(From left) Chelsea Manalo and Beatrice Luigi Gomez. Photographs: Fb/Miss Universe Philippines, Instagram/@pioneerxstudios
When Chelsea Manalo‘s title was known as because the winner of the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, she made historical past as the primary girl of African descent to win the distinguished nationwide pageant. However her victory got here as a shock to many.
The dusky magnificence from Bulacan was who pageant observers would name a “silent killer,” or a “darkish horse,” owing to her quiet however deadly method, as in opposition to the fanfare that’s connected to the efficiency of frontrunners and veterans.
Now this doesn’t imply Manalo didn’t have a shot at successful the crown earlier than the nationwide tilt. She was ranked tenth and fourth within the remaining sizzling picks of pageant analysts Missosology and Sash Issue, respectively. Many followers, nevertheless, banked on the frontrunners Ahtisa Manalo, Stacey Gabriel, Christi McGarry, Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Kris Tiffany Janson, and Alexie Brooks to win the title.
Along with her quiet poise, Manalo offered the “plot twist” to turn out to be the sudden winner within the pageant.
Her victory is a reminder that the outcomes of the pageant won’t at all times sway towards the heavy favorites or frontrunners’ favor. In spite of everything, nobody can predict a queen’s future as a result of there are at all times the “silent killers” or “darkish horses” who would change the sport — and produce house the crown.
Take a look at under Manalo’s again story, in addition to different so-called “darkish horses” of native and worldwide pageantry.
Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024
Among the many elements that performed into Manalo’s sudden win was how 2024 was one of the aggressive editions of the pageant to this point. In spite of everything, lots of the candidates have been composed of veterans who competed in worldwide pageants and have been heavy favorites.
The 24-year-old Filipina earned rave opinions for her efficiency on the preliminary competitors. She additionally obtained the Miss Jojo Bragais award from the pageant’s official shoe supplier.
On the coronation evening, she wowed the viewers and viewers along with her sultry look and easy efficiency. Who may overlook that these quick pauses through the swimsuit competitors that virtually commanded the viewers to take take a look at her? If Catriona Grey has her lava stroll, and Michelle Dee has her viper stroll, Manalo’s strut, too, is unquestionably one thing to be careful for within the Miss Universe pageant later this yr.
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By the tip of the pageant, it was revealed that the Bulacan native waited for the correct time to point out all her playing cards. She entered the pageant as an “unbiased girl” with a beautiful assist community behind her, together with designer Manny Halasan.
R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022
One other silent killer got here within the type of Filipina-American R’Bonney Gabriel who clinched the Miss Universe 2022 crown after declaring she desires to be a “transformational chief” on the remaining question-and-answer portion.
Like Manalo, Gabriel has at all times been included within the sizzling picks of pageant analysts. However many critics and followers have been banking on Venezuela’s Amanda Dudamel, Philippines’ Celeste Cortesi, Puerto Rico’s Ashley Cariño, and Dominican Republic’s Andreína Martinez to win the crown.
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But the style designer’s breakthrough on the nationwide tilt rode on her wit, — and her beautiful Rian Fernandez night robe — plastering her life motto “If not now, then when?” on her swimsuit cape.
Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss Universe Philippines 2021
Earlier than making historical past as the primary bisexual to win the Miss Universe Philippines crown, Gomez has her smoldering eyes on the prize, and she or he didn’t go unnoticed by analysts. Nevertheless, Taguig’s Katrina Dimaranan, Cebu Province’s Steffi Aberasturi, and Pangasinan’s Maureen Wroblewitz have been the heavy favorites again then.
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Armed along with her signature straight locks and smize, Gomez stepped on the coronation stage with a magnetic presence that was inconceivable to disregard. She bagged the Finest in Swimsuit and Finest in Night Robe awards — which turned out to be the celebs aligning for her eventual win.
Gomez carried her quiet confidence to the Miss Universe 2021 stage the place she awed the viewers along with her efficiency, ending within the Prime 5 of the competitors.
Rabiya Mateo, Miss Universe Philippines 2020
Rabiya Mateo’s case in her Miss Universe Philippines 2020 journey was completely different. She was the favourite of Missosology to win the crown, however followers have been campaigning for pageant veterans Michele Gumabao, Alaiza Malinao, and Pauline Amelinckx to get the title.
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Aside from her question-and-answer expertise, Mateo flaunted her allure in her white two-piece on the swimsuit competitors and her pink Jung Candelario costume on the night robe portion. It was obvious then that she had the crown within the bag.
Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016
France’s Iris Mittenaere was by no means off the pageant analysts’ radar, however she waited for the correct time to put her queenly qualities on the desk earlier than successful the Miss Universe 2016 crown.
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Earlier than the coronation evening, Missosology tagged Brazil’s Raissa Santana, Thailand’s Chalita Suansane, Nicaragua’s Marina Jacoby, Australia’s Caris Tiivel, and Philippines’ Maxine Medina to carry house the coveted title.
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