Quick Read
- Ahtisa Manalo will crown her successor at the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 event on May 1.
- The beauty queen has officially launched an acting career, debuting in the series ‘Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre’.
- Manalo advises pageant candidates to prioritize selective listening and psychological peace to navigate the high-pressure competition environment.
QUEZON CITY (Azat TV) – With less than one month remaining before the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night on May 1, reigning queen Ahtisa Manalo is navigating a high-profile career transition. As she prepares to relinquish her title, Manalo has officially pivoted into the entertainment industry, marking her debut as a television actress in the primetime series Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.
Transitioning from Pageantry to Prime Time
Manalo, who secured the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 title and achieved a third runner-up placement on the international stage, described the impending end of her reign as a sentimental milestone. She noted that she is intentionally savoring the final weeks of her duties while balancing the demands of her new role as Bathalumang Haliya in the GMA Prime series.
The transition follows her signing with the talent agency Sparkle in March 2026. Reflecting on her shift to acting, Manalo admitted to experiencing a mixture of nerves and excitement as she watched herself portray a character distinct from her public persona. The actress highlighted that the experience of filming action sequences and delivering dialogue for the series has provided a fresh professional challenge immediately following her competitive pageant career.
Strategic Advice for MUPH Candidates
As the May 1 coronation approaches, Manalo has offered specific guidance to the incoming pool of contestants. She emphasized the necessity of maintaining psychological resilience amid the intense public scrutiny and varied opinions that characterize major pageant cycles. Her advice centers on the importance of curating one’s inner circle and practicing selective listening to ensure focus remains on personal growth rather than external critiques.
The Stakes of the MUPH Coronation
For Manalo, the upcoming pageant represents the conclusion of a significant chapter of personal and professional development. While she continues to fulfill her final obligations as the reigning MUPH titleholder, her immediate future is now tethered to her performance in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre. The series, which airs weeknights at 8 p.m., serves as the primary platform for her post-pageant career, signaling a deliberate move to establish credibility as a performer in the Philippine media landscape.
The strategic timing of Manalo’s acting debut immediately preceding her departure from the MUPH crown suggests a calculated effort to maintain public visibility and professional momentum, effectively mitigating the common post-reign career gap often faced by beauty titleholders.