MANILA — Ahtisa Manalo spoke out about the sprained ankle she sustained while competing in Miss Cosmo 2024, saying she does not understand why some people were upset over the incident.

In an interview on the “Almost Honest” podcast, host and fellow beauty queen Kylie Verzosa asked Ahtisa about the backlash she received.

“If anyone would be mad, it has to be me,” Ahtisa said. “Like, I’m the one who up until now, can’t really properly walk on my right foot. It’s hard for me to walk.”

She initially thought it was a regular ankle sprain, but at the hospital, she learned that fluid had already seeped into her bone marrow. Her doctor advised her to use crutches for 20 days and avoid walking in heels—advice that was difficult to follow while competing in the pageant.

“And honestly at that time, I thought, what am I doing. I’m like, this is already my health that is at risk because of all these things,” she said.

“But I also reminded myself, okay, I’m here for a reason. Fighting for the Philippines, it’s already so close to the finals and prelims. I wouldn’t wanna quit this close to the finals,” she added.

During Miss Cosmo 2024, Ahtisa finished in the Top 10, winning the “First Station” of the People’s Choice voting and reaching the Top 3 of the “National Pride” stage. She later won Miss Universe Philippines in 2025 and placed third runner-up in the international pageant.

In March 2026, Ahtisa signed with Sparkle GMA Artist Center.