Chelsea Anne Manalo (Tagalog: [ˈtʃɛlsi mɐˈnalɔ]; born October 14, 1999) is a Filipino model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024. The first Filipino of African descent to win the national competition, she will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant.
Chelsea Manalo | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Manalo in 2024 | |
| Born | Chelsea Anne Manalo October 14, 1999 Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines |
| Education | De La Salle Araneta University (BS) |
| Occupations |
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| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Universe Philippines 2024 |
| Hair color | Black |
| Major competition(s) |
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Manalo previously competed in Miss World Philippines 2017, where she placed in the top 15.
An advocate for indigenous people, Manalo campaigns for youth education, accessibility, and empowerment.
Early life and education
Manalo was born in Malhacan, Meycauayan, Bulacan, on October 14, 1999, to a Filipino mother, Contessa Manalo, and an American father.[2] Her parents separated in 2000, and after her father's death, Manalo's mother remarried. Manalo was raised by her mother and stepfather Randy Angeles.[2][3][4] Manalo briefly lived in Las Vegas, Nevada with her paternal grandmother between ages ten and twelve.[4]
Manalo began working as a model at age 14, and began her career in pageantry as a high school student.[5][6] Manalo has cited English model Naomi Campbell as an inspiration.[7] Manalo became an endorser for the Philippine clothing brand Bench in 2021.[5] She graduated from De La Salle Araneta University with a degree in tourism management.[8][9]
Pageantry
Miss World Philippines 2017
In 2017, Manalo competed at the Miss World Philippines 2017 pageant.[10] In the run-up to the pageant, Rappler named her as a "dark horse" candidate, providing praise for her runway walk.[7] In the fast-track events, Manalo was named as a finalist for the "Top Model" challenge, which was won by Cynthia Thomalla.[11][12] At the coronation night held on September 3, 2017, Manalo finished as a top 15 finalist for the crown, which was won by Laura Lehmann.[13][14]
Following her stint in Miss World Philippines, Manalo was touted as a potential candidate for Miss Universe Philippines 2021.[15]
Miss Universe Philippines 2024
On February 19, 2024, Manalo was introduced as one of the 55 delegates competing at Miss Universe Philippines 2024, representing Bulacan.[16] Following her introduction, Mega named her as one of the ten competitors in the pageant to "look out for", describing her as a "queen who’s willing to make a revolution happen".[17] Like her stint in Miss World Philippines, Manalo was viewed as a "dark horse" leading up to the coronation night.[18][19][20]
Manny Halasan, her manager, shared in an interview with Vogue magazine that they encountered financial hardships while competing in the pageant,[21] which nearly led to Manalo's withdrawal from the pageant.[22] Manalo recalled that she did not have a stylist and largely relied on local designers, who lent her dresses, for her outfits in the competition.[23] The provincial government of Bulacan also provided financial assistance for Manalo's bid for the crown.[24]
During the competition, Manalo drew flak online for including the construction site of the New Manila International Airport, whose development was subject to environmental concerns, in her tourism video for the pageant.[25][26] In the preliminary competition, Manalo won one special award from the pageant's sponsors.[27]
At the coronation night, Manalo advanced to the top five, where she was asked, "You are beautiful and confident. How would you use these qualities to empower others?". She responded:[28]
As a woman of color, I have always faced challenges in my life. I was told that beauty has standards. But for me, I have listened to always believe in my mother, to always believe in myself, and uphold the vows that I have. Because of these, I am already influencing a lot of women who are facing me right now. As a transformational woman, I have here 52 other delegates with me who have helped me to become the woman I am.[28]
At the end of the event, Manalo was named as the winner and was crowned by outgoing titleholder Michelle Dee.[29] With her win, Manalo became the first Filipino of African descent to be selected to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe.[30][31] Her victory was celebrated online as a challenge to the "ingrained preference for Eurocentric beauty" long held in the country.[32] The provincial government of Bulacan honored Manalo with a homecoming parade on June 9.[33]
Miss Universe 2024
Manalo will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, to be held in Mexico.[34]
Advocacies
Manalo is an advocate for the indigenous Dumagat people of Norzagaray, Bulacan.[35] She has worked with the youth organization Kids for Kids, which aims to reach out and empower indigenous youth.[5]
References
