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Marina Summers, Chelsea Manalo and Alden Richards at the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 coronation night. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Empire Philippines
Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan emerged as the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 as she proved herself deserving of the title at the coronation night held on May 22.
But aside from Manalo and the rest of the candidates’ showcase of beauty and wit, the five-hour-long event also offered noteworthy moments that made it to the top trending topics on social media platforms. Here’s some of them:
Marina Summers and Michelle Dee’s opening number
Marina Summers and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee leveled up to the excitement of the audience at the Mall of Asia Arena, as the queens opened the event with a fusion of traditional and modern performance.
Marina performed her song “Amafilipina,” drawing more cheers after introducing herself à la candidate: “Marina Summers, the Philippines!”
Marina and Dee concluded the opening number surrounded by the 53 delegates, striking their poses on stage.
Female hosts R’Bonney Gabriel, Jeannie Mai, Gabbi Garcia in Filipino-made gowns
Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel, Emmy award-winning host Jeannie Mai and actress Gabbi Garcia slayed their hosting duties donning creations of Filipino designers. Gabriel and Mai’s dresses were by designers Larry Espinosa and Ehrran Montoya, while Garcia’s were by Mark Bumgarner, Mara Chua, Anthony Ramirez and Bonita Penarada.
The female stunners were joined by Alden Richards and Tim Yap who both looked dapper in their elevated suits.
Image: screengrab from YouTube/Empire Philippines
Alden Richards’ ‘aggressive’ announcement
Richards, who had the honors to announce the Top 20 and Top 5 finalists at the event, caught the attention of pageant fans for his rather “aggressive” and seemingly “angry” delivery of the announcement.
While being a subject of memes on social media, Richards earned the commendation of netizens for his efficient hosting and for his rapport with his fellow hosts.
Thai actor Win Metawin serenaded the Miss Universe Philippines candidates with his version of Filipino singer Zack Tabudlo’s “Obsessed.” Metawin’s performance, however, didn’t sound quite smooth to online viewers seemingly due to broadcast glitches.
Michelle Dee’s Apo Whang-Od tribute gown
For her final walk as the Miss Universe Philippines 2023, Dee donned once again the Apo Whang-Od tribute gown that she wore for the Miss Universe 2023 evening gown competition.
In her speech, Dee underscored how she “embraced [her] authentic self and stopped trying to conform” during her reign.
Miss Camiguin and Miss Oriental Mindoro peeking at the winner card
Miss Camiguin and Miss Oriental Mindoro drew laughs after they were spotted trying to take a peek at the winner card held by host Richards. The two beauty queens seemingly succeeded in knowing the winners ahead of the announcement as they were seen whispering to each other and covering their mouths in excitement.
Image: screengrab from YouTube/Empire Philippines
Stacey Gabriel, Chelsea Manalo’s tight hug after winner announcement
Fans were all praises for Cainta bet Stacey Gabriel, who immediately pulled Bulacan’s Chelsea Manalo for a tight hug after the Bulakeña beauty queen’s name was announced as the titleholder.
Gabriel, who finished second, even held Manalo’s hands and cheered for her, which was regarded as a “genuine moment” by netizens.
Image: screengrab from YouTube/Empire Philippines
Michelle Dee crowning her successor Chelsea Manalo
The exhilaration during Manalo’s crowning moment was apparently not the only one evident to pageant fans, as they even noticed how Dee put the crown on her successor’s head in a rather unsecured placement.
For this reason, Manalo seemingly tried to balance her head for a few seconds to prevent the crown from falling off her head. Dee then fixed the crown placement before Manalo took her first walk as the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 titleholder.
Dee and the netizens later poked fun at the incident, with some making memes out of it.
New Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan, with predecessor Michelle Marquez Dee. Screengrab from Empire PH YouTube channel
But aside from the delightful and amusing highlights, netizens also pointed out aspects from the event that were suggested for improvement. Some of those were the broadcast glitches and the long commercial breaks, leading to the program being held for five long hours—from Wednesday night, May 22, to early morning of Thursday, May 23.
Nonetheless, the coronation event brought pageant fans together for a night dedicated to Filipino women, and that is a win in itself.
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