Michelle Dee, Celeste Cortesi, other beauty queens react to Chelsea Manalo's Miss Universe Philippines 2024 win
Beauty queens reacted to the results of the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant as they expressed their support to the newly crowned titleholder, Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan.
After months of rigorous preparation and a series of challenges, the Filipino-American beauty queen emerged as the winner of this year’s competition, which took place on Wednesday, May 22. She bested 52 other delegates from different parts of the country.
Following the announcement of winners, beauty queens took to social media to share their reactions and welcome Chelsea to the sisterhood.
MJ Lastimosa, who was among the Top 10 finalists of Miss Universe 2014, said Chelsea’s win was “well-deserved.”
“That was her winning glow tonight!!!!! Congratulations our new Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Bulacan,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
In a separate post, she added, “Iba talaga na yung aura ni Bulacan pag apak ng top 10!!! Well deserved queen!!! Congratulations.”
“It was the other Manalo all along," she wrote on X. The top pick of pageant experts, including Missosology and Sash Factor, were Ahtisa Manalo, who ended up as 2nd runner-up and Miss Cosmo Philippines at the tilt.
Miss Universe 2020 Top 21 semifinalist Rabiya Mateo also sent love to the new queen. “Welcome to the sisterhood dearest [Chelsea Manalo],” she wrote in her Instagram story, reposting a photo of Chelsea from MUPh's IG page.
Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon, meanwhile, commended Chelsea’s performance throughout the competition.
“Congratulations to our new Miss Universe Philippines 2024!!! Such a pretty face and yes she did perform! [Especially] in the evening gown competition,” she wrote in an Instagram story, adding hearts emoji.
Katrina Dimaranan, who was named Miss Universe Philippines-Tourism 2021, also sent her love to Chelsea by reposting her Instagram reel on her IG stories.
Her successor, Miss Universe 2023 Top 10 finalist Michelle Dee, poked fun at how she “awkwardly” placed the crown on Chelsea's head.
“The crowning moment though,” she wrote on X.
u mean this mmd 😭😭💗 pic.twitter.com/1qLpdwk1xE
— gian - PANTROPIKO & SALAMIN SALAMIN (@giancart4u) May 22, 2024
She then shared a photo of her and Chelsea taken after she finally did it right. “At least I fixed it,” she quipped.
Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi made the rounds online when she tweeted "WHAT JUST HAPPENED" with the hashtag #muph2024 following the announcement of the placements of the Top 5 candidates.
She pointed out how well Taguig’s Christi McGarry, who was named 4th runner-up at the pageant, performed throughout her MUPh 2024 journey. “Ang ganda ganda ni Christi tas perfect yung answer nya !!!!!” she wrote.
She then clarified that while she had her own bets, she still "fully supports" this year's winners.
Ya’ll need to chill. Haha. What I meant by what happened is how the other crowns were distributed. Where’s Cainta? where’s Taguig? Stop trying to make an issue, I have my bets but I fully support who ever wins
— Celeste Cortesi (@SCCortesi) May 22, 2024
The MUPh 2024 grand coronation night was held at the Mall of Asia Arena. Chelsea, who will be the country's representive at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, was followed by Cainta's Stacey Gabriel (1st runner-up), Quezon Province's Ahtisa Manalo (2nd runner-up), Baguio's Tarah Valencia (3rd runner-up), and Taguig's Christi McGarry (4th runner-up).
The pageant also named four more beauty queens to compete in other international competitions. Ahtisa was crowned Miss Cosmo Philippines. Tarah, meanwhile, won Miss Supranational Philippines.
Alexie Brooks of Iloilo was announced as the Miss Eco International Philippines titleholder, while the Miss Charm Philippines crown was given to Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga. They both finished in the Top 10 of the local pageant.