- ^ Acar, Aedrianne (May 27, 2024). "Chelsea Manalo's video of her working as hotel staff goes viral". GMA Network Entertainment. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Bravo, Frances Karmel (May 23, 2024). "Meet Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024". PEP.ph. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Chelsea Manalo and mom overwhelmed after Miss Universe Philippines 2024 win". GMA Network. May 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Castillejo, Dyan (May 24, 2024). "Chelsea Manalo humble and radiant after winning MUPH 2024 crown". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ a b c Uson, Melanie (May 23, 2024). "Get to know Chelsea Manalo, a youth advocate who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024". Philstar Life. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Alpad, Christina (May 23, 2024). "Chelsea Manalo proves beauty beyond skin color". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Villano, Alexa (September 2, 2017). "Miss World Philippines 2017 predictions : Who will win the crown?". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (May 23, 2024). "Get to know Chelsea Anne Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Bulacan's Chelsea Manalo is first black Miss Universe Philippines". BusinessWorld. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "LOOK: Miss World Philippines 2017 candidates officially announced". GMA News Online. July 29, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Villano, Alexa (September 2, 2017). "Miss World Philippines 2017 predictions : Who will win the crown?". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Tantiangco, Aya (September 3, 2017). "Here are the fast track events winners of Miss World Philippines 2017". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Villano, Alexa (September 3, 2017). "FULL LIST: Winners, Miss World Philippines 2017". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Villano, Alexa (September 4, 2017). "Laura Lehmann on winning Miss World Philippines 2017". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Gime, Jade Yamanaka. "Bulakenya being pushed to become first Black Filipina Miss Universe". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Jusay, Annalyn S. (February 19, 2024). "Miss Universe Philippines 2024 presents 55 candidates". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Castelo, Sean III (February 21, 2024). "10 Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Candidates to Look Out For". MEGA. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Bracamonte, Earl D.C. (May 21, 2024). "Miss Universe Philippines 2024 preliminaries: frontrunners, favorites". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Bracamonte, Earl D. C. "Woman of color makes historic win as Miss Universe Philippines 2024". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Presillas, Bryan Ferdie (May 23, 2024). "Bulacan's Chelsea Manalo beats heavy favorites in MUPH 2024". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Potestas, Clint Holton (May 23, 2024). "Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo Is 'A Breath Of Fresh Air'". Vogue Philippines.
- ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy. "Chelsea Manalo reveals how she almost quit before winning Miss Universe Philippines 2024". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ "Sans stylist, Chelsea Manalo relied on friends, online sellers for outfits". ABS-CBN News. May 24, 2024.
- ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (May 28, 2024). "Chelsea Manalo reveals almost quitting MUPH for financial reasons". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Villanueva, Angelica; Adriatico, Abigail (April 13, 2024). "Miss Universe Philippines – Bulacan 2024 raises eyebrows for tourism video featuring airport development site in the province". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, Nechole Jayne (April 8, 2024). "MUPH Bulacan faces backlash over tourism video featuring airport development site". Philstar Life. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Jusay, Annalys. "Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidates shine during preliminaries at the Manila Hotel". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Mallorca, Hannah (May 23, 2024). "TRANSCRIPT: Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Top 5 Q&A segment". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. "'Bulacan Barbie' becomes first Filipino-Black American to win Miss Universe Philippines". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Iglesias, Iza (May 23, 2024). "Bulacan's Chelsea Anne Manalo wins Miss Universe Philippines 2024". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Concepcion, Eton B. (May 23, 2024). "First Black Filipina crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024". Manila Standard.
- ^ Magramo, Kathleen (May 24, 2024). "First Black Filipina crowned as Miss Universe Philippines". CNN. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Silverio, Frederick (June 9, 2024). "Manalo gets grand welcome in Bulacan". The Manila Times. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ "Bulacan's Chelsea Manalo to represent PH at Miss Universe 2024". ABS-CBN. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Castelo, Sean III (May 21, 2024). "Runway to Stage: 4 Fashion Models Who Joined Miss Universe Philippines 2024". MEGA. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
