Chelsea Manalo meets Pia Wurtzbach at Pride Night 2024

Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo (left) and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach/CHELSEA MANALO FACEBOOK PHOTO

The throngs of gay men who trooped to Pride Night 2024 were treated to a parade of their “idols” when reigning Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach graced the annual celebration of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and others) community.

The merrymaking happened at the Bridgetowne Open Grounds in Pasig City on June 1, the first day of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, and saw thousands of people in the community and their allies engaged in activities and enjoying the program.

The event was mounted by the LoveYourself Philippines, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower individuals through self-affirmation, and programs that address pressing issues that the community faces. Wurtzbach has been one of its ambassadors who has stayed on for many years and continues to lend her fame for its projects.

Garbed in a chartreuse ensemble with long fringes attached to an asymmetrical neckline, Wurtzbach took the stage carrying the LGBTQIA+ rainbow flag, which she waved so valiantly before the audience. “Happy Pride! Maraming maraming salamat sa pagpunta n’yo dito. Ansayang tignan na nagsasama-sama tayo (Thank you very much for coming here. It’s so happy to see us all together) for this, June 1, kickoff ng (of) Pride Month. I’m so proud to be an ally, and I’m so proud to be here, to be with all of you,” she said.

Pia Wurtzbach waves the LGBTQIA+ flag./MISSOSOLOGY FACEBOOK PHOTO

“Sabi ko hindi pwedeng ma-miss ko itong araw na ito. Gusto ko kayong makita, gusto ko kayong makasama, gusto kong makisaya. Kaya maraming salamat sa pagpunta. Kahit na medyo mainit, okay lang, maganda pa rin tayong lahat (I said I should not miss this day. I want to see you, I want to be with you, I want to celebrate. So thank you very much for coming. Even if it is a bit hot, it is okay, all of us are still beautiful),” the beauty queen said.

Wurtzbach also asked the people to support Manalo, as well as 2025 Miss Supranational Tarah Valencia who also came to the event, as the two ladies embark on their respective international competitions. “Nakakatuwang makitang dumadami na tayong mga allies, marami nang mga beauty queen ang nagiging advocate na rin ng LGBTQIA+ community. At hindi na lang ako, hindi na lang si Catriona [Gray, 2018 Miss Universe], madami na kami (It’s a delight to see the allies growing, so many beauty queens are becoming LGBTQIA+ community advocates. And it’s not just me, not just Catriona, there are many of us),” she declared.

The international beauty titleholder and global fashion influencer reminded that people in attendance that Pride Month is not only a celebration, and raised the challenges still faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, such as stigma and discrimination.

Wurtzbach also called on the allies, or cisgender individuals who stand beside the LGBTQIA+ community, to continue raising awareness and extending support. “Tuwing may pinagdadaanan ang (When there are challenges facing the) LGBTQIA+ community, it’s the allies that are there to help fight for the cause, to help fight for the rights, to help fight for their presence. So, maraming salamat sa lahat ng allies, at sana dumami pa tayo (Thank you very much to all the allies, may we grow in number),” she said.

She said being an ally is not only for celebrities or powerful people, and told the audience that everyone can help, whatever their status in society may be. “[Kapag] may nakikita na kayo sa harap n’yo na something na nangyayari na hindi fair, na merong sitwasyon na pwede ka sanang makatulong sa iyong LGBTQIA+ kababayan (When you something happening before you that is not fair, that there is a situation where you can help your LGBTQIA+ compatriot), member of the family, kaibigan, tulungan natin sila. Simulan natin iyan sa bahay. Huwag tayong pumayag na gawing biro na gumagamit ng (friend, let us help them. Let us start at home. We should not allow to be used as jokes) slurs, tanggalin na natin iyan, hindi na dapat iyan tanggap ngayon (let us remove that, it should not be acceptable now),” she said.

“Let’s educate other people and make them understand that this is a community for all. It’s not a ‘you vs. me,’ it’s all of us. Please start at home, start with your friends, if you feel na ‘wala namang matutulong ito,’ hindi (‘this would not help,’ no), because iyong tinutulungan mo na iyan, lalakas ang loob niyan, at isang araw siya naman ang may matutulungang iba (that person you are helping will become stronger, and one day they will be the one helping others),” Wurtzbach said.

She also asked the community and the allies to soldier on, not just this month, but to also extend the fight throughout the year.

The gathering was the first for Manalo to take part in. “It is actually my first-ever pride event today. And I think having this big of a community, it’s just a beautiful celebration to all come together, feel accepted, feel the love. And, yeah, #loveforall,” she said in a video posted by LoveYourself Philippines on social media.

Wearing a scarlet mini dress with string details on the shoulders and matching shawl, the reigning national titleholder delighted spectators with the “pasarela” (pageant walk) that helped her clinch the crown in the pageant last month. She also gave a sample of how she will introduce herself when she represents the Philippines in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year.