Miss Universe PH Ahtisa Manalo champions youth leadership with new programs

Ahtisa Manalo, the Philippines' representative, advocated for youth empowerment and leadership development in her Miss Universe "Beyond the Crown" video.

She cited 2020 data from the UN Children's Fund and Pricewaterhouse Coopers, stating that 31% of young people globally feel education does not prepare them for real life, and nearly one in four admit to not learning leadership skills.

Manalo emphasized that this leadership gap is particularly pronounced in the Philippines, where over 2.1 million young Filipinos are not in school, not employed, and not trained, despite their potential.

To address this, she introduced two programs through her partner organization, Alon Akademie: Alon Hub and Alon on Wheels.

Alon Hub aims to foster collaboration and innovation among young minds by connecting them with startups and teaching them to view failure as a catalyst for creativity.

Alon on Wheels is designed to deliver practical learning experiences directly to underserved communities, ensuring that opportunities reach those who need them most.