Chelsea Anne Manalo of Bulacan, hailed as Miss Universe Philippines 2024, during the grand coronation on Wednesday, May 22. Beating over 52 other contenders and marking a historic moment as the first half-Black winner of the title.
Manalo has been fond of joining beauty pageants since high school and gained modeling experience at the age of 14, even landing features in popular magazines.
Labeled “Bulacan Barbie,” this 24-year-old grew up in Meycauyan City, born to a Black American father and a Filipino mother who separated in 2000. Following the divorce, her mother remarried to a Filipino.
Manalo started to participate in Miss World Philippines, placing in the top 15 in 2017. Her college degree was tourism. Other than pageantry, she also evolved in the world of art with passion for music and dancing.
Venturing in the world of pageantry, one of her advocacies is championing the cause of indigenous youth education.
As outlined in her Miss Universe Philippines bio, she is fervently dedicated to advocating for the empowerment of young people, specifically emphasizing the importance of education for children, particularly within indigenous communities. Her mission is to facilitate educational opportunities for indigenous youth, aiming to unlock their potential and enable them to thrive.
In a youth-led organization founded in 2015, Manalo worked with Kids for Kids, which desires to foster a safe space for children. The movement intends to empower and educate the youth to be catalysts of change in their respective communities. She also advocates the welfare of the Dumagat people of Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Standing at a height of 5’7’’, Manalo shines not only as a beauty queen but also as a devoted pet parent to her shih tzu, basset hound, pomchi dogs, and love birds. Despite her fascination with food, she opts against strict diets, emphasizing instead the importance of staying hydrated by consuming plenty of water.
In an Instagram Q&A, Manalo shared that her childhood dream was not to pursue modeling but to become a car racer. However, as she grew older, she discovered her passion and talent for pageant and modeling, excelling in these fields.
As she gears up to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Miss Universe 2024 competition, set to be held in Mexico later this year, Manalo stands as a testament to following one’s passions and finding success in unexpected places.
