The fashion and commercial model, as well as education and indigenous people advocate wowed the audience with her overall performance in the competition and her beautiful final answer.
When asked ‘You are beautiful and confident, how will you use these qualities to empower others?’, Chelsea confidently said, ‘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.’
Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Seven Barretto
Dubbed the ‘dark horse’ of the competition, Chelsea counts being an advocate for education for the indigenous young Dumagat people of Norzagaray, Bulacan as part of her passions in life. Born to an American father and a Filipino mother, the beauty never made her dark skin hold her back from pursuing her dreams. She has starred in multiple fashion shoots (including Metro Magazine in 2016), and ads for big brands like Bench Beauty as well.
The beauty of the Filipina has always been celebrated in beauty competitions—whether it be mestiza, chinita, morena, and now, a dark-skinned stunner like Chelsea. Last night, we made history as we showed the world the diversity of beauty we have in the country. As we turn the spotlight on Chelsea Manalo as she goes on to represent us in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City, let us celebrate the fact that our ideals and standards of beauty are evolving.
From au naturel to all-out glam, swipe through the gallery to see some of her best beauty looks that we love:
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Ryan Agustin
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BENCH
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Banner photos via Seven Barretto (@sevenbarretto)
