Up Close and Personal With Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo

Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo is a winner. But it's not just about the crown and the title. At 24, she has triumphed over many life challenges. She won and is still winning in life. But the heart of a winner like Chelsea's is not without battle scars. Winning, this Filipino-African-American beauty queen said, is also about failing. "I did face a lot of challenges," she shared, adding that how one gets back on his or her feet after a fall ultimately defines a success story.

But success, no matter how one manifests it, doesn't easily go to a person; it's often the person who goes and pursues it. In Chelsea's case, her victory on the Miss Universe Philippines stage is the result of a long journey of fortifying her self-esteem after overcoming bullying. It took a lot for Chelsea to get over self-doubt and build confidence to pursue modeling and pageantry. But she persisted and, looking back at those painful experiences, she has learned to keep the positive, let the negative out, and harbor no hate.

Chelsea's childhood in Bulacan

Chelsea has a kind of smile that brightens a room. She exudes a quiet demeanor and sophisticated aura. But, within her is that childlike wonder, like she's always had as a kid growing up in Meycauayan City in the province of Bulacan. During her cover shoot with Metro, Chelsea regaled us with stories from her childhood, and we could glean how much of a happy kid she was despite everything she had to go through. 

Her mother, Contessa, and her biological father divorced when she was only two. Her mom remarried, and her stepdad, Randy, helped raise her. "But I never saw him as my stepdad because he provided everything for me. Nag-abroad pa siya. He worked in Singapore just so he could provide for my mom and me," Chelsea opened up. 

She grew up with a tight-knit relationship with her parents. She was so secure in their love and support for her, but she experienced how harsh other people can be. She recalled, "My childhood life was very simple. It wasn't that nice at first because I was always bullied because of my color, because of my hair. I had curly hair, and I still do have [it]. And when you're still a child, many won't understand what your background is or what your ethnicity is until I tell them 'Oh, I'm half-Filipina, half-American-African. That's why I have this distinct look.' And it wasn't easy because I would always cry to my parents when I played outside. It wasn't that easy… Iniyak ko lang siya nang iniyak."

People would call her names because of her physical looks. The bullying worsened, so much so that Chelsea said, "It got to a point where I didn't see myself beautiful, like when I hear, 'Uy, ang ganda mo,' I just didn't believe it anymore." What helped her cope with the situation was to filter out the unnecessary comments and only focus on the good ones from her family and friends. 

"Hanggang sa parang you don't really get affected anymore by other people," she observed. "Even if there are people who would say some negative things, it's okay sometimes to just keep silent because bullies only do that because they want to get something out of you. And it's never okay. Bullies are never okay. What you can do is just give them that silent treatment or not pay attention to that because that is not who you are. If you get affected [by] such [a] thing, then you are going to let them win." 

Despite the bullying, Chelsea was active in school. She was into extracurricular activities. She was into sports like volleyball, basketball, and swimming. She even joined the choir. "I did a lot of things, and I loved joining such competitions or pageants," she told Metro.Style. Her first-ever pageant experience was for a school activity, and Chelsea remembers it was the first time she ever felt beautiful. Her being embraced by a solid support system contributed to her feeling beautiful. Being in that school setting allowed Chelsea to get acquainted with things she would be passionate about later in life. "That's why I really have a strong passion for talking about education because it really does help once a child dreams," she reflected. 

Becoming her own woman

Chelsea's dreams have their foundation at home. A sweet revelation she shared during our conversation was when she was a little girl, she thought she'd become a pop star. Yes, our Miss Universe Philippines 2024 titleholder once dreamt of shining on a different stage. "We are a family of singers," Chelsea revealed, smiling. Her grandfather, uncle, and cousins play different musical instruments. "And I'm always the vocalist," she added, giving us a glimpse of their traditional Filipino family. "I love singing! We kind of have that bonding. When there's always, like, an event or a celebration, we always have a karaoke." 

Her favorite songs to sing in the karaoke? "Since we are a very traditional family, my uncle would always make me sing [songs by] Regine Velasquez. If not, it's Sarah Geronimo, and I grew up loving Sarah Geronimo. So yeah, those kinds of music were what I would listen [to] or play… 'To Love You More' was what I sang first of Sarah Geronimo's music." 

But one of her all-time favorite songs, which she always sings to her parents, is "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole. A huge part of the woman Chelsea is today is thanks to her mom and dad, her ultimate source of inspiration for chasing her dreams. She was raised by doting parents, who helped shape her nurturing side too. Now, she's channeling her drive to advocate for youth empowerment and education by embracing her role as a beauty queen.

