Chelsea Manalo from Bulacan has been crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024, succeeding Michelle Dee as the country’s representative to the global pageant in Mexico. The live coronation was held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 22.
The Filipino-American beauty previously finished as a top-15 finalist for Miss World Philippines in 2017. Manalo considers the education of indigenous young people and body positivity as her advocacies.
The 24-year-old bested 52 candidates for the title, including runner-ups Stacey Gabriel from Cainta (1st), Ma. Ahtisa Manalo from Quezon Province (2nd), Tara Valencia from Baguio (3rd), and Christi Lynn McGarry from Taguig (4th).
Same as the candidates before her, Manalo will face tremendous pressure to bring home the crown for a country that treats the Miss Universe stage like a major sporting event. The Philippines is seeking its fifth title, its first since Catriona Gray won in 2018. The PH also had a 12-year streak of entering the pageant’s semi-finals from 2010 to 2021.
Apart from the Miss Universe Philippines title, four titles were also granted: Baguio’s Tarah Valencia for Miss Supranational, Iloilo’s Alexie Brooks for Miss Eco, Quezon Province’s Ahtisa Manalo for Miss Cosmo, and Pampanga’s Cyrille Payumo for Miss Charm.
