Chelsea Manalo and How She Relaxes at Home

The home is a safe space—one meant for relaxing and recharging. That’s why even in the midst of glamour and fashion, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo makes sure to take time to unwind in her own abode. 

One of her favorite ways to revive her spark is through journaling. “There are just times na I like to write what happens on my day or if I feel inspired,” she tells Metro.Style in a cover story, adding how jotting down all her ideas helps to release her feelings. She usually does her journaling in the living room or her kitchen, making these areas her favorites at home. 

Other than writing though, she loves watching—or sometimes rewatching—shows. “I just open or light up a candle, (and) sit down on the couch,” she says. She admits that her frequent series-watching companion is ice cream; she also says that anyone who opens the fridge at her place would likely find ice cream there. 

When asked about her current watch, she mentions the 90s sitcom favorite Full House. She pairs the rewatching session with her comfort food of choice. If she’s not watching shows though, you could probably find her cleaning the house. The therapeutic aspect of it is something she enjoys. 

But it’s always different when it comes to unwinding with those you love. “Some of my friends know how much I love to walk that even if it’s just another corner on the street, I would tell them, ‘Hindi, lakarin na lang natin’,” reveals Chelsea. She muses about how seeing various places can sometimes make things better.

She also talks about how her friends and family still visit her even if she has been living on her own while training for Miss Universe 2024 to be held in Mexico this November. Though she lived in a dorm during her college days for a short time pre-pandemic, Chelsea says that this is the longest time that she has been living independently. But the frequent visits from her friends and family make her feel like she isn’t actually away from them.

“When they come, I love to cook for them,” she says. It’s her own way of showing love for them, even if a little bit. Her specialty in the kitchen also happens to be her favorite food, which is kare-kare.

It’s easy to see how Chelsea’s colorful but minimalist home becomes her own simple retreat, with each corner of the house representing a different aspect of unwinding. Perhaps it truly is in the simplest of things where one can find comfort. 

Read more about Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo in our cover story below:

Text by Tim Marasigan

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

Interview by Grace Libero-Cruz

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