BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Chelsea Anne Manalo has been crowned “Miss Universe Philippines 2024” following the coronation night on Wednesday, May 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, eagerly anticipated by pageant fans.

Many were surprised that Chelsea defeated 52 other competitors, including well-known candidates like Ahtisa Manalo from Quezon Province, who is experienced in pageants, and Alexa Brooks from Iloilo. Chelsea is being called a “dark horse,” a term in English referring to someone or something not well-known or expected to succeed, yet ends up achieving more than expected and outperforming others.

The term “dark horse” originates from horse racing, where it describes a horse that is not well-known or given much attention but ultimately wins the race.

In politics, for example, a candidate who is not well-known at the start of a campaign but suddenly rises in the polls and wins the election can be called a “dark horse.” In other contexts like sports or the arts, a “dark horse” refers to an individual or team not expected to succeed but shows excellence and triumphs.

In Chelsea’s case, while her name was already notable in the preliminary competition, she was not the anticipated winner of Miss Universe Philippines 2024, who would represent the country in this prestigious competition that garners national attention.

During the Q&A portion for the Top 5, Chelsea was asked, “You are beautiful and confident, how will you use these qualities to empower others?”

She responded, “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 and always believed in my mother to always believe in yourself, and uphold the values that you have in yourself. Because of this, I am already influencing a lot of you facing me right now as a transformational woman. I have here 52 other delegates with me who have helped me be the woman that I am. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, here are the other winners of the competition:

1st runner-up: Stacey Daniella Gabriel (Cainta)

2nd runner-up: Maria Ahtisa Manalo (Quezon Province)

3rd runner-up: Justine Tarah Marie Valencia (Baguio)

4th runner-up: Christi Lynn McGarry (Taguig)

But who is Chelsea, the representative of Bulacan, and now, the entire Philippines?

Chelsea, who is half-Filipina, half-American, was born on October 14, 1999. Her American father and Bulakenya mother divorced, leading her to be raised by her mother, Contessa Manalo, and her stepfather in Meycauayan City, Bulacan. Around 2004, she reunited with her father in America, where she completed her grade-level education.

At 14, she was already accustomed to modeling in print media, runway shows, and commercials. In an interview, Manalo said that if she had not become a model, she envisioned herself as a car racer. She graduated with a degree in Tourism from a college.

She is also a personal youth and body positivity advocate, having experienced insecurities and bullying due to her skin color. According to the official website of MUPH2024, Chelsea’s advocacy is “Championing Indigenous Youth Education.”

Chelsea is no stranger to beauty pageants. In 2017, she joined Miss World Philippines and made it to the Top 15.

The local government of Bulacan appointed her as their representative for Miss Universe Philippines 2024, dubbing her the “Bulacan Barbie.”

Chelsea will represent the Philippines in September in Mexico.

Congratulations, Chelsea!

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo: Instagram, @manalochelsea