Chelsea Manalo
ISANG katuparan ng matagal na niyang pangarap ang pagkapanalo ng Bulakenyang si Chelsea Manalo bilang Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
Tinalo ni Chelsea ang 52 iba pang kandidata na rumampa sa naganap na grand coronation night ng naturang national pageant kagabi sa Mall of Asia Arena.
Ayon sa dalagang pumalit sa trono ni Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, ang kanyang mga magulang ang una niyang naisip sa tagumpay na natamo.
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“I know that this was not just my dream but also their dream,” ang pahayag ni Chelsea sa panayam sa kanya ng media pagkatapos makoronahan sa naganap na pageant.
“I always have this dream of actually looking at myself in the mirror, wearing that sash and that crown.
“So when they announced my province, I couldn’t feel anything, like literally. I’m really happy to be here,” pahayag pa ng dalaga.
Iyak naman nang iyak ang nanay niyang si Contessa Manalo sa tagumpay ng anak. Siyempre, proud na proud siya sa napakalaking blessing na natanggap nito kagabi.
“Sobrang saya ko po, naiiyak ako sa sobrang saya. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon, natupad ‘yung pangarap ng anak ko,” sabi ni Ginang Contessa.
Isang Filipino-American si Chelsea na inalagaan at pinalaki ng kanyang ina sa tulong na rin ng kanyang stepfather na naging katuwang nila sa buhay matapos pumanaw ang ama.
Siya ang magiging official representative ng Pilipinas sa gaganaping Miss Universe 2024 pageant sa Mexico.
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Bukod kay Chelsea, wagi rin sina Alexie Brooks ng Iloilo bilang Miss Eco International Philippines 2025, Ahtisa Manalo ng Quezon Province bilang Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024, Tarah Valencia ng Baguio as Miss Supranational Philippines 2025, at Cyrille Payumo ng Pampanga bilang Miss Charm Philippines 2025.
Narito ang winning answer ni Chelsea sa final Q&A portion ng pageant kung saan tinanong siya ng, “You are beautiful and confident. How have you used these qualities to empower others?”
“As a woman of color, I’ve always faced challenges in my life.
“I was told that beauty has matter actually. But for me, I have listened to always believe in my mother, to always believe in yourself, uphold the vows that you have in yourself.
“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 helped me to become the woman I am today,” ang buong sagot ng bagong hirang na Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
Ito naman ang naging tugon ni Chelsea sa tanong during the announcement of Top 10 finalists, “I want to know what are you looking forward to? You had the choice: not being able to wear heels or getting your favorite foods delivered to you anytime any day wherever you are in the world.”
“So one of the things that I also want to share here is that I love to eat ice cream. It’s one of my comfort foods.
“So behind the stage, whenever I get to eat ice cream, while wearing my heels, (are) both things that I actually like to share with you guys. So it’s both a win for me,” aniya pa.