PH bet is the First Miss Universe Asia

Chelsea Manalo named first Miss Universe Asia

Story by Yoniel Acebuche 
Philstar.com
17 November 2024

The Philippines' Chelsea Manalo added to her impressive Miss Universe journey by claiming the title of Miss Universe Asia, one of the pageant's continental crowns.

On Instagram, Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) creative director Jonas Gaffud shared the good news on social media where Manalo, who finished in the top 30 of the pageant on Sunday, Nov. 17, was announced as Miss Universe Asia and was awarded by Miss Universe owner Anne Jakrajutatip.

"Yes Thank you, Lord! Chelsea has an award! Miss Universe Asia!" Gaffud wrote in the caption.

Meanwhile, MUPH shared a video of Manalo thanking her Filipino pageant fans for the feat.

"Hello, Maraming Salamat. Mabuhay [ang] Pilipinas, we are making history as Miss Universe Asia," she said.

Joining Manalo are Nigeria's Chidimma Adetshina, Finland's Matilda Wirtavuori, and Peru's Tati Calmell who were named continental queens for Africa & Oceania, Europe, and the Americas, respectively.

In case you didn't know, the selection of continental queen is among the new rules set for the 73rd Miss Universe, where four girls from their respective continents will receive this award.

As continental queens, they will accompany Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, the newly crowned Miss Universe, on some trips, who is expected to visit 35 countries.

According to a report by ABS-CBN News, Manalo will travel to Asian countries, including Thailand and Palawan in the Philippines.

Manalo ended her Miss Universe 2024 journey in the Top 30 during the coronation night in Mexico on Sunday, Nov. 17 (PH Time). If she won, she would be the fifth Pinay to win the coveted Miss Universe crown, following the wins of Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).

Meanwhile, Denmark's Theilvig has been crowned the 73rd Miss Universe, making her the first Danish woman to win the prestigious crown. This is also the first time since 1957 that Denmark has landed in the top five of the competition.

Philippines is Miss Universe ‘Best Host Tour Country’

Philippines is Miss Universe ‘Best Host Tour Country’

Aremin P. Adina 
Inquirer.net
16 November 2024

The Philippines has already won even before the actual Miss Universe competition, by being recognized as the “Best Host Tour Country” during the preliminary show.

Out of all the countries that reigning queen Sheynnis Palacios visited as titleholder, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) cited the Philippines as the best host.

Miss Universe 2024: Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios (second row, center) with the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines delegates during her visit to Manila. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) President Jonas Gaffud received the recognition, awarded at the culmination of the national costume show and preliminary competition held at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 14 (Nov. 15 in Manila).

“True to our famed Filipino Hospitality, the Philippines was awarded Best Host Tour Country by the [MUO]…[a]n unexpected yet welcome feather in the cap of the organization that rolled out the red carpet and led the most touching and heartwarming welcome for [Palacios] during her visit to the Philippines,” MUPH posted on social media.

Miss Universe 2024 crown is made in the Philippines

Jewelmer Makes First Filipino-Crafted Miss Universe Crown

Clara Umali

Cosmopolitan Philippines

13 November 2024

Fun  fact: There's been a total of 12 beautiful crowns in the history of the Miss Universe pageant until 2023. Four among them were Asian-made crowns: the Mikimito crown made in Japan, the Vietnamese CAO crown from 2008, and the two latest crowns from Mouwad. The renowned luxury jewelry house with Lebanese origin made the Miss Universe Diamond crown and the Force For Good crown.

And in 2024, another crown from Asia is set to make an addition to the long line of Miss Universe crowns. This time, we're boasting our very own crown made in the Philippines. (Which just makes perfect sense, since we've had four past Miss Universe winners!)

The First Filipino Miss Universe Crown

International luxury brand Jewelmer is the official crown sponsor of Miss Universe 2024. Through this partnership, the brand made history as they craft the first-ever Filipino crown in the pageant's many years. The announcement on November 12 immediately sparked excitement and pride from Filipinos and pageant fans across the world.

Source: Facebook.com/Rising Philippines

Both the crown itself and its name are yet to be unveiled. To appease curiosity, a teaser of what it could look like was shared on Instagram. The caption read, "Countless hands have contributed to this masterpiece—from Jewelmer's dedicated pearl farmers to the Filipino master craftsmen—making it a striking emblem of the magic that transpires when man works in harmony with nature."

Meanwhile, in a press release, Jewelmer wrote, "As the first Filipino-crafted crown in the Miss Universe Organization's renowned history, Jewelmer is honored to shine the light on the Philippines' beauty and artistry to international audiences." Adding, "one-of-a-kind creation was handcrafted by Filipino master craftsmen trained in the traditional techniques practiced in Place Vendôme, the center of elegance in France."

Through an Instagram post, Jewelmer CEO Jacques Christophe Branellec, also shared his excitement about the history-making collab. The joint venture between Jewelmer and Miss Universe is just in time for the brand's 45th anniversary.

In her visit to the Philippines, reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua also had the chance to wear Jewelmer pearls with her Filipiniana. 

Jewelmer In Miss Universe Philippines

Jewelmer first became the Miss Universe Philippines pearl sponsor in 2022. Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi was the first MUPH queen to wear the Jewelmer La Mer en Majesté crown. Currently, it's placed on Bulakenya beauty Chelsea Manalo's head as she's gearing to compete at the nearing Miss Universe 2024 pageant.

Miss Universe New Zealand Victoria Velasquez Vincent and Miss Universe Great Britain Christina Dela Cruz Chalk are among the queens who have a chance at wearing the new Miss Universe crown by Jewelmer. The two half-Filipinas also formerly vied for the La Mer en Majesté crown at the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant with Chelsea.

The Miss Universe 2024 pageant is happening on November 17 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico.