Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo (center) with “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda (left) and ABS-CBN COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes. Photo by Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News
Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo is set to bring her “A game” to the 73rd Miss Universe pageant happening at Arena CDMX in Mexico on November 16.
With 130 candidates competing for the crown, the pageant will be introducing a new format and Manalo said she is ready for anything.
“It’s not really the pressure of like looking at the other candidates. It’s pressure within myself. I know at the end of this journey or at that night on that stage, my biggest competition will always be myself,” said the 24-year-old queen.
“I’ve been talking to other queens as well and sinasabi nila na it (pressure) will get to you somehow, but you just have to control yourself,” she added.
Manalo shared that she has gotten some advice from Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach after meeting several times at events.
“Try to focus lang what is your main goal and at the same time, just have fun. They always say that,” she said.
The first goal for the Bulakenya beauty is to get into the Top 30, following the competition’s new format. To attain this, she continues to work closely with her team.
“Right now I’m still working with Miss Universe Philippines. I’m still doing trainings on the side. When I’m not working, I do Q&A. I do pasarela. I do my own hair and makeup trainings,” she said.
‘Fiercer’ Chelsea
Manalo said they want to achieve a fiercer version of her looks from Miss Universe Philippines, describing it to be “very Filipina” and “may tapang na.”
“Super thankful ako because maraming designers who are now coming forward to give me some clothes and style for me at the same time. Siguro the look we want to do is more on colorful para makita ‘yung beautiful skin natin,” she said when asked about her wardrobe.
Manalo said her daily looks will be coming from other designers including her friend and mentor, Manny Halasan, who will do her gowns and national costume.
“In terms of the tourism video, we are in the process of making it. We might be highlighting some parts in the Philippines that I already went on a tour [with] since my reign,” she said.
Excited, happy
Manalo was happy to get the chance to visit ABS-CBN, where she met “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda and ABS-CBN COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes.
She continues to find time to see her friends and family, and plans to celebrate her birthday with them before flying to Mexico around mid-October.
The beauty queen is excited to be on the Miss Universe stage, and is not bothered by what is expected to be a very loud Latino audience.
“I know that there would be a lot of Latinas who will compete and a lot of Latino people who will be cheering on… [but] I still have a lot of Filipino people who will be there to support me,” she said. “I’m very excited to meet the Filipinos there carrying the Philippine flag.”
And as she continues to prepare for the pageant, Manalo turns to the power of prayer as well as the support of her fellow Filipinos.
“Importante ‘yung pagdarasal,” she said. “I hope everybody can continue to pray for me so that I can make it to Miss Universe and be able to bring home the crown here in the Philippines.”
“And to vote for me, siyempre Miss Universe will have voting platforms. Isa ‘yun sa gusto ko i-reach out, na suportahan nila ako through voting and support me in this journey even after Miss Universe,” she added.
