BM ‘Black Girl Magic’: Bulacan’s Chelsea Manalo wins Miss Universe Philippines 2024
HERSTORY was made at the MOA Arena in the early morning of May 23, 2024. For the rst time, a Filipina of African descent was crowned Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH). Chelsea Anne Manalo, 22, a tourism graduate, model and advocate of indigenous people, bested 52 delegates from around the country and overseas to earn the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico.
At the Top 5, Chelsea was asked: “You are beautiful and con dent. How would you use these qualities to empower others?”
This is her winning reply:
“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 in 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.”
Phenomenal Women
IN a nail-biting—and bewildering announcement—taguig’s Christi Lynn Mcgarry was declared fourth runner-up. Baguio’s Tarah Valencia is third runner-up. Maria Ahtisa Manalo is second runner-up. Cainta’s Stacey Gabriel is rst runner-up.
e Top 20 included Nueva Ecija’s Maica Martinez, the Miss Bingo Plus; Leyte’s Angel Rose Tambal, the Runway Challenge winner; Hawaii’s Patricia Bianca Tapia, the Swimsuit Challenge winner; Tacloban’s Tamara Ocier, the Casting Commercial Challenge winner; the United Kingdom’s Christina Chalk; Laguna’s Alexandra Mae Rosales; Australia’s Kymberlee Street, Pasig’s Selena Antonio Reyes, Palawan’s Raven Doctor, and Northern California’s Kayla Carter.
A fully stacked Top Ten included Cebu’s Kris Ti any Janson, Pampanga’s Cyrille Payumo, Iloilo’s Alexie Brooks (Up Close and Personal Challenge winner), Bacoor’s Victoria Velasquez Vincent, and Zambales’s Anita Rose Gomez.
New Crowns, New Queens
AFTER Chelsea’s coronation, a new set of queens were also declared:
• Miss Supranational Philippines 2025 - Tarah Valencia | Baguio
• Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024 - Ma. Ahtisa Manalo | Quezon Province
• Miss Charm Philippines 2025 - Cyrille Payumo | Pampanga
• Miss Eco International Philippines 2025 - Alexie Brooks | Iloilo
From World to Universe
SINCE she was in her early teens, Chelsea has joined modeling competitions. It was at Miss World Philippines (MWP) 2017, though, that she entered national consciousness. She placed at the Top 15 and was a nalist at the Top Model fast-track event.
Catriona Gray crowned Laura Lehmann as Miss World Philippines 2017, in the batch that included Teresita Marquez, who won Reina Hispanoamericana 2017; Cynthia omalla, who won Miss Eco International 2017; and Sophia Señoron, who won Miss Multinational 2017.
Chelsea joins a club of MWP alumni who have gone on to win MUPH, such as Rachel Peters, MWP 2014 Fourth Princess, later on MUPH 2017; Gazini Ganados, MWP 2014 semi nalist, later on MUPH 2019, last Binibi; Catriona Gray, MWP 2016, later on Miss Universe 2018; Michelle Dee, MWP 2019, later on MUPH 2023.
Black Girl Magic
BORN to a Bulacan maiden, Contessa, and an African-american father who died when Chelsea was young, she experienced ridicule for her hair and skin color. Raised by her mom and her stepfather, it was her extraordinary looks that made her a darling among young designers.
Because of her victory as the rst black Miss Universe Philippines, she also joins an exclusive club of trailblazing women who were the rst black winners of their pageants, such as Carole Gist, Miss USA 1990 from Michigan; Janelle Commissiong, Miss Universe 1977 from Trinidad and Tobago; Denny Mendez, Miss Universe Italy, 1997; Titi Ayanaw, Miss Universe Israel 2013; Vanessa Williams, Miss America 1984 from New York; Jennifer Hosten, Miss World 1970 from Grenada; Jeymmy Vargas, Miss International 2004 from Colombia; and Ariana Miyamoto, Miss Universe Japan 2015.
From Bulacan to the universe
BULACAN has produced Alethea Ambrosio, Miss Philippines Supranational 2023, and Michelle Aldana, Miss Asia Paci c 1993. Chelsea, the La Bulakenya, hopes to make her province even prouder of its awesome women.
A day after her monumental triumph, she wrote on her socials:
“I once thought that a fallen star can never be reborn. For years it kept itself absorbed in the dark void. But it once again found its light.
“I was that star and last night I shone brightest because of all the love and support I received.
“Mom and Dad, you both served as my pillar of strength and inspiration. I never stumbled as I envisioned myself walking with you. I was calm because I imagined you were holding my hands. Every word I spoke came from the genuine heart you both nurtured. Every step I made on the stage led us to achieving the crown we all dreamed of. You, both, deserve my eternal gratitude.
“To my Bulacan Team, you all are my heroes. e challenges I was confronted with were overcome by your magic, kindness and generosity. You never made me feel I was alone. I was empowered because I knew you were all by my side.
“To my MUPH sisters, my home. e past months have allowed me to nd a home away from home. You treated me like family. I learned many lessons from you that I would carry throughout my journey.
“To those who supported me, it was beautiful to know you were all cheering Bulacan even if I didn’t know all of you. Your voices echoed in my head, reminding myself that I should believe in myself because there were people believing in me.
“Sa’yo mahal kong Pilipinas, gagawin ko ang lahat para iuwi ang pang-limang korona. Hindi kita bibiguin. Ilalaban natin ito. Maraming Salamat po. “Again, this is Chelsea Manalo “From Bulacan Philippines to the Universe.”