Can Chelsea Manalo’s calm and collected campaign bring Miss U crown?

Days from now, specifically on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m., Philippine time, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) will have its new queen.

The successor of Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023 from Nicaragua, will be known and should possess the three B’s — beauty, body and brains.

All 130 delegates from around the world are equally attractive, physically fit and smart. This year’s selection committee, however, will definitely consider those and see that aura and glow that makes the eventual winner standout come finals day.

Does Chelsea Manalo, the country’s bet for the 73rd edition of Miss U, have a shot at the crown?

The answer is in the affirmative.

The Filipino, Afro-American beauty from Bulacan reminds one of Miss Universe 1995 Chelsi Smith of the USA and Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad and Tobago. One would like to believe that her beauty, fit body, and height will get her noticed even if standing side by side with statuesque Latinas.

Chelsea is confident in expressing her thoughts in English and can give a piece of her mind on any topic. She has what it takes to be a spokesperson of the beauty pageant organization.

Content made available by beauty pageant expert vloggers reveals that Chelsea is having fun and has made friends with fellow candidates, like Peru.

That’s a peek into Chelsea being in her best behavior. This another “B” is one quality I think the MUO also appreciates and considers.

A beauty queen should get along with everybody and be a representation of endearing and good values. You know, universal values that people, regardless of geographical location and cultural background, hold close to their hearts.

In a beauty competition, rounds related to beauty, body, and brains such as swimsuit, evening gown, and question and answer, and even showing one’s best behavior, are aspects that a beauty delegate can have “control of.”

It means she can attend trainings to improve herself and bring out the best in her.

But there’s a dimension in any beauty pageant that is beyond the “control” of any delegate and even the latter’s supporters. That’s the judges’ overall assessment and impression on every participant — and fate that changes the course of the game.

Who among these global beauties or fairest is destined to ace every round of the competition and be the winner?

Having reached the Miss U finals, every candidate has the right to wear the Miss U title.

Sometimes, it’s a matter of whose stars will align on that day to grant her wish to be Miss Universe in Mexico City and for a year, as a manner of speaking.

Chelsea has a chance to be one and the possibility to follow in the footsteps of Pinay Miss Universe winners Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018).

She may also join the Top 5/6 or runners-up circle of Janine Tugonon and Miriam Quiambao (first), Ariella Arida, Shamcey Supsup, Desiree Verdadero, Rosario “Chat” Silayan, Lalaine Bennett (third) and Venus Raj and Rose Marie Brosas (fourth), Beatrice Gomez, Maxine Medina and Charlene Gonzalez, or the group of semifinalists (Top 10/12/20) of Michelle Marquez Dee, Rachel Peters, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Rabiya Mateo, Gazini Ganados, Geraldine Asis, Guadalupe Sanchez, Barbara Crespo, Clarinda Soriano, Louise Vail and Blesilda Ocampo.

For sure, every Pinoy beauty aficionado and fan appreciates the calm and collected attitude that Chelsea is showing so far and can sense her intention to win the fifth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.

Although it’s what we wish for as the ending of Chelsea’s campaign at the Miss U, I think the time has come for a European beauty to be crowned as the winner. Beauty pageant experts see it in Miss Finland, who said to captivate one with her pasarela walk, which is crucial in swimsuit and evening gown, and confidence in the interviews.

If my memory serves me right, the European nation, Norway, was crowned in 1990, while Spain came close to the Miss Universe title by placing first runner-up in 2013.

It could also be a time for Thailand to have its third Miss Universe title after a first runner-up finish last year and Top 5/6 and Top 10 placements in previous editions, except in 2022, where R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA, also half-Pinay, won the title, and 2021.

For this year, the preliminary round, which includes swimsuit and interview, determines the 30 candidates who will proceed to the semi-finals. From there, 12 will advance and compete for the Top 5. An interview segment and a last look will help the judges rank them as fourth, third, second, and first runners-up and the winner.

I think Chelsea will continue the semi-final appearance of the Philippines that Michelle has started in the Miss Universe edition in El Salvador and hopefully, she will reach the Top 12 and Top 5. At this point of the competition, the only thing one can do is believe in Chelsea and trust her. Chelsea’s smile will also make a difference to create that winning glow, a distinct characteristic that winners exude come pageant finals.

Who knows? Her calm and collected attitude at the Miss Universe may lead to another historic campaign as she did at the Miss Universe Philippines.

Yes, Chelsea is the first Miss Philippines of Afro-American descent that wears the Philippine sash on the Miss Universe stage.

(Watch the Miss Universe 2024 finals on A2Z Channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, Metro Channel, and iWantTFC.)