Ahtisa Manalo Breaks Silence on PCOS Struggle Behind Her Beauty Queen Journey
AHTISA MANALO – Behind the crown and glamour, Ahtisa Manalo reveals a deeply personal struggle that many women silently endure.
Ahtisa Manalo continues to use her voice to champion women’s health awareness, shedding light on issues that are often left unspoken. As a beauty queen, she has embraced her platform not just for glamour, but to educate and inspire women facing similar struggles.
Recently, Ahtisa opened up about her personal journey with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, revealing that she was diagnosed at the age of 21. Her candid admission highlighted how little awareness there once was about the condition, especially among young women.
“It’s not a topic that people usually talk about, and honestly, I think for a while it was taboo to even speak about your period or your menstruation, especially with the things that come with it. For me, I always had painful periods and I thought it was normal,” she shared.
Like many women, Ahtisa initially ignored the symptoms, believing that the pain she experienced during her monthly cycle was typical. It was only later that she realized something more serious was happening.
“For a very long time, I didn’t do anything about it because I didn’t know what to do because there were no medications or supplements available yet back then. You’re just stuck with warm compress and everything. You’re just stuck suffering every month really,” she added.
Beyond the physical discomfort, Ahtisa also spoke about the emotional and physical challenges brought by PCOS, particularly its impact on her weight. For someone in the beauty industry, maintaining a certain physique is part of the job, making it even more difficult for her.
“Apart from the pain, it’s for me the weight fluctuation. That’s one thing that I struggle with because for my job, I have to maintain a certain kind of physique…you just cannot do anything about it,” she explained.
Her journey in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant became a meaningful avenue for advocacy, encouraging Filipinas to speak openly about women’s health, topics that were once considered taboo.
Ahtisa’s achievements also extend to the global stage. She finished as third runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe held in Bangkok in November 2025, marking the Philippines’ highest placement in the competition since 2021.
Through her courage and honesty, Ahtisa continues to inspire women to prioritize their health and break the silence surrounding conditions like PCOS.
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