Chelsea's advocacy didn't start when she joined pageantry. It's a passion and purpose that can be traced back to her younger years. "My mom and my ninang brought me to an orphanage supporting kids specifically," Chelsea recalled, saying that she loved the experience so much that she kept asking to visit the place with them again. "To just be there, talking with the kids and playing with the kids… It also brought me so much joy to just be with other kids there because they were the nicest. They were very humble, and they had so much dreams that led me, until now, I do support an orphanage and give my love and support to [the kids there]. That way I have been volunteering in different work fields also but, of course, with the youth, supporting their education. When you ask these kids what it is that they love the most, they would always say to just go to school. They want to go to school and finish college."

Chelsea's interest in pageantry was also influenced by her mother, who loved watching beauty pageants. She also enjoyed watching pageants but couldn't imagine joining one until she saw Venus Raj in Binibining Pilipinas 2010; Venus became the country's representative at Miss Universe 2010, where she placed 4th Runner-Up. "Because of her beauty and unique color as well, I could relate to her," Chelsea said. "It started there hanggang kada taon nanonood na kami ng iba't-ibang beauty pageants. And then because of that, du'n na [ako] nahilig. Du'n na na-build 'yung dream ko." 

But before she pursued pageantry, Chelsea worked as a professional model, a career that helped her put herself through college. "It's a really beautiful journey that I did not expect," she said of modeling. "And through this, I gained my confidence."

Her first professional foray into a national pageant was through Miss World Philippines 2017. She was only 17 then and was juggling her studies, so she admittedly couldn't focus on pageantry. She bowed out of the competition, placing in the Top 15. This year, she reemerged as an aspiring beauty queen, armed with the heart of a winner. 

The winner bares it all

Despite her steely determination, Chelsea's Miss Universe Philippines journey was tough. She competed against 52 other delegates, each with her own inspiring story and team to help out. "When I joined Miss Universe Philippines, I didn't really have a big team. I wasn't in any camp or anything like that," Chelsea told us. "So my mom and my dad would always be with me anywhere I go. Sila na 'yung lahat-lahat, personal assistant, driver. Yeah, I mentioned in all my interviews that my dad does my makeup, my lashes. My mom would be my own stylist."  

Chelsea's relationship with her parents is truly beautiful and precious. It's a gift. Every chance she gets, she honors them. She acknowledges it's because of how they raised her that she's become the kind of beauty queen who dreams big while keeping her feet firmly planted on the ground. "I would describe si daddy na very supportive. Parang hindi ko alam 'yung tamang term pero siya 'yung dad na he would just do anything for you, literally catch a bullet for you," Chelsea opened up. "Sa sobrang supportive niya, kapag may bad comments siya nakikita kahit online, gusto niya na rin sumagot. Sabi ko, 'No, it's not like that. You know, I know you love me but if you really do, you'll do this in the right way'... He loves me for who I am, my mom for who she is. And anything that we just love to do in our life, he's always there to support us."

With her mom, Chelsea has found a best friend whom she loves and respects. Describing their relationship, she said, "My mom and I are, like, besties. Even though, sometimes, when you say besties, sometimes we fight. Not always a good relationship but it's a mother-daughter kind of thing. It's a kind of relationship that I don't think I could ever trade."

Chelsea added, "Since I'm an only child, I saw both of my mom and my dad like my best friends. Anything that happens in my life, they just know." 

At home, she can be her most vulnerable self. It's where she allows herself to crumble to rebuild herself with a stronger foundation. And that kind of unshakable core helped her through Miss Universe Philippines. "I've always known that I'm an independent woman. I like taking risks and I saw it, I saw the best of myself when I was still a candidate. It wasn't easy. I don't think any pageant is easy," Chelsea expressed. "I mean, many people can say that it is just because you come to a shoot, you have makeup. Maganda, you know. It's not really just that. You really challenge yourself from all the things that happen in your everyday activity. Your biggest competition, it's true what they say, is yourself. Going through Miss Universe Philippines, I saw that within me. That every day, I try as much as I can to just tell myself that I can, you know, and even if you have a lot of competition around you, it's yourself who's your biggest competition."

This mindset is helping her a lot in her preparations for Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She's working on her pasarela or runway walk and practicing for the much-awaited Q&A segment. But, a significant part of her training also involves character-building through meeting new people. This helps her improve her communication skills and tap further into her extroverted self. 

