Chelsea Anne Manalo of Bulacan is Miss Universe Philippines 2024
All hail the newly crowned queen!
Chelsea Anne Manalo of Bulacan was crowned the newest Miss Universe Philippines titleholder during the pageant's grand coronation night held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 22.
Manalo bested 52 other aspirants to succeed the reign of Michelle Dee, who emerged victorious in last year's competition.
After her, Cainta's Stacey Daniella Gabriel was named first runner-up. Quezon province's Maria Ahtisa Manalo is second runner-up, Baguio's Justine Tarah Marie Valencia is third runner-up, and Taguig's Christi Lynn McGarry is fourth runner-up.
The Miss Supranational Philippines crown went to Justine Tarah Marie Valencia while Pampanga's Cyrille Payumo was given the Miss Charm Philippines title. Iloilo's Alexie Brooks was hailed Miss Eco International Philippines while the Miss Cosmo Philippines crown went to Maria Ahtisa Manalo.
Manalo's win comes after she impressed the selection committee in the pageant's nerve-wracking question-and-answer portion, where she was asked how she would use her beauty and confidence to empower others.
"As a woman of color, I have always faced challenges in my life. I was told that beauty is... has standards, actually. But for me, I have listened to always believe in my mother, to always believe in yourself, uphold the vows that you have," the beauty queen said.
"Because of these, I am already influencing a lot of women who are facing me right now. As a transformational woman, I have here 52 other delegates with me who have helped me to become the woman I am. Thank you," she continued.
The Bulacan beauty previously became the subject of criticism as her tourism video featured the New Manila International Airport development site.
Some online users raised the environmental issues brought about by the development site such as how over 600 mangrove trees were cut down in 2018 along the coastal area of Barangay Taliptip where the airport is being built.
With her win, Manalo will now represent the Philippines on the global stage at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant that will be held in Mexico. Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event.
