Chelsea Manalo during the Miss Universe 2024 Q&A rehearsals | Image: Instagram/@themissuniverseph
Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo reignited conversations after the viral footage during their rehearsals for the Miss Universe 2024 pageant showed her exceptional question and answer (Q&A) skills.
In the video posted on the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization Instagram page, Manalo was captured donning a yellow cocktail dress with her hair in a sleek high bun as the host asked her the question, “You just spent three weeks with the world’s most exceptional women; what have you learned from them?”
The Philippine bet, who finished in the Top 30 during the coronation, initially revealed her ability to handle a question with poise, wit, and eloquence that sparked admiration from the netizens.
“There are so many women right here with me that I don’t know how I can just sum it all up, but I think all coming together, we really did show our power. We really did show that we are not afraid to be who we are, to be as authentic as we can be. And I think that is what makes us all powerful, not just in three weeks, like it’s going to go beyond those years, that women are always going to be as powerful as [they] can be,” she stated.
In the comments section, Filipino fans continued to question how such talent went unnoticed in the competition’s final stretch, while others humored themselves by joking that Manalo should have held back during the rehearsals so she wouldn’t appear as a “threat” in the finals.
Image: Instagram/@themissuniverseph
“She is so good and very calm in delivering her answer. She is such a delight to watch and listen to. It’s such a shame but still proud of her for representing us gracefully,” said one netizen.
Image: Instagram/@themissuniverseph
“Sa susunod pag rehearsal top 5, wag gagalingan ang sagot. Save it on the proper contest [laughing emoji],” joked another IG user. (Next time during the rehearsals, don’t show off your abilities. Save it on the proper contest.)
Image: Instagram/@themissuniverseph
‘Peruppines’ shippers, unite!
Meanwhile, Tatiana Calmell of Peru, named the continental queen of America, recently showed her appreciation to Manalo, the continental queen of Asia, saying that she can’t wait to visit the Philippines.
“Sisterhood for life. @manalochelsea my roomie, my sis!!!!!!! I couldn’t ask for a better partner through this journey, the sweetest girl ever always with a smile on her face! Thank you, sis, for always staying positive and true to yourself! As we said at the start.. we will be together till the end, now as Miss Universe Asia and Americas. Can’t wait for our time in Filipinas soon! See you soon then, Chels!!!!!” she captioned her post on Wednesday, Nov. 20, alongside a picture of her and Manalo during the coronation night.
For her part, Manalo expressed her love for the Latina beauty whose friendship with her has fans coining the collective term “Peruppines” for them.
“Can’t wait to visit each other’s countries. Till the end ate, te amo mucho!” she commented on Calmell’s post, eliciting more responses from Peruvians and Filipinos alike.
Images from Instagram / @taticalmelldelsolar
