Inalay ng bagong hirang na Miss Universe Philippines 2024 na si Chelsea Manalo ang korona at titulo niya sa kanyang mga magulang—ang kanyang ina na si Contessa Manalo, ang namayapa niyang biological father, at ang kanyang stepfather.
Read: Dark horse Chelsea Manalo wins Miss Universe Philippines 2024
Si Chelsea, isang black Filipino-American mula sa Bulacan, ang nagawagi sa national beauty pageant na may kalahok na 53 kandidata mula sa iba't ibang lungsod at probinsiya ng Pilipinas at ilang piling Filipino communities sa abroad.
Nanaig din siya sa ilang fan favorites gaya nina Stacey Gabriel (first runner-up), Ahtisa Manalo (second runner-up), at Christi McGarry (fourth runner-up).
Read: Tamang Manalo ba ang nanalong Miss Universe Philippines 2024?
Sa panayam ni Dyan Castillejo, halatang nag-uumpaw ang kasiyahang nararamdaman ni Chelsea matapos siyang tanghaling Miss Universe Philippines 2024 sa Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, kagabi, May 22, 2024.
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Pahayag ni Chelsea: "When they announced my city, my province, I instantly thought about my parents.
"I know that this was not just my dream but also their dream to be Miss Universe Philippines.
"I always have this dream of actually looking at myself in the mirror of wearing that sash and that crown.
"So when they announced my province, I couldn't feel anything, like literally, and I'm really happy to be here."
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CHELSEA MANALO BECOMES EMOTIONAL
Naging emosyunal daw si Chelsea nang makitang umaakyat sa entablado ang kanyang mga magulang pagkatapos niyang makoronahan.
Lahad niya: "I was becoming emotional more when I saw my parents.
"Because when you're here on the stage, I was trying to look for them, because there's so much light.
"You can hear the crowd, you know, you have your sisters behind you.
"But when I saw them literally came up here on the stage, that's when I felt most emotional. Because it's been really four months for this coronation night to happen.
"So, for me, to embrace them was just really important for me for that moment.
"And we all go through challenges. We all go through that phase, you know.
"I didn't have that standard of beauty when it comes to beauty pageants. You know, I didn't have that color, that hair.
"But I told myself, and my parents have always told me to believe in yourself. You know, there's a story for you to tell.
"And this is me right now—to be your next Miss Universe Philippines and hoping to be the next Miss Universe as well."
Mensahe pa ni Chelsea para sa mga magulang: "I love you mom, I love you dad.
"This is not just for me but for you and for all of those people who have supported me. I will do great, we will do good.
"I know that this is already my journey but, you know, I hope that no matter where I am, you know, you will still be there to support me.
"I love you, Mom and Dad."
MESSAGE FOR STACEY GABRIEL
Naging mahigpit na katunggali ni Chelsea sa Miss Universe Philippines 2024 crown ang hinirang na first runner-up na si Stacey Garbriel ng Cainta.
Read: Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Question and Answer
Pero ayon kay Chelsea, magkatunggali man sila ay parang pamilya ang turingan nila ni Stacey.
Saad niya, "She's one of those candidates that, you know, I didn't feel like...
"She was, you know, like, like my co-candidate, but she was like a family to me.
"When we were on that stage, when we were there together, we were just talking about how much we love each other.
"I am that person who always, always tell, you know, 'I love you girls,' because no one else will tell us that on the backstage.
"But we were telling how much, you know, we have grown, how proud we are with each other.
"And I love Ate Stacey so much for that I know she'll do amazing."
Si Chelsea ang kakatawan ng Pilipinas sa Miss Universe 2024 na gaganapin sa Mexico sa September 2024.
Read: Ahtisa Manalo, Alexie Brooks also win titles at MUPH 2024