Chelsea Manalo's inspiring journey to the Miss Universe Philippines crown
Chelsea Manalo has just been crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
The queen from Meycauayan, Bulacan is soaring to greater heights and getting ready to take on the international pageant stage. And while she is a fresh face to many, Chelsea has been joining pageants and serving as an inspiration for quite some time.
According to her Miss Universe Philippines profile, she is an advocate of youth empowerment. She supports children's education, especially among indigenous communities in the Philippines. She aims to provide educational opportunities for indigenous youth and help them in sustaining their goals.
She has also worked with Kids for Kids, a youth-led organization that aims to create an environment to assist and guide less fortunate children. Chelsea also advocates the welfare of the Dumagat people of Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Chelsea also promotes inclusivity in physical appearance. The Filipina-American beauty queen admitted that she was bullied for her skin color. She wants to use her platform to raise awareness and promote healthy beauty standards to inspire women in finding self-acceptance.
Take a look at Chelsea Manalo's inspiring journey:
Mandaragit
Chelsea Manalo proudly wears a mandaragit costume in the Miss Universe Philippines. According to her social media, her ensemble is "an illustrious depiction of the fusion between endemic flowering trees and a quaint and exquisite bird that are endemic in the Islands of the Philippines."
Palawan
Chelsea Manalo's Filipina mother and black American father divorced in 2000. She reconnected with her father in 2004.
Pageantry and education
She started her journey in pageantry in high school and eventually studied tourism in college.
Miss World Philippines 2017
Before Miss Universe Philippines, Chelsea Manalo joined Miss World Philippines 2017 where she finished in the Top 15, with Laura Victoria Lehmann winning the crown.
Empowerment
During the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night, Chelsea Manalo advanced to the Top 5. During the question and answer portion, she was asked, "You are beautiful and confident. How would you use these qualities to empower others?"
Woman of color
Chelsea Manalo's winning answer: "As a woman of color, I have always faced challenges in my life. I was told that beauty has standards. But for me, I have listened to always believe in my mother, to always believe in myself, and uphold the vows that I have. 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."
Racing
Aside from modeling, Chelsea Manalo said in an Instagram question and answer that she wants to try car racing.
Bulacan Barbie
After winning the Miss Universe Philippines Bulacan title, she was dubbed as "Bulacan Barbie."
Miss Universe 2024
Now that she is crowned as the contender for the Philippines, Chelsea Manalo is set to represent the country in Miss Universe 2024 this coming September in Mexico.
