vice asked, “Anong pageant yan?” Ahtisa replied, “Puwede bang sabihin? Bawal ata.” Despite Vice repeatedly pressing her for details, Ahtisa initially refused to name the pageant, saying only that it was not a local competition.
Vice then added, “Ito yung sa Cosmo? O hindi siya nagsabi. Ako. Napanood namin sa news. Yung Miss Cosmo. Sa Miss Cosmo, gumuho yung stage.” This referred to the widely reported incident during Miss Cosmo 2024, when the stage collapsed on the first night of rehearsals on September 28, 2024.
Ahtisa later revealed the extent of her injuries, saying, “Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero magre-rehearsals dapat kami. Nagwe-wait kami. Biglang gumuho yung stage. Na-sprain ako.” She added, “Nagkaroon ng fluid yung bone marrow or something. Di ako nakalakad. Tas nag-wheelchair ako for a while.”
Despite her condition, Ahtisa continued competing. “Ta’s lumaban ako ng prelims tsaka finals na masakit yung ankles ko. As in halos di ako makalakad,” she shared. She even described the moment as chaotic, calling it a “Final Destination” experience. “Kasi nagtakbuhan kami. Para siyang ‘Final Destination’ kasi basta na lang bumabagsak yung scaffolding, ganun,” she said, adding, “As in. I don’t know why no one… Pero may mga pictures, e.”
Ahtisa also recalled facing criticism afterward. “Tas sabi ng mga tao, nag-iinarte daw ako,” she said. Vice then jokingly remarked, “Di kaya Pilipino yung contractor niya? Substandard yung mga ginawa. Nakakahiya kung Pilipino pa yung gumawa nun, ha.” This comment sent Ahtisa into laughter, ending the conversation on a lighter note despite the traumatic experience she shared.
Watch the video below (11:47 hit mark):
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