Chelsea Manalo stuns in ‘dark horse’ shoot: ‘Victory is mine for the taking’

Chelsea Manalo. Image: Instagram/@sevenbarretto, @manalochelsea

Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo served looks in a photoshoot that references how pageant observers see her—a “dark horse.”

Manalo looked stunning while posing beside a black horse, donning a cream crocheted floor-length dress with back cutout detail, as seen on her Instagram page on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

In one of the photos taken by photographer Seven Barretto, the Bulakenya beauty queen even appears standing on top of the horse.

“Labels may say ‘dark horse,’ but my victory will be defined by my authenticity and determination,” she captioned her post. “Victory is mine for the taking.”

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Manalo was dubbed a dark horse after she bested frontrunners and veterans with her quiet but lethal approach in the national competition held last May 22.

Manalo made history as the first Filipina of African descent to win the Miss Universe Philippines crown. She will represent the country in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year.

“I once thought that a fallen star can never be reborn. For years it kept itself absorbed in the dark void, [but] it once again found its light. I was that star and last night I shone brightest because of all the love and support I received,” Manalo said after winning the crown.

“Sa’yo mahal kong Pilpinas, gagawin ko ang lahat para iuwi ang pang-limang korona. Hindi kita bibiguin. Ilalaban natin ito,” she vowed.