Chelsea Manalo in her ‘Hiraya’ national costume for the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. Image: Facebook/Seven Barretto, Chelsea Manalo
Chelsea Manalo was resplendent in her national costume at the preliminary show for the 2024 Miss Universe pageant held at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 14 (Nov. 15 in Manila).
“La Bulakenya” executed her signature sultry strides when she appeared in the creation of Manny Halasan, the Bulacan-based accessories and fashion designer who has been at her back since her first foray in national pageantry years ago.
The costume, dubbed “Hiraya,” is “a symbolism of the far and profound history and relationship between the Philippines and Mexico. It reflects the shared deep devotion of both countries to religion. It depicts the colorful and historical introduction of Christianization and Islam in the Philippines,” Manalo said on social media.
“Hiraya,” she added, evokes hope or a wish, and the costume channels her faith in God. “Despite all the hardships, chaos, roadblocks and redirection that we go through, believe that there is hope and Divine guidance from a Higher Being,” she said.
The costume’s main dress is made using the “inaul’ traditional fabric in Mindanao, with “tongkaling” bells attached and creating a sound with every step. It also employed “puni,” or decorative coconut fronds popular in Bulacan.
The attached overskirt features an image of Our Lady of Good Voyage, brought to the Philippines from Mexico. The headdress, meanwhile, features a bejeweled Spanish galleon representing the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade centuries ago. Halasan finished the look with matching fans.
All 127 delegates in this year’s competition took part in the national costume show, one of the most highly anticipated events in the annual pageant. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios and her predecessor R’Bonney Gabriel hosted the ceremonies.
The stage burst into colors and sparkles with the various costumes paraded by the delegates, taking inspiration from their respective countries’ culture, heritage and festivals.
And as in most national costume shows, the requisite representation of different flora and fauna species still took centerstage in the parade of plumes and petals.
The costume show will not earn marks for the ladies in the race to the semifinals, but the event is still a favorite among pageant fans. Last year, the Philippines’ Michelle Marquez Dee amassed the most online votes for national costume.
Manalo is hoping to post the Philippines’ fifth win in the international pageant. The Miss Universe 2024 coronation show will be held in the same arena on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila).