From the first-ever Filipino-crafted Miss Universe crown, to Pinoy fashion designers dressing up various delegates from across the world, to MUPH being awarded as ‘Best Host Country’– seems like the Philippines has been having a lot of winning moments already at the 73rd edition of the Miss Universe pageant.
This Miss Universe pageant season is proving to be a memorable one for the Philippines, with a number of remarkable milestones and wins, not just from PH representative Chelsea Manalo. Here are our favorite Miss Universe winning moments for the Philippines this season so far:
1.The Philippines as ‘Best Host Country’
The grand coronation night of Miss Universe 2024 is not even here yet, but the Miss Universe Philippines organization has already received a distinctive recognition from the prestigious international pageant group.
The Miss Universe Philippines org was given the ‘Best Host Country’ award during the Miss Universe 2024 preliminaries. This is in relation with the heartwarming welcome of the Philippines to reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios in May 2024.
In an Instagram post, the Philippine team described the award as a testament to the famed Filipino hospitality, and an “unexpected yet welcome feather in the cap.” MUPH president Jonas A. Gaffud accepted the award on behalf of the org.
2. First Filipino-Crafted Miss Universe Crown
On November 13, Miss Universe president and owner Raul Rocha along with Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip expressed their excitement for the new Miss Universe crown created by Filipino luxury house Jewelmer.
The new Miss Universe crown is named the “Light of Infinity” and is made of 23 golden South Sea pearls from the Philippines. It’s also studded with gold and diamonds, with resemblance to sun with long rays– created with traditional techniques practiced at Paris’ Place Vendôme.
Jewelmer CEO Jacques Branellec shared that it took two years to make the crown, sighting the feat as a “historic moment for our brand and also the Philippines.”
“We don’t have words to express how grateful we are. We’re so thankful for the trust. They trusted us blindly and said we had full creative control. They gave us that. The fact that they’re appreciating the new crown for us is an honor for our family, our country,” Branellec said.
Meanwhile, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 titleholder Chelsea Manalo got all the more inspired to take home the Miss U crown.
“Feeling fired up and determined to give my best after seeing the first Filipino-crafted Miss Universe crown up close!” Chelsea wrote in an Instagram post.
3.Tyra Banks Cheers On For Miss Universe Philippines 2024
Chelsea is not the only one fired up for her Miss Universe journey. American supermodel Tyra Banks is visibly supportive of the first-ever half-Filipino, half-African-American to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant. The model cheered on for the PH rep in a comment she wrote in a headshot post on Instagram.
“Get it, girl!!!!” Tyra wrote. Chelsea remarked in an interview with Empire that Tyra is actually one of the women she looks up to.
“She motivates and influences people at a young age, like me,” the beauty queen said.
Chelsea has always been very vocal about her journey as a beauty queen with darker skin color.
“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,” she imparted in an Instagram post.
Breaking barriers on how Filipinos see beauty beyond the cookie cutter? Now that’s one real big win.
4.Miss Philippines 2024’s ‘Hiraya’
Hiraya is the ancient Filipino word for “hope” — one that was the theme of the national costume of Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
“Hiraya is a vision of what will become…. It is clear in your mind, and it speaks truthfully in your heart. It is a vision of what and how things are in the future. Believing in once was a dream and aspiration to being able to touch and live it into reality,” Chelsea wrote in her Instagram post.
With aesthetic details inspired by both Catholicism and Islam, the national costume of the Philippine delegate explores faith, as well as religious heritage that’s been dominant in the country for centuries.
Chelsea also shared that the Catholic-inspired back details of her gown represent her devotion to the Black Madonna, the Our Lady of Antipolo.
The fabulous couture was designed by Filipino fashion designer Manny Halasan.
5.Filipino Fashion Designers for Various Miss Universe 2024 Candidates
Filipino fashion designers are getting more and more in demand for beauty pageant couture, as evident in their even more dominant presence in the global pageant stages the past couple of years.
For the Miss Universe 2024 preliminaries, some Filipino fashion designers who got fantastic stints to design couture for representatives include Ehrran Montoya for Miss Universe Great Britain Christina Chalk, Rian Fernandez for Miss USA Alma Cooper, and more.
6.Michael Cinco as Part of the Miss Universe Preliminaries Panel of Judges
Speaking of Filipino fashion designers taking on the global stage, Michael Cinco was also raising the flag of the Philippines as one of the judges during the Miss Universe 2024 preliminaries in Mexico.
Cinco gained greater worldwide popularity in the fashion scene during his stint as one of the designer guests and judges during America’s Next Top Model Cycle 16, which featured his design and couture house based in Dubai.
During the recent Miss U prelims, Michael was described as “superstar Filipino fashion designer.”
The couturier showed his excitement over his judging stint for the pageant, writing on Instagram, “What an incredible honor to be part of the Miss Universe 2024 selection committee during the preliminary competition here in the vibrant heart of Mexico City. Witnessing beauty, grace, and empowerment on one global stage tonight. Let the journey to the crown begin. Thank you @missuniverse.”
7. More Filipinas Competing for the Miss Universe 2024 Crown
Chelsea Manalo may be representing the Philippines in this season’s Miss Universe competition, but she is not the only Filipina woman in this year’s Miss U circuit.
Pageant veteran Christina Chalk is the Scottish-Filipina representing Great Britain in the Miss Universe 2024 contest.
Meanwhile, Filipina-Kiwi Victoria Velasquez Vincent is Miss Universe 2024 New Zealand. She was named Miss Universe Philippines Charity in 2021, and now vying for the Universe crown.
Shereen Ahmed is half-Filipina and half-Bahraini, and was recently crowned Miss Universe Bahrain 2024. In 2022, she was named second runner-up in her local pageant, but is now back stronger to represent her country in the Universe beauty competition.
8.Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Nola Hosted the Miss U Preliminaries
Miss Universe 2022 titleholder R’Bonney Nola served as the stage host for the Miss Universe 2024 preliminaries held in Mexico City, Mexico.
The half-Filipina, half-American lass totally did an amazing job introducing the candidates during the swimsuit, national costume and evening gown segments.
The former beauty queen slash fashion designer truly delivered some major hosting skills with her quirky personality on stage. There’s no short of Filipino talents at the Miss Universe 2024 scene!
Indeed, there are already a lot of Filipino milestones and memories we can cherish from the 73th edition of Miss Universe. This season is one for the books!
The grand coronation night will be held on the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico on November 16, 2024. It can be watched live via online on November 17th, 9AM in the Philippines on Miss Universe YouTube channel, as well as on ABS-CBN platforms like A2Z Channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, Metro Channel, and iWantTFC.
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