Chelsea Manalo leaves for Mexico to compete for the 73rd Miss Universe

CHELSEA Manalo, the first Filipino-Black American to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant, is on her way to winning the country’s fifth crown.

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organization shared photos of the 25-year-old Bulakenya beauty queen at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Monday evening, as she departed for Los Angeles, California on the way to Mexico, where the 73rd Miss Universe competition will be held.

In the photos, Manalo looked casually elegant in her denim pants, white button-down shirt, and cream trench coat with a Philippine flag pin. She was sent off by several supporters and members of the media at the airport.

“This is it! Chelsea is off to conquer the Universe!” wrote the MUPH organization.

“Let’s all wish Miss Universe Philippines 2024 a good voyage!” it added.

In her Broadcast channel on Instagram, Manalo said that she felt “excited” and “kilig” to see her supporters’ messages.

“Asking nothing but prayers until we get to the Universe,” she added.

Send-off ceremony

The MUPH organization held a send-off media conference for Manalo at Hilton Manila on October 10.

She donned a green dress with a long train, with the MUPH crown on her head. The event was attended by Manalo’s family, best friend, and co-pageant friends who shared their heartfelt messages to the beauty queen.

Manalo expressed her readiness to compete for the coveted Miss Universe crown.

“I know that with the support that I have been getting, we are really ready,” she said.

Manalo shared she would continue her training for the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Los Angeles. Fun fact: this would be the longest plane ride she has ever been on.

The beauty queen then showed a sample of her introduction and her “Tampisaw” walk, her pasarela or signature walk, for the upcoming beauty competition.

The Miss Universe 2024 competition will be held next month, with the preliminary and national costume show set for November 14 while the coronation night is scheduled for November 16 in Mexico.

Aside from Manalo, two more Filipina beauty queens will vie for the Miss Universe 2024 crown: Filipina-British beauty queen Christina Dela Cruz Chalk of Great Britain, and Filipina-Kiwi Victoria Velasquez of New Zealand.