Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo shed some tears at the NAIA Terminal 1 as she departed Monday evening for Los Angeles USA en route to Mexico for Miss Universe 2024.

Chelsea will be in LA for a bit and leave for Mexico on Oct 29.

She is flying with Chelsea to LA Universe Philippines National Director  Jonas  Gaffud. At the airport to see her off are her parents and  designer Manny Halasan who designed her gowns and Natcos for the pageant.

“Manny is here with me. He’s going to be the one designing everything that I’ll be wearing from preliminaries to of course the finals night,” Manalo said.

Chelsea and Gaffud said they loved the gowns and are excited to show them in Mexico.

The Bulacan beauty had 10 pieces of luggage and boxes for the trip.

The “Filipino spirit” showcased by supporters chanting her name at her send-off is part of what Manalo said to be her “baon” for the competition.

This time, Manalo has her readiness meter cranked to a 10 and said she’s already at her peak.

“There is no right time to peak. I always believe that we have it within us, you just have to keep on your a-game,” Manalo said.

Thankful for the support that Gaffud and the Miss Universe Philippines have given her, Chelsea recalled how much love she’s gotten throughout her preparation for the international pageant.

“I started Miss Universe with only a team of two and that is my mom and my dad, Manny Halasan. It started growing hanggang sa less than ten percent na lang ‘yung naniwala sa akin. And being able to have a whole team for Miss Universe Philippines to get me to L.A. and Mexico— grabe,” she said.

“I can feel already the support. Gusto ko sabihin na mahal na mahal ko kayo. Ilalaban ko kayo sa Mexico.”

As her parents bid goodbye for now, Chelsea was tearful as she said she would really miss her parents who have been with her from Day 1 .

Manalo will be fighting for the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown in Mexico, with the finals happening on Nov. 16.