From beautiful Bulakenya Chelsea Manalo claiming the title, to Lola Amour serenading the crowd with "Raining in Manila," to Alden Richards and Gabbi Garcia’s well-admired hosting skills, here’s a brief run-through of what went down during the fifth Miss Universe Philippines pageant held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 22.
CROWN GOES TO BULACAN
24-year-old Chelsea Manalo, a native of Meycauyan, Bulacan and born to a Filipina mother and an African-American father, succeeded the Miss Universe Philippines throne and won the coveted La Mer en Majesté crown in nonchalantly historic fashion.
She was largely under the radar leading up to the coronation night. Though not a heavy favorite – only winning one special prize (Miss Jojo Bragais Runway award) and placing tenth and fourth in a number of prediction lists released by esteemed pageant magazines – she emerged victorious and bested 52 other candidates to become the first-ever Filipino-African American MUPH titleholder, the first woman of color at that. Netizens have given her the “black barbie” nickname due to her glowlingly dark skin color.
She is also believed to be the first ever Bulakenya to win the title.
Winning the grandest and most coveted beauty pageant crown per se is definitely not nonchalant, but the way she was able to triumph despite not being the most trending candidate and not winning multiple special awards can be considered as one.
By winning the MUPH 2024 crown, she has also become a recipient of the Megaworld Sam Rita Award, and will serve as the ambasaddress of some of the competition’s sponsors, such as Philippine Airlines, Jell Life, Search Fitness Lifestyle, Creamsilk, PLDT Home, and Bingo Plus.
She will be donning the flag as she represents the country at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant that will be held in Mexico later this year.
TOP FIVE FINALISTS
Only five candidates entered the final round from a total of 53 aspirants. Eventual winner Chelsea Manalo was joined 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).
All five had the opportunity to have their moment to showcase their on the spot brilliance behind the microphone. The following are their answers during the final question and answer portion:
Quezon Province
Q: Women learn from each other. What is the biggest lesson that you've learned from another woman?
Ahtisa Manalo: And how did it your life my grandmother put me through school and the biggest lesson I have learned from her to our wasted time. She is someone who has a big heart and took care of her lessons. I was a kid and I do think that my grandmother is someone that I can look I do. She is someone that is an embodiment of what a great woman is. Thank you.
Baguio
Q: What is your breakthrough or big achievement? And how did it improve you as a person
Tarah Valencia: Be in this prestigious fashion or Miss Universe Philippines 2024 is my greatest achievement. the therapy for someone who doesn't really limit I will really limit her yourself when it comes to her achievements, where I you step here, here here in Miss Universe Philippines and I see the transformation, the improvement and how I was able to become an inspirational woman that I am now and that is somewhat something that I will be proud of after this journey. Thank you.
Cainta
Q: Women have admired you all throughout your life. Now tell us about how you have inspired another woman.
Stacey Gabriel: You know, I've been told many times that I am too old to join a beauty pageant. But now I realized that pageants are a representation a reflection of that very nation. And tonight I am not only representing myself, every Filipino woman sees themselves in me. I hope to inspire every Filipino that just like Miss Universe, we too are limitless.
Bulacan
Q: You are beautiful and confident. How would you use these qualities to empower others?
Chelsea Manalo: 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. 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.
Taguig
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face as a Filipino woman? And what do you do to hurdle that challenge?
Christi McGarry: I think one of the biggest challenges that Filipino face today are being limited by still being shadowed by unfortunately, men and society. But I think my platform and me standing here in front of you today, I can encourage women that you too can stand up, you can be strong, you can be powerful, you can own your own destiny. Like I plan to tonight.
FOUR OTHER TITLES, SPECIAL PRIZES, CHALLENGE WINNERS
Aside from the Miss Universe Philippines crown, four other titles were handed by the MUPH Organization to four equally deserving titlists.
Third placer Ahtisa Manalo was crowned Miss Cosmo Philippines, fourth placer Tarah Valencia was Miss Supranational Philippines, top 10 finalist Alexie Brooks of Iloilo was Miss Eco International Philippines, while co-top 10 finisher Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga was given the Miss Charm Philippines title.
