During the preliminaries and special presentations of the more than 50 candidates in the recently concluded Miss Universe Philippines (MUP), she wasn’t in the most favorite or standouts.
She didn’t even win any special award.
As a matter of fact, she was a low profile if not dark horse.
She wasn’t even mentioned as one of the frontrunners in the contest.
She was just a plain Jane among the vivacious and showstoppers.
But during the coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena, Bulacan’s bet Chelsea Manalo did her best to outshine her rivals to the throne.
Chelsea knew how to play the game in the last minute especially in her evening gown wear and the way she answered the question.
She walked with grace and elan.
She thought sensibly.
Manalo’s proclamation earned a lot of reactions bordering on the racist slurs as she is the first black Filipina beauty queen to win the coveted title of Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
In the loads of insults hurled against her color, entertainment journalist Tonee Coraza has this to say on Chelsea’s critics: “Wag kayong racist, kapwa Pinoy nyo ang binabanatan nyo, kung makapanglait 'kala mo mga tisay e kakulay nyo naman ang (Let’s not be racist, the one you’re sneering at is a fellow Filipino, you think you’re someone else with fair complexion, a mestiza but you share the same skin as the) new Ms U Phils.”
Prestigious Jefferson awardee for community arts and culture in the US, Mauro Tumbocon, Jr., also known as Mike Feria, the critic (former Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP), founder of KRITIKA and Young Critics Circle (YCC) and organizer of Filipino American Cine Festival (FACINE) in San Francisco, California now on its 40th year), has these socio-political thoughts on Manalo’s win: “Refreshing cultural change…History making. Unprecedented. The first black Filipina ever crowned Miss Philippines Universe, Chelsea Ann Manalo of Bulacan, will represent the Philippines in this year’s Miss Universe competition in Mexico.
“This after a long history of the competition where the Philippines continues to be represented by fair-skinned Filipinas, be it Castillan, Anglo or East Asian.
“Wishing you the best, Miss Philippines Universe. Say, Manalo! (win)”
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #MUP #MU2024