Photographed by Seven Barretto
At Miss Universe 2025, Ahtisa Manalo takes inspiration from Filipino festivals for her national costume.
Ahtisa Manalo presented a festival-inspired national costume designed by Mak Tumang for the Miss Universe 2025 stage, taking traditional Filipino materials to create visual references to several regional celebrations. The look reinterprets the traje de mestiza, featuring a camisa paired with a hand-embroidered piña ensemble. Piña, a textile woven from pineapple leaf fibers, is renowned for its natural sheen and historic association with traditional Filipino formal wear.
The skirt draws from three major Philippine festivals. The Giant Lantern Festival of Pampanga emphasizes the costumes’ radiance and light. The Pahiyas Festival of Lucban contributes its palette of greens, yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds, traditionally tied to harvest displays and thanksgiving. Meanwhile, elements inspired by Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival introduce floral motifs and additional texture to the design.
According to the team, the concept aims to present the Philippines as a country where community celebrations play a central role in cultural identity. The creative team behind the look includes makeup artist Mickey See, hairstylist Rens Pangilinan, photographer Seven Barretto, and stylist Patty Yap, with the photos taken at Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar.
