Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo has made it to the Top 5 of the 74th Miss Universe pageant, being held in Thailand.
The 28-year-old beauty queen is now one step closer to potentially bringing home the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown.
She first made it to the Top 30, then advanced to the Top 12, and ultimately secured a spot in the Top 5.
READ: Ahtisa Manalo advances to Top 12 at 74th Miss Universe | Ahtisa Manalo makes Top 30 cut at 74th Miss Universe
During the initial rounds of the pageant, she impressed judges and fans alike with her poise, showcasing swimsuit by Bench and evening gown designed by Val Taguba.
This has made her a standout contender among 120 delegates from around the world.
“That was a dream come true, absolutely,” backstage host Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres said about Ahtisa’s gown.
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The other delegates who made it to the Top 5 are:
- Thailand
- Venezuela
- Mexico
- Cote D’Ivoire
Should she win, Ahtisa would be the fifth Filipina to claim the Miss Universe crown, following in the footsteps of Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Gloria Diaz, and Margie Moran. The country last celebrated a Miss Universe victory in 2018, when Catriona Gray was crowned in Thailand.
Filipino fans have taken to social media to cheer her on, expressing pride and excitement as she moves closer to the coronation night, scheduled for Friday, November 21, where reigning Miss Universe Viktoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark will crown her successor.