Early pageants Manalo began participating in local beauty pageants at the age of 10 to help support her education. In 2017, she competed in her first national pageant, Reyna ng Aliwan, a festival-themed competition. She represented the
Niyogyugan Festival of Quezon and was second runner-up.
Binibining Pilipinas 2018 On March 18, 2018, Manalo participated in the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant held at the
Araneta Coliseum, where she reached the top 15. During the final question and answer portion, she was asked how a beauty queen should respond to ruthless criticism, to which she replied that public figures should address criticism mindfully and constructively. She would end her run as Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, being crowned by outgoing titleholder Maria Angelica de Leon. At 20 years old, she was the youngest winner in that edition of the pageant.
Miss International 2018 As the winner of Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, Manalo represented the Philippines at
Miss International 2018, held on November 9, 2018, at the
Tokyo Dome City Hall. For the coronation night, she wore a gown designed by Filipino couturier
Michael Cinco. In the Top 8 final speech, she highlighted her willingness to lead despite her young age and expressed her commitment to serving as "the voice of the youth," emphasizing that "hard work and determination can overcome obstacles." She finished as the first runner-up to
Mariem Velazco of Venezuela.
Between pageants (2019–2024) At the end of her reign as Binibining Pilipinas International, she crowned
Patch Magtanong as her successor during the
2019 pageant. Later on, local publications including
The Philippine Star considered Manalo a potential candidate for future national pageants. She filed her application for
Miss Universe Philippines 2020, but later withdrew due to medical issues. Her withdrawal led to accusations that her application was a publicity stunt, though she clarified that she had submitted her application late, as she was uncertain about her decision to compete. She served as a judge at
Binibining Pilipinas 2022.
Miss Universe Philippines 2024 On January 27, 2024, the
Miss Universe Philippines Quezon Province pageant announced that Manalo would represent the province at
Miss Universe Philippines 2024. Leading up to the competition, she was considered a "heavy favorite" to win. During the preliminary competition, she earned eight special awards from the pageant's sponsors, the most of any contestant that year. Manalo worked with Cinco again for her gown for the coronation night. She advanced to the Top 5 and, when asked about the most important lesson she had learned from another woman, highlighted the value of kindness. She cited her grandmother as the embodiment of an ideal woman. Manalo was announced as the second runner-up to
Chelsea Manalo of
Bulacan. Following the coronation, Manalo was appointed Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024. Manalo's finish was criticized online as a "downgrade" from her first runner-up position at Miss International 2018.
Miss Cosmo 2024 Manalo sustained a sprained ankle when the stage for the
Miss Cosmo finals collapsed during rehearsals. For the national costume presentation on September 19, she wore an orange ensemble designed by Ehran Montoya, inspired by
Dyesebel, a popular fictional mermaid. She placed third in the Cosmo People's Choice national costume poll. Manalo finished in the top 10 after advancing through the first round of the People's Choice Award. She also received the overall People's Choice Award and the title of Miss Cosmo Tourism Ambassador. Following her finish in the pageant, Manalo encouraged her supporters to refrain from bullying the
Miss Cosmo organization or its winner.
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 On February 13, 2025, Manalo was reappointed as the local Miss Universe Philippines titleholder for
Quezon. In a media interview, she revealed that her second appointment had been a "last-minute decision" due to the withdrawal of her local successor. During the preliminary competition, Manalo won four special awards from the pageant's sponsors. Her national costume, inspired by the mythical creature
tiktik, was designed by Ehrran Montoya. Manalo advanced to the top 24 and later reached the Top 12. During the evening gown competition, she stumbled after stepping on her gown but quickly recovered. Manalo advanced to the top six, where she was asked to describe a time she led by example and its impact. She referred to an earlier on-stage mishap, using it to illustrate how she overcomes setbacks. She also noted that winning the title was a shared aspiration with her late grandmother. At the end of the event, Manalo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 by her predecessor, Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan. During her reign, she hosted the
Mister International 2025 pageant in Thailand, held in September.
Miss Universe 2025 Manalo represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand, held on November 21, 2025. With her biography and prior pageant experience, media regarded her as a frontrunner for the title leading up to the contest. For her video entry for the "Beyond the Crown" competition, Manalo advocated for education and youth leadership. At the post-pageant party, the Miss Universe Organization recognized her as a "Beyond the Crown" honoree for her advocacy. For the national costume competition, Manalo presented the "Festajada: Queen of Philippine Festivals", a
traje de mestiza designed by Filipino fashion designer
Mak Tumang, which was inspired by the festivals of the Philippines, including the
Giant Lantern Festival of
Pampanga, the
Pahiyas Festival of
Lucban, and the
Panagbenga Festival of
Baguio. Her national costume was recognized as the best among all the candidates following the competition. The same designer also made Manalo's preliminary gown, coined "Pinctada", derived from the
Pinctada maxima, the luminous shell that holds the precious South Sea pearl. For the finals, she collaborated with Filipino fashion designer Val Taguba to create an evening gown made from ultra-light organza, the world's thinnest fabric. During the coronation night, Manalo became a top 30 semifinalist, progressed to the top 12 and then the top five question-and-answer portion. In the first round, she was asked about her contribution to humanity. Manalo expressed her desire to inspire people by serving as a symbol of hope. Drawing from her personal experiences—beginning her pageant journey at a young age to support her education and family—she aimed to be a role model who overcame poverty through hard work, persistence, and determination. She wanted to show others that they, too, can rise above difficult circumstances. In the final question, when asked how she would use the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls, Manalo highlighted her involvement with Alon Akademie, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young individuals recognize that their circumstances do not dictate their future. She expressed her intention to use the Miss Universe platform to amplify this initiative and provide equal opportunities for those from low-income backgrounds. At the end of the pageant event, Manalo was the third runner-up to
Fátima Bosch of Mexico. == Other ventures ==