Philippines' Chelsea Manalo says she's nine out of 10 ready for Miss Universe 2024—here's why
Chelsea Manalo is nine out of 10 ready to vie for the fifth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines in the upcoming pageant that will be held in Mexico in November.
During her send-off event on Thursday, Oct. 10, the 29-year-old beauty queen rated her readiness for the competition a nine out of 10, saying it's the support of her fellow Pinoys that would complete it. "If I can get the support of all the Filipino fans, not just for me but of course for the Philippines, let's just look at it that way," she said.
"I am so excited. I know everyone is excited, too. Let's just wait and see what it is I have to show in Miss Universe," she continued.
'I'm not afraid to go where I want'
In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, the Bulakenya stunner talked about her preparations for the international tilt as she shared she's not feeling any fear at the moment.
"I'm not really scared. Honestly, that's one thing I want you all to understand. I just want you all to trust in me," she said. "I'm not afraid to go where I want. I'm not afraid to take up steps."
Manalo teased that she's set to bring a much more "powerful" and "stronger" look to the upcoming pageant, but noted she will stay authentic to her roots as "La Bulakenya."
"This time for Miss Universe is a much stronger look with much more color, much more fun kasi this is Mexico and we have lots of colors, much more cultural style that we can bring to the [Miss] Universe. Medyo same lang naman 'yung culture natin sa kanila so may pagka-La Bulakenya pa rin siya but in a Miss Universe setting," she told L!fe.
The beauty queen said that her national costume, designed by Manny Halasan, is "very traditional" and "very Filpino."
"The hint siguro that I can only share is that it is very traditional, very very Filipino, and yes, we are talking on what to do [and] what not to do kung ano mga dapat namin i-adjust with the fitting, how comfortable and how easy it will be when I walk," she hinted.
As for her pasarela, the Bulakenya stunner said it doesn't have a specific name just yet.
"There is no specific name yet that I will be doing for Miss Universe but they can help me name that. But before that, there is 'tampisaw walk' and that is because since I was a little girl, I'd love playing in water so parang naalala ko na parang nagga-glide lang ako sa tubig so I named it 'tampisaw walk,'" she mused.
Manalo is also gearing up for the question-and-answer portion by studying topics and questions about anything under the sun.
"Syempre, kailangan prepared ka sa lahat ng issues. It's not just one issue, there are so many topics that Miss Universe can throw at you," she said. "But the most important thing is when you answer social issues and questions like that, it's because you are relatable, you know what you are talking about, you're not stepping on other's people toes, but rather you are influencing [because] you have that voice to really tell them the reality."
Manalo is hoping to put her advocacies at the forefront as she competes for the highly coveted Miss Universe title.
In case you didn't know, she strongly advocates for the Indigenous Dumagat people of Norzagaray, Bulacan. Through the youth organization Kids for Kids, she aims to reach out and empower Indigenous youth through education, and bring their stories to the Miss Universe stage.
"What I want them to hear is how important it is for one person to have such a support system. We have so many here in the Philippines that have a lot of dreams especially the youth, [and] the kids, and if there is no person that can help and sustain their dreams, it will be lost. Kids can sometimes get lost in this area and so if I can be that woman, kahit isang tao lang, it will go a long way," she shared.
Manalo also supports families and children who were left behind by overseas Filipino workers (OFW). "It is so important that with such a small support system, it will go a long way."
The 73rd edition of Miss Universe is slated for Nov. 16 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. It will introduce a new pageant format. Of the 130 delegates, top 30 will be chosen, consisting of 25 delegates picked by judges, four "continental queens," and one fan vote. The top 5 candidates, meanwhile, will come from the top 12's evening gown competition.
When asked about this new move, Manalo said she is very "excited."
"It is exciting kasi paano nila mafi-fit lahat 'yung segment knowing that there are 130 girls, but I think it will be a very fun season for the Miss Universe kasi this is a celebration. Ngayon, mare-realize na ng tao na Miss Universe is not just a competition, but [a] celebration of a young, beautiful [and] inspiring woman," she told L!fe.
For Manalo, she deserves to be the next Miss Universe because she has a story to tell that could serve as a "light" for those who "could not be seen and heard."
"It is not just the crown that I put on my head and the sash that I am carrying anywhere in the world, but because I am [also] radiating a story, I am showing light to those people who could not be seen and heard," she said.
She added, "It is important that we give them an authentic [and] real woman who knows what is happening in reality and is not afraid to show who she really is."
Manalo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines in May, making history as the first Filipina of African descent to win the crown.
She's also aiming to take home the fifth crown for the country after Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).