Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo offered pageant fans a closer look at the Mak Tumang creation she wore during Wednesday's preliminary evening gown competition in Bangkok, Thailand.
Manalo posted a video of the midnight-blue gown, which Tumang said was inspired by Pinctada maxima, the rare South Sea pearl featured in the Miss Universe crown. The piece is gilded in gold accents and shaped with sunburst-like details echoing the iconic tiara.
In his Facebook post, Tumang described his creation — dubbed “Pinctada” — as “a gown born from the depths of the sea.”
Mak Tumang/Facebook
Netizens quickly praised both Manalo’s performance and the craftsmanship behind the look. “Still serving a gown uniquely made, no slits yet elegant, just like her,” one commenter wrote.
Another added: “Ahtisa… that gown and that performance — you ate and left no crumbs!”
Manalo was styled by Patty Yap for the preliminaries.