HIGHLIGHTS: Miss Universe Philippines 2024 coronation night

Bulacan bet Chelsea Anne Manalo has been named Miss Universe Philippines 2024. She will go on to represent the country at the international pageant to be held in Mexico.

Cainta's Stacey Daniella Gabriel and Quezon Province bet Ahtisa Manalo are first- and second runner-ups, respectively.

Baguio's Justine Tarah Marie Valencia was named third runner-up, while Taguig's Christi Lynn McGarry was hailed fourth runner-up.

Michelle Dee bids farewell to her reign as Miss Universe Philippines as she took her final walk.

The Makai beauty queen wore the Apo Whang-Od-inspired gown by Mark Bumgarner that she also donned at the Miss Universe pageant in 2023.

In her farewell speech, Michelle thanked her supporters throughout her journey.

"My best advice is to move and live with purpose. Be certain of who you are, and who you are here. The Crown will always be a symbol of triumph. But win or lose, it's the lives that you that will really make a difference," she said.

In one of the pageant’s most significant rounds, the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Top Five candidates displayed their intelligence and wit in the question-and-answer portion of the pageant.

The questions aimed to delve more into the wit and passion of the aspirants, such as how their biggest achievement improved them, the greatest lessons they've learned, how they've inspired other women, how they would use beauty and confidence to empower others, and how they try to overcome their biggest challenge as a Filipino woman.

The candidates are one step closer to the crown as the top 5 MUPH queens are announced by R'Bonney, Alden, and Jeannie.

Delegates moving on to the next round include:

1. Quezon Province- Maria Ahtisa Manalo
2. Baguio- Justine Tarah Marie Valencia
3. Cainta- Stacey Daniella Gabriel
4. Bulacan- Chelsea Anne Manalo
5. Taguig- Christi Lynn McGarry

It’s all glitz and oozing confidence as the MUPh 2024 Top 10 candidates walked the stage in their dazzling dresses during the evening gown segment at the coronation night. 

Each candidate made sure to stand out with their charm and specially made gowns by their chosen designers.

The segment also featured a special performance by Thai actor Win Metawin. 

Miss Universe 2023 titleholder Michelle Dee could not help but feel nostalgic in returning to the stage of the SM Mall of Asia Arena where she first won her crown.

"I am feeling so much nostalgia, it was this very stage that I had to compete for the crown twice in a row, so obviously I have a lot of memories here. But I do have to say it's very nice to be answering questions and knowing that it's not scored, so I am definitely loving that for this competition," Michelle said.

Regarding her reign for the past year, the beauty queen from Makati City said, "It's really the value of hardwork and knowing why you were here, what is your purpose, because to compete for the crown, it's not easy, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. There are a lot of ups and downs, good, bad, ugly, but if you divery back into why you are here, then you can do anything."

Michelle said that some of her unforgottable moments during her reign was when she was greeted by her fellow Filipinos after she came back home from the global competition in El Salvador.

She also emphasized that she didn't join the Miss Universe pageant to become famous, but to try to positively impact everyone around her.

Michelle advised aspiring queens to have "hardwork, dedication, passion, and most importantly, love for your country."

"I know this has been a very long and tedious journey but it will be all well worth it as long as you put training, you trust your training, you trust core group, and on this very stage on this very night, destiny will have your back," she continued.

After the delegates stunned in the swimsuit competition, the Miss Universe Philippines pageant has now announced the Top 10 queens who stood out above the rest and will be one step closer to the crown.

After they were called, they were also asked by hosts Gabbi Garcia and Jeannie Mai some fun icebreaker questions for the audience to get to know them more, such as their favorite ice cream, what they do to feel better during their bad days, among others.

The queens are:

1. Cebu- Kris Tiffany Janson
2. Iloilo City- Alexie Mae Brooks
3. Bulacan- Chelsea Anne Manalo
4. Taguig- Christi Lynn McGarry
5. Bacoor- Kim-Victoria Vincent
6. Pampanga- Cyrille Payumo
7. Quezon- Maria Ahtisa Manalo
8. Cainta- Stacey Daniella Gabriel
9. Zambales- Anita Rose Gomez
10. Baguio- Justine Tarah Marie Valencia

MUPH candidates heat things up as they walked the runway for the Swimsuit Competition. The queens strut to a live performance of Raining in Manila and Fallen by rock band Lola Amour.

The delegates donned gold swimsuits paired with shoes by Jojo Bragais. 

From a sizable number of 53 delegates, the Miss Universe Philippines pageant has now announced the queens who will be moving on to the next round, narrowing them down to the Top 20.

The Top 20 queens include:

1. Nueva Ecija- Maica Martinez (Miss Bingo Plus) 
2. Iloilo City- Alexie Mae Brooks (Up Close and Personal Challenge winner) 
3. Leyte- Angel Rose Tambal (Runway Challenge winner) 
4. Hawaii- Patricia Bianca Tapia (Swimsuit Challenge winner)  
5. Tacloban- Tamara Ocier (Casting Commercial Challenge winner) 
6. Pampanga- Cyrille Payumo
7. United Kingdom- Christina Chalk
8. Quezon- Maria Ahtisa Manalo
9. Cebu- Kris Tiffany Janson
10. Bacoor- Kim-Victoria Vincent
11. Northern California- Kayla Jean Carter
12. Baguio- Justine Tarah Marie Valencia
13. Laguna- Alexandra Mae Rosales
14. Cainta- Stacey Daniella Gabriel
15. Zambales- Anita Rose Gomez
16. Palawan- Raven Hate Doctor
17. Taguig- Christi Lynn McGarry
18. Australia- Kymberlee Street
19. Bulacan- Chelsea Anne Manalo
20. Pasig- Selena Alexis Antonio-Reyes

This year's selection committee includes the president and COO of Philippine Airlines captain Stanley Ng, Vice President of GMA Sparkle Joy Marcelo, Chair of AGC Power Holdings Archie Carrasco, and COO of Kemans Skincare and founder of the Icon Clinic Vina Yapjuanco.

Also sitting as judges are Chairman of Digiplus Interactive Eusebio H. Tanco, MUPH 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez, CFO of O Skin Care Jason Co, COO of Aqua Boracay Carlo Co, MUPH 2013 Ariella Arida, and CEO of Villa Medica and Jell Life Crystal Jacinto.

Joining her are hosts actor Alden Richards and Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel who welcomed the crowd with wide smiles to this year’s edition of the pageant. 

Alden donned a classic black suit, while R’Bonney donned a stunning purple gown with silhouettes that resembled a flower.  

The two then welcomed American TV presenter Jeannie Mai, who greeted the crowd with an energetic "Mabuhay Philippines!" 

Actress Gabbi Garcia and TV and radio host Tim Yap serve as the backstage hosts. 

The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant opened with 2023 titleholder Michelle Dee walking the runway before RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. The World top 4 queen Marina Summers took the stage.

The Pinay drag queen performed 'AMAFILIPINA' donning a sparkly silver body suit.

As she sang, the candidates walked the stage and later introduced themselves.

We're just moments away from meeting the new Miss Universe Philippines queen! 

Aside from the coveted Miss Universe Philippines title, the pageant will also crown four other titles; the Miss Supranational Philippines crown, the Miss Charm Philippines crown, the Miss Eco International Philippines crown, and the Miss Cosmo Philippines crown. 

The coronation night is currently being held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.