From her 'Hiraya' national costume to her signature 'Tampisaw' walk: Highlights of Chelsea Manalo's Miss Universe journey
Chelsea Manalo raised the Philippine flag and finished among the Top 30 candidates at the recently concluded Miss Universe 2024 competition.
The 25-year-old beauty queen, hailing from Bulacan, fell short of securing a spot in the Top 12 and advancing to the evening gown competition.
Before making it to the big stage, Chelsea was not shy about showcasing her beauty. She started working as a model in the fashion industry when she was 15, modeling on print, ramp, and commercials. Some of the notable publishing companies she has worked with are Mega Magazine, Preview, Metro, and renowned fashion designer Mark Bumgarner.
Modeling career aside, the Bulakenya beauty queen has been joining pageants since high school. One of her most notable stints was in 2017 when she joined the Miss World Philippines and was among the Top 15 finalists.
Outside the glitz and glamour, Chelsea is a loving fur parent to her shih tzu, basset hound, and pomchi dogs, and love birds.
After she made the country proud on the world stage, let’s take a look back at Chelsea's Miss Universe journey.
Advocacy
From vying for MUPh title to the highly coveted Miss Universe crown, the Pinay beauty queen has been carrying her advocacy of empowering Indigenous youth’s education. She collaborated closely with Kids for Kids, a youth-led organization that aims to create a safe space for children, especially those in far areas, and empower them to be the catalysts of change in their communities.
She was also vocal about authenticity and being confident with her skin, taking power from her experiences of being bullied for her skin color and hair when she was young.
Thanks to her strong support system, including her parents, friends, and glam team, as well as her idols former beauty queen Venus Raj and TV personality Tyra Banks—who expressed support for her Miss Universe tint. These figures inspired her to embrace her beauty and regain her self-confidence.
Preliminary competition
During the preliminary competition, Chelsea made sure to make her mark on stage. Her national costume, dubbed “Hiraya,” put a spotlight on the country’s history of Christianization and Islam, highlighting the Filipinos’ strong religious faith.
Francis Cabatbat via @manalochelsea / Instagram
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During the swimsuit round, she wore a purple two-piece swimwear layered with a sheer gold cape, which she matched with high heels in metallic silver/
She was also a standout during the evening gown competition with her blue ball gown by Manny Halasan—it was a contrast to the figure-flattering fit dresses from other candidates.
Francis Cabatbat via @manalochelsea / Instagram
Coronation night
On the most-awaited coronation night, Chelsea showcased her charisma one last time since the introductions wearing a bedazzled silver ensemble, and proudly wearing the Philippine sash.
When she secured a spot in the Top 30, she sizzled the runway strutting in her chosen blue Miss Universe swimwear with a gold mesh cape, and did her signature “Tampisaw Walk” that helped her make her mark in the local competition last May.
Had she made it to the final evening gown competition, the Pinay would’ve showcased Halasan’s Tiffany gown. On Instagram, she donned a stunning, heavily beaded light green gown adorned with a dramatic ostrich feather cape, accentuating her sun-kissed complexion. Her hair was styled in a sleek high bun, and her makeup was kept minimal, allowing her natural beauty to shine.
This year’s edition crowned Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, the first win for her home country.
Nonetheless, the Bulakenya beauty queen made history as the first Filipina of African descent to be crowned as Miss Universe Philippines. After the show, she was hailed as the Miss Universe Asia.
"To be the first woman with darker skin to wear the Miss Universe Philippines crown is more than a personal achievement—it’s a celebration of diversity, resilience, and self-acceptance," she previously said.
"To anyone who has ever doubted the beauty within them—keep pushing forward. Know that you, too, have the strength to break boundaries, to redefine beauty, and to inspire others along the way. Let’s continue to build a world where all shades, all voices, and all dreams are celebrated."