Top 10 Reasons Filipinos Should Be Proud

MEXICO CITY — The excitement is palpable as the 73rd Miss Universe pageant approaches, with nearly 130 countries participating in Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX).

This year, the Filipinos are at the forefront of the competition for the coveted crown.

Four contestants of Filipino descent

1. The Philippines’ representative, Chelsea Manalo, makes history as the country’s first Filipino black U.S. delegate. She is among the beauty queens vying to succeed the reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

The pressure is on, with expectations high that Chelsea will bring home the Philippines’ fifth Miss U crown.

Chelsea’s unique features and biracial beauty have garnered attention on social media, including praise from former supermodel and TV personality Tyra Banks. In Chelsea’s official headshot for Miss Universe, captioned “Philippines, let’s make it happen,” Banks commented, “Get it girl!!!!!”

Chelsea are not alone in the competition. Three other half-Pinay contestants will grace the Miss Universe stage: New Zealand’s Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Great Britain’s Christina Dela Cruz Chalk and Bahrain’s Shereen Ahmed.

You may like: Chelsea Manalo meets with Fil-Am community ahead of Miss Universe tilt

2. Victoria Velasquez Vincent is a Filipino Kiwi model and pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2024.

Her mother, Josephine, was born and raised in Auckland, and hails from Bacoor, Cavite. After overcoming a challenging past of relationship violence, she rebranded herself by dropping her first name, Kim, at the age of 22.

Vincent represented East Auckland during the final night held at the Dorothy Winstone Center on September 29, where she also won the Best in Swimsuit and People’s Choice awards.

You may also like: Fil-Kiwi Victoria Vincent spotlights Miss Universe ‘sisters’

3. Christina Dela Cruz Chalk is a Filipina-British beauty pageant titleholder who recently won the title of Miss Universe, Great Britain 2024.

After three previous attempts, she finally secured the crown in July. Christina grew up in Dunblane, Scotland, and is the daughter of a Filipino mother and a Scottish father. She has a degree in pharmacology from the University of Glasgow and started modeling at 15, gaining recognition as the New Face of Scotland at the Scottish Fashion Awards in 2009.

Christina has also modeled for high-profile brands such as Swarovski and Vogue. In 2013, she appeared on the reality TV show Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model.

You may like: Philippine queens share bonding moments at Miss Universe 2024

4. Another notable contestant is Shereen Ahmed, a half-Filipino and half-Bahraini beauty who has been crowned Miss U Bahrain 2024.

A 29-year-old television host, Shereen seized the opportunity to compete after the pageant’s age limit was lifted, ultimately securing the Miss U Bahrain title.

She joins Chelsea as the fourth Filipino contestant vying for the prestigious crown this year.

You like: Miss Universe bets from Bahrain, Egypt in the Philippines for party training

A new leadership role for a Filipino skincare mogul

5. In January of this year, the Miss Universe Organization welcomed a new vice president: Filipina skincare mogul Olivia Quido-Co from Los Angeles. The Fil-Am entrepreneur and skincare expert has been named vice president of global partnerships, in addition to her ongoing role as CEO and president of the Miss Universe Skincare and Spa division.

Quido-Co has been a vital presence in the Miss U pageant for years, serving as the official skin care provider and most recently as a judge for the 2023 pageant.

Just yesterday, she convened national directors and business partners for an impactful town hall meeting where they explored new opportunities, innovations and collaborations aimed at taking competition to new heights.

Last week, she spent time with the Miss U candidates and shared conversations filled with laughter and gratitude.

“I am grateful to have shared the stage with 130 talented delegates at the Beauty Day Masterclass in Mexico. It was an unforgettable day of elegance, empowerment and inspiration!” she said in a social media post.

Quido-Co arrived in Mexico a week before the finals, excited to engage with everyone involved.

“We aim to be more inclusive and welcoming and empower all women from different backgrounds and cultures around the world,” she told Inquirer.net USA.

You may like: Fil-Am Skincare Expert Named Miss Universe Organization’s VP of Global Partnerships

Global fashion icon Michael Cinco joins the judging panel

6. Filipino designer Michael Cinco, a global fashion icon based in Dubai, has been selected as one of the judges for Miss U 2024.

Founded in 2003, Cinco’s eponymous label has gained international recognition and he will now play a pivotal role in the selection of the next Miss Universe.

“I am truly honored to be part of the Miss Universe 2024 selection committee,” Cinco told Inquirer.net USA. “This opportunity allows me to witness and celebrate the remarkable talents, intelligence and strength of participants from around the globe. It is inspiring to see so many unique stories and perspectives come together on such a magnificent platform. It is a privilege to be involved in to elect a representative who will use their voice to make an impact on the world stage, and I look forward to seeing each contestant shine.”

From his studio in the Dubai Design District, Michael has dressed global icons such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Rihanna. In 2016, he became the first Filipino designer invited to Paris Fashion Week.

Cinco’s designs have often appeared at Miss Universe. He created the dress worn by Miss USA Elle Smith in 2021 and dressed judges Urvashi Rautela and Iris Mittenaere.

Notably, his creations were worn by Miss U 2020 Andrea Meza when she crowned India’s Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021 and by Pia Wurtzbach during her final tour in 2016. His exquisite gowns have also graced contestants from countries such as Canada, Romania, Argentina, Uruguay and the Czech Republic.

You may like: Michael Cinco sparks jaw-dropping moments at LA Fashion Week

This year’s competition will be hosted by previous winners R’Bonney Gabriel and Catriona Gray.

7. For the third year in a row, Catriona has been invited to act as commentator for Miss Universe. She previously held this role in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2022 and in El Salvador in 2023. This year, she returns to Mexico City.

Gray mentioned in a report that although she was considered for the main host position, she feels blessed to be anchored on the sidelines of the event.

You may also like: Catriona Gray shines at the New York premiere of ‘The Idea of ​​You’

8. Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel is excited to make her debut as host of the preliminary round.

Both Catriona, originally from Australia, and R’Bonney, from Texas, are biracial and now based in the Philippines, where they thrive in their individual showbiz careers.

You may like: R’Bonney Gabriel Debuts PH Collection at Bench Fashion Week

New Miss Universe crown designed by Filipino artisan

9. The new Miss Universe crown, called “Lumiere De L’Infini”, was made by a designer from Cebu and has gold plating adorned with 23 golden pearls.

This year’s crown was presented by current Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios, during yesterday’s ceremony in Mexico City.

The unveiling event attracted prominent figures including Raul Rocha, president of Miss Universe, and Anne Jakrajutatip, CEO of JKN Global Group, the pageant’s parent company.

Describing the crown as “the most beautiful in the history of Miss Universe,” Rocha highlighted its elements that reflect the organization’s rich history.

Designed by Jewelmer, a Cebu-based jeweler collaborating with Miss Universe for the first time, the crown showcases traditional craftsmanship and incorporates the rare golden pearl, the national pearl of the Philippines. The event was attended by 127 participants and notables from the party world, including Osmel Sousa and various delegation directors.

10. Jojo Bragais unveiled a new pair of heels called the Chelsea, inspired by Chelsea Manalo, just before the Miss U pageant.

The open metallic silver heels are designed to celebrate “relentless dreamers and resilient underdogs” who embody the spirit of perseverance.

Bragais has a strong history in pageantry and has designed shoes for various Miss U events since 2015.

You like: Filipina shoemaker Jojo Bragais joins the judging panel at the Miss USA pageant

This year’s competition has removed many previous restrictions, including age, marital status and body type for contestants. For the first time, the mothers were allowed to participate last year.

All delegates now in Mexico are preparing for the preliminary competition tonight. The main event and coronation will take place on November 16 at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico, marking the end of Sheynnis Palacios’ reign and the start of a new era for the iconic pageant.

The inaugural gala will showcase 30 finalists, while the final round will feature performances in evening gowns and swimwear.

This year’s competition includes nearly 130 women from around the world, selected through personal statements, interviews and various events.

During the final, the 30 selected candidates participate in a new swimsuit round, where 18 are eliminated. The remaining 12 will showcase evening gowns, leading to 7 more eliminations.

The final 5 will answer jury questions to find the winner.

In addition to Cinco, the selection committee includes notables such as producer Emilio Estefan, influencer Lele Pons, artist Romero Britto, fashion designer Eva Cavalli and former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner.

The Miss Universe 2024 pageant will air in Spanish on Telemundo on November 16 throughout the United States, with simulcasts on Telemundo Internacional and USA Network throughout Latin and Central America.