Chelsea Manalo of Meycauayan, Bulacan has been crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2024! She triumphed over 52 candidates during the coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 22. 

Manalo will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico, aspiring to bring home the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown. 

During the question and answer portion, she was asked about how she would use her qualities (beauty and confidence) to empower others. Here’s her answer:

“As a woman of color, I have always faced challenges in my life. I was told that beauty has standards actually. But for me, I have listened to always believe in my mother, to always believe in yourself, uphold the values that you have in yourself. 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 made me become the woman that I am. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, the runner-ups are:

• 1st runner-up: Stacey Gabriel (Cainta)
• 2nd runner-up: Ma. Ahtisa Manalo (Quezon Province)
• 3rd runner-up: Tarah Valencia (Baguio)
• 4th runner-up: Christi Lynn McGarry (Taguig)

Manalo previously competed in the Miss World Philippines 2017, where she finished in the Top 15. She’s the first Filipino-Black American who clinched the Miss Universe Philippines crown. 

This edition marks the first time delegates were chosen by local pageants under the Accredited Partners Program, with no age restrictions in place.

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