Chelsea also maximizes her Miss Universe preparation by learning more about the Philippines and its capital, Manila, where she's currently based. "I want to give back to the Philippines, so whatever it is that I'm [preparing] for, it's promoting the Philippines in so many ways," she said.  

At home with Chelsea

As Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Chelsea is no longer just representing Bulacan. She's representing a country rich in history, culture, and natural resources. This Tourism graduate said Palawan is one of the best places she's been to in the Philippines so far. "We have a lot of beautiful islands and beaches here," she mentioned, adding that the breathtaking Batanes is a dream destination for her.  

While she loves traveling and dreams of working on a cruise ship, Chelsea is a homebody, too. She's experiencing an independent life now since she's in Manila for training and other commitments. "I would have to say this is the longest time that I have been living independently. But before, when I was in college, I did live in a dorm, and I had to get out of the dorm because the pandemic happened," she shared.

This Metro cover shoot was particularly fun for Chelsea because it had a chill vibe in a homey setting; she was glammed down, which is different from her shoots as a reigning queen. "It was just like staying and lounging in my own place, so it was really nice," she quipped. 

We asked: What does her own place look like? "Very colorful but very minimalist," Chelsea summed up. She loves colors even in fashion because, she said, "Bright colors bring me happiness and joy." Integrating colors into her own place also helps her welcome positivity. 

Chelsea loves relaxing by journaling either in her living room (her favorite spot at home) or in the kitchen. It's the hobby that never fails to spark her motivation. She shared, "There are just times na I like to write what happens on my day. Or if I feel inspired, if I'm not feeling good, under the weather, then I also write it all down just to release that kind of feeling."

She also decompresses by lighting a candle, sitting on the couch, and watching her favorite series; she's currently re-watching the American TV sitcom Full House. To make that experience more comforting, she's always ready with a tub of ice cream. "When I'm watching my favorite series, I love to eat ice cream. My favorite flavor is vanilla. So, when I'm just at home, actually, when you come and visit my place now and you open the fridge, there's just ice cream there," she shared with a big grin. 

One other thing that Chelsea considers therapeutic, she revealed, is that she loves to clean. She loves to cook, too; she cooks for her family and friends when they come over. Her specialty and favorite dish? Kare-Kare. 

Even though she lives far away from her parents now, she makes sure to maintain her connection with her family. If there's anything she learned from her Miss Universe Philippines journey that she'll take with her even beyond her stint on the Miss Universe stage, it's to always "value the time with the people who are really close to my heart." When communicating with her loved ones via calls and the internet, she counts on technology specifically on PLDT Home services to bridge the gap.

Win or lose, she knows her family will always be there behind and beside her to congratulate her for a job well done. After all, by simply turning her pain into a memory she can gain inspiration from, she's already won something priceless.

"I want to say that it's still a beautiful experience for me," Chelsea pondered, looking back on her experience of getting bullied. "We don't always have a beautiful story, you know. It doesn't always start that way… I feel like my life is a book talking about [a] beautiful life story… Looking back at it, it was really painful but I knew that I grew from it. There's always a learning for something that happens in our life." 

To "try to live in the moment" and stop worrying too much about things she cannot control, like what others are saying about her, is what Chelsea hopes to change her mindset to.  

There's only one way to survive a challenging journey, and it's to confidently walk through the bumps. If you trip, then wear failure like a badge of honor. Going through the journey is in itself a form of achievement.  

The Miss Universe stage can be scary but it also provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She's found her strength, she's powered through, and now she's ready to have a blast in her universe. "The spirit of a Filipina is what I'm very proud of. We are hardworking. We are proud. We are unstoppable in creating and innovating our lives," Chelsea concluded with smiling eyes that show unmistakable courage and authenticity beyond words.  

Photography by Dookie Ducay

Metro head: Christina Lopez

Editor-in-chief: Geolette Esguerra

Sittings editors: Grace Libero-Cruz, Red Dimaandal, Randz Manucom, and Kate Paras-Santiago

Creative direction by Eugene David

Makeup by Mickey See, assisted by Angelu Dominguez and Rene Riva

Hairstyling by Jerry Javier

Styling by Perry Tabora, assisted by Kris de Leon

Props styling by Tipping Point Collective

Videography by Pat Buenaobra

Shot on location at Living Innovations

Special thanks to Miss Universe Philippines, Empire Philippines, Ono Poke, Barry Viloria, Karen Rimando, and PLDT Home