13 things about Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo

Chelsea Anne Manalo represented Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines in the seventh edition of Miss World Philippines and the province in the fifth edition of Miss Universe Philippines. She represented the country in the 73rd edition of Miss Universe.

BIOGRAPHY

Manalo is the Filipino-American model and beauty queen who made history as the first ever black Miss Universe Philippines and the first ever Miss Universe Asia. Before winning Miss Universe Philippines 2024, she worked with designers Mark Bumgarner and Job Dacon and several publishing companies including Mega Magazine and Preview.

On October 14, 2025, Manalo turned 26. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. She was born in Meycauayan to a black American father and her Filipino mother Contessa Manalo.
2. She started competing in beauty pageants in high school.
3. While working as a print, ramp and commercial model, she attended the De La Salle Araneta University in Malabon, Metro Manila, Philippines.
4. After her parents divorced in 2002, her mother married Randy Castro Angeles, who raised her as his own daughter.
5. From 2010 to 2011, she attended grade school in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States where she met her biological father and bonded with him.
6. In 2014, she started modeling professionally.
7. She is Miss World Meycauayan 2017.
8. She was a Miss World Philippines 2017 semifinalist.
9. In 2022, she graduated from the De La Salle Araneta University with a bachelor’s degree in tourism management.
10. In 2024, she visited Mexico.
11. She is Miss Universe Bulacan 2024.
12. She won Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
13. She was a Miss Universe 2024 semifinalist.

TIMELINE

Chelsea is 5’8″ tall. Her Miss Universe 2024 roommate was Tatiana Calmell del Solar of Peru.

2010s

• She was featured in the June 2016 issue of Metro magazine.
• From August 12-13, 2017, she was featured as a model in a bridal exhibit and fashion show in Malolos, Bulacan.
• On August 25, 2017, she visited Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines for the first time.
• On September 3, 2017, she competed against 34 other Miss World Philippines 2017 candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She finished in the Top 15.
• In September 2018, she had a photoshoot at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
• In August 2019, she joined Kids for Kids, a youth-led organization that aims to create a safe space for children, as a volunteer.

2020s

• In April 2021, she became a Bench endorser.
• On February 17, 2022, she received a certificate of academic excellence from the De La Salle Araneta University.
• On August 26, 2022, she graduated from the De La Salle Araneta University.
• On February 17, 2024, she was officially appointed Miss Universe Bulacan 2024.
• On May 22, 2024, she represented Bulacan at Miss Universe Philippines 2024, competed against 52 other candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and won the title. Her mother and her stepfather attended the coronation ceremony.
• On November 16, 2024, she represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2024 and competed against 124 candidates at the Arena Ciudad de México (Arena CDMX) in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City. Mexico. She finished in the Top 30 and was crowned Miss Universe Asia 2024.
• On November 30, 2024, it was announced that she won the Best National Costume award at Miss Universe 2024.
• On December 2, 2024, she traveled to Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
• She and her fellow Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidates were featured in the documentary film “A Queen’s Runway”, which premiered on Netflix on April 10, 2025.
• On May 2, 2025, she crowned her successor Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.