The following were the winners of 21 special prizes based on the competition’s Preliminaries Gala Night:
Miss Kemans: Victoria Vincent, Bacoor
Miss JellLife: Alexie Brooks, Iloilo
Miss Smilee: Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Miss Cream Silk: Dia Mate, Cavite
Miss Buscopan: Alexie Brooks, Iloilo
Face of Avon: Alexie Brooks, Iloilo
Miss So-En: Christi McGarry, Taguig
Miss Fairy Skin: Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Miss Jewelmer: Christi McGarry, Taguig
Miss iColorPlus: Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Miss Jojo Bragais: Chelsea Manalo, Bulacan
Miss Zonrox: Alexie Brooks, Iloilo; Victoria Vincent, Bacoor; and Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Miss Hello Glow: Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Hello Glow Body: Victoria Vincent, Bacoor
Miss Danielitos: Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Queen of Hearts: Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Icon Doll: Kris Tiffany Janson, Cebu
Miss Aqua Boracay: Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
Miss Wiling: Christi McGarry, Taguig
Miss Mags: Tarah Valencia, Baguio
Miss Villa Medica: Tarah Valencia, Baguio
WInning Miss Bingo Plus was Maica Martinez of Nueva Ecija, while Iloilo’s Alexie Brooks won the Up Close and Personal Challenge. Leyte’s Angel Rose Tambal was the Runway Challenge winner, and Hawaii’s Patricia Bianca Tapia won the Swimsuit Challenge.
Brooks, together with Southern California’s Janet Hammond and Tacloban’s Tamara Ocier, won the National Costume Competition.
TOP 10 FINALISTS
- Alexie Mae Brooks, Iloilo City
- Cyrille Payumo, Pampanga
- Maria Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
- Kris Tiffany Janson, Cebu
- Victoria Vincent, Bacoor
- Stacey Gabriel, Cainta
- Christi McGarry, Taguig
- Chelsea Manalo, Bulacan
- Anita Rose Gomez, Zambales
- Tarah Mae Valencia, Baguio
TOP 20 FINALISTS
- Maica Martinez, Nueva Ecija
- Alexie Mae Brooks, Iloilo City
- Angel Rose Tambal, Leyte
- Patricia Bianca Tapia, Hawaii
- Tamara Ocier, Tacloban
- Cyrille Payumo, Pampanga
- Christina dela Cruz Chalk, United Kingdom
- Maria Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province
- Kris Tiffany Janson, Cebu
- Victoria Vincent, Bacoor
- Kayla Carter, Northern California
- Tarah Mae Valencia, Baguio
- Alexandra Mae Rosales, Laguna
- Stacey Gabriel, Cainta
- Anita Rose Gomez, Zambales
- Raven Doctor, Palawan
- Christi McGarry, Taguig
- Kymberlee Street, Australia
- Chelsea Manalo, Bulacan
- Selena Antonio Reyes, Pasig
GABBI GARCIA, ALDEN RICHARDS’ IMPRESSIVE HOSTING STINT
The MUPH 2024 Coronation NIght was hosted by a talented set of individuals: Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards, Global Endorser Gabbi Garcia, Miss Universe 2022 R’bonney Ganriel, Emmy-award winning host Jeannie Mai, and seasoned eventologist Tim Yap.
After the event, netizens were quick to turn to Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to express their elation and admiration for the hosting prowess of Richards and Garcia.
The Kapuso leading man, a returnee after also hosting the 2023 edition of the pageant, was commended for his calm infectious smile, total composure, and undeniably handsome looks. Many internet users also noticed his consistently straightforward energy, even noting how he had vastly improved from his stint last year.
In a social media post shared by Sparkle, one X user approved of his looks and smile, “ang galing mong host… very good ka.. Your smile and energy is very infectious!”
“Alden’s hosting at the Ms. Universe Philippines event last night was commendable. While it wasn’t flawless, it exceeded expectations. He looked dashingly handsome, and he carried his suits with grace,” said another.
BANGER PERFORMANCES
The Coronation Night opened with then reigning MUPH titleholder Michelle Marquez Dee gracing the stage and serving looks as she walked down the stage in her elemental two-piece dress.
This was followed by a highly energetic song and dance number by iconic drag queen and “Drag Race UK vs the World” finalist Marina Summers, whose introductory words “Filipinas, it’s universe time!” got the crowd roaring. She performed “AMAFILIPINA.” She was the first-ever drag queen to perform at the Miss Universe Philippines stage.
Marina Summers’ performance served as the perfect accompaniment as all 53 candidates in their shining gold dresses entered the stage, collectively danced, and introduced themselves.
Meanwhile, OPM pop-rock band Lola Amour sang their mega-hit track “Raining in Manila” during the bronze-themed swimsuit competition.
The evening gown competition, featuring the pageant’s top ten finalists, was serenaded by Thai actor Win Metawin.
