At the early Thursday, May 23, coronation event held at the Mall of Asia Arena, Bulacan native Chelsea Manalo won the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines 2024 title.
Over 52 competitors, many of whom were seasoned pageant participants, the native of Bulacan won victorious. The fourth-place runner-up was Christi McGarry from Taguig, followed by Maria Ahtisa Manalo from Quezon Province, Tarah Mae Valencia from Baguio, and Stacey Gabriel from Cainta in first place.
The Top 5 delegates that competed for the title of Miss Universe Philippines were eventually announced after the competition was reduced from 20 to 10. Stacey Gabriel (Cainta), Christi McGarry (Taguig), Chelsea Manalo (Bulacan), Tarah Mae Valencia (Baguio), and Maria Ahtisa Manalo (Quezon Province) were the Top 5.
Chelsea took first place in the Miss Jojo Bragais runway competition and made a strong impression during the preliminary interviews.
“As a woman of color, I have always faced challenges in my life. I was told that beauty has high standards. But I always believed in my mother’s advice to believe in myself and uphold my values. Because of this, I am already influencing many people who see me now. As a transformational woman, I stand here with 52 other delegates who have helped shape me into the woman I am. Thank you,” Manalo expressed during her Top 5 question-and-answer portion.
Stanley Ng, the president and COO of Philippine Airlines, Joy Marcelo, the vice president of Sparkle GMA, Archie Carrasco, the president of AGC Power Holdings, Vina Yapjuangco, the CEO of Kemans, and DiGi Plus Interactive Corp. comprised the panel of judges for Miss Universe Philippines 2024. Aqua Boracay COO Camille Co, Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Bea Gomez, Miss Universe Skincare CFO Jason Co, Chairman Eusebio Tanco, and CEO of Conti Crystal Jacinto.
Actor Alden Richards, Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel, and American TV personality Jeannie Mai hosted the 2024 edition. Gabbi Garcia and Tim Yap hosted the respective segments.
The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 winner will be announced and crowned, and the finalists will get four additional titles: Supranational, Eco International, Charm, and Cosmo.
As the current Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios, selects her successor in Mexico, Chelsea will try to win the sixth Miss Universe title for the Philippines.
