Chelsea Manalo’s post-victory, meet-with-the-press event, has cleared any doubts on her historic, surprise upset win in Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
Wearing an elegant red suit, Manalo was charming, engaging, and oozing with confidence. She looked like a cross between Miss Universe 1995 Chelsi Smith and Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam.
Before coronation night, while Manalo was on the watch-out list of possible winners, she was not even considered a dark horse. Nevertheless, her title conquest to become the first Filipina of Afro-American descent to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant has been a long time coming, considering the Philippines was a colony of the US for almost half a century, and the strong presence of Americans in the country.
Over the years, we have seen half-breed Filipinas as Miss Universe representatives, which started with half-American Lalaine Bennett in 1963. In recent years, successive half-breeds followed the likes of half-Indian Venus Raj (2010), half-Arabian MJ Lastimosa (2014), half-Palestinian Gazini Ganados (2019), half-Italian Celeste Cortesi (2022), and half-Chinese Michele Dee (2023). Not to mention, half-German Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and half-Australian Catriona Gray (2018).
“It’s surreal, seeing the love and support that I’ve been getting, I’m bombarded with calls congratulating me, from people coming from all over the country. It’s really heartwarming, and I’m very thankful,” said this proud Bulakeña.
Manalo has been getting positive feedback from global pageant followers, most interestingly, from Latin countries, a welcome sign of approval for the Meycauayan, Bulacan native.
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Bininibining Pilipinas holds first indoor Santacruzan
The annual Santacruzan of Binibining Pilipinas, a renowned May tradition, was held indoors for the first time at Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City. Shoppers enjoyed a procession of 40 Binibining Pilipinas 2024 candidates in intricate Filipiniana gowns.
Bb. Pilipinas-International 2001 Maricar Tolosa returned as Reyna Emperatriz, while reigning Bb. Pilipinas-International 2023 Angelica Lopez was Reyna Elena. Other notable queens included Gabrielle Basiano as Reyna de los Santos, Anna Valencia Lakrini as Reyna de las Flores, Katrina Anne Johnson as Reyna de las Virgines, and Atasha Reign Parani as Reyna del Cielo.
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Pageant focused on tourism and heritage launched
Preparations for the 3rd Miss Tourism Heritage Philippines (MTHP) 2024 are in full swing, with the finals set for September. MTH Philippines, Inc. also announced the first Miss Heritage Tourism International 2024, to be held in Manila in October. Titles include Miss Tourism Heritage Philippines, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR.
MTH Philippines, Inc. aims to showcase the country’s cultural diversity. Local government units are involved, with Bataan hosting the press presentation soon.
Reigning queens present at the launch were Shara Maxine Barbers (Philippines 2023), Gila Marie Jardinico (Luzon), Maria Ezra Borbon (Visayas), Mariam Claire Timtim (Mindanao), and Estephanie Gaebrielle Ladignon (NCR).
