Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo. Manalo/Instagram 

Chelsea Manalo is filled with gratitude after her Miss Universe journey, which she described as “memorable and historical.”

The Filipina beauty queen made an early exit in the pageant after finishing in the Top 30, but was later on proclaimed Miss Universe Asia, joining three other Continental Queens.

“Muchas gracias, Mexico. Has sido increíble (Thank you, Mexico. It’s been incredible),” she said on Instagram, addressing the host country of this year’s competition.

“This journey has been memorable and historical,” she added in her post, which showed a slideshow of photos from her Miss Universe stint.

Manalo reunited with her family in Los Angeles, California after gracing the Miss Universe stage in Mexico.

The beauty queen is on standby for her duties as the first-ever Miss Universe Asia, a title that she described as a “surprise.”

The Philippines will have to try again next year for another shot at the Miss Universe crown. The country has so far won four times, courtesy of Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).