Chelsea Manalo | Image: Instagram/@manalochelsea
Amid her journey to the Miss Universe crown, Chelsea Manalo reflected on the significance of her being the first woman with “darker skin” to represent the Philippines in the international pageant, describing it as both a “personal achievement” and a “celebration of diversity.”
Manalo shared on Instagram her latest photoshoot, which featured her in a forest setting. With her curly hair laid down, the beauty queen donned a beige, asymmetrical dress, embodying confidence, as she emphasized in her caption that beauty isn’t defined by “a single shade.”
“To be the first woman with darker skin to wear the Miss Universe Philippines crown is more than a personal achievement — it’s a celebration of diversity, resilience, and self-acceptance. Growing up, I didn’t always see faces like mine in the world of beauty queens, but I learned that beauty isn’t defined by a single shade, shape, or standard. It lives within the authenticity we bring to the world, the courage to embrace ourselves fully, and the belief that we are enough, exactly as we are,” she wrote.
The 25-year-old beauty queen affirmed that she dedicates the MUPH crown to every person who feels “unseen and underestimated” as they strive to build a world where every color and structure is recognized.
“This crown is not just for me but for every person who has felt unseen, unheard, or underestimated. May my journey remind you that our uniqueness is our power, and self-love is our foundation. To anyone who has ever doubted the beauty within them—keep pushing forward. Know that you, too, have the strength to break boundaries, to redefine beauty, and to inspire others along the way. Let’s continue to build a world where all shades, all voices, and all dreams are celebrated,” she concluded her post.
Manalo is currently in Mexico and has been delighting her Instagram followers by sharing her glamorous photoshoots and other media appearances as she participates in the pageant’s pre-coronation activities.
She is vying for the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown on coronation night on Nov. 16. The preliminary and national costume competitions are set for Nov. 14.