Who Is Chelsea Manalo, Our Miss Universe Philippines 2024?

(SPOT.ph) Chelsea Anne Manalo is our newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024.

In the May 22 ceremony, the Bulacan representative bested 52 other aspirants to the Miss Universe Philippines crown previously worn by 2023 titleholder Michelle Dee. Manalo will now represent the Philippines at the upcoming Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico. 

The evening's other winners were Miss Cainta Stacey Gabriel who was first runner-up; Miss Quezon Province Ahtisa Manalo, second runner-up; Miss Baguio Tarah Valencia, third runner-up; and Miss Taguig Christi McGarry, fourth runner-up.

Also read: “Our Mistake!”: Miss Universe Apologizes for Including Michelle Dee in Top 5 Post

Who is Chelsea Manalo, 2024 Miss Universe Philippines?

Manalo is a 24-year-old Filipino-American from Meycauayan, Bulacan who calls herself “the La Bulakenya of the modern era.” Her journey in the pageant world began long before her Miss Philippines Bulacan win in February.

Her foray into modeling started at age 14—which led to her entering beauty competitions in high school. Eventually, she placed Top 15 in Miss World Philippines 2017. She was already considered a notable contestant back then, which thrust her into the spotlight within the beauty pageant community.

Manalo is known for her beauty, confidence, and strong advocacy for the rights of indigenous young people. During the pageant, she impressed the selection committee in the question-and-answer (Q&A) portion with her answer to this prompt: “You are beautiful and confident. How would you use these qualities to empower others?”

“As a woman of color, I've always been told that beauty has standards, but I have always listened to my mother to always believe in yourself and uphold the vows that you have in yourself. Because of these, I am already influencing a lot of women who are facing me right now. As a transformational woman, I have here with me 52 other delegates who have helped me become the woman I am,” Manalo replied.

Manalo is the first Filipino-Black American candidate who will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe competition.

However, Manalo’s journey has not been without controversy. In April, her tourism video for Miss Universe Philippines featured the New Manila International Airport development site in Bulacan, which drew criticism for its environmental impact for the cutting down of over 600 mangrove trees.

Also read: Philippines vs. Filipinas: Why Did Michelle Dee Use the Latter in Miss Universe 2023?