@re-joyce 22 November 2025

I can’t help but admire Ahtisa Manalo's resilience in her pageant journey. She started her pageant path when she was just 10 years old, trying to stay in school and help her family. When she said, “It doesn’t matter what other people say… as long as you work hard for your dreams and persevere, it doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter if you're poor; you can become Miss Universe,” I felt it deeply. Even when people said, “paulit-ulit ka na,” she kept going. And to me, that’s the real inspiration. It’s not just about winning a crown—it’s about showing everyone that persistence, hard work, and believing in yourself can truly take you far, no matter the odds. Ahtisa reminds us: the world may doubt you at first… but your consistency will make them watch, and your perseverance will make them understand. — Mary Talks