We're about to hear "Chelsea Manalo, Philippines!" very soon! The Miss Universe 2024 pageant is drawing near and the candidates have been very busy with their pre-pageant activities. Among those they attended was the grand unveiling of the first Filipino-made Miss Universe crown a.k.a. the Light of Infinity by Jewelmer, which was revealed on November 13 in Mexico.
On the night of November 14 in Mexico, the 126 delegates of the 73rd edition of Miss Universe (the most number of competing contestants in the pageant's long history) showcased their culture, physique, and elegance through the preliminary competition. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was joined by Filipino-American Miss Universe 2022 R'bonney Gabriel as the hosts for the national costume and swimsuit segments of the program. Meanwhile, celebrated Filipino designer Michael Cinco was among the night's judges.
For the National Costume competition, Chelsea donned a creation by Bulacan-based designer Manny Halasan called, "Hiraya."
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Through an Instagram post, Chelsea detailed the meaning behind it. She wrote, "Hiraya is a vision of what will become. It is clear in your mind, and it speaks truthfully in your heart. It is a vision of what and how things are in the future. Believing in once was a dream and aspiration to being able to touch and live it into reality."
Manny also combined elements of religion and history through "Hiraya". "Faith can navigate us through life. No matter what religion we believe in. If we pray for something, devote and give our faith and work for it, in God's perfect time everything is possible. Despite all the hardships, chaos, roadblocks and redirection that we go through, believe that there is hope and Divine guidance from a Higher Being," she added.
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Behind Manny Halasan And Chelsea Manalo's Hiraya National Costume
Miss Universe 2024 takes place in Mexico, so Manny Halasan incorporated the connection between Mexico and the Philippines through the Hiraya costume. In an Instagram post, the Miss Universe Philippines organization wrote, "This national costume symbolizes the deep historical connection between the Philippines and Mexico, reflecting both countries' shared belief that faith guides us through life. The Galleon Trade between Spain and Mexico introduced Christianity to the Philippines, with religious icons like Our Lady of Antipolo being brought from Mexico."
At the same time, since the Philippines has a vast population with different beliefs, the costume also represents Islam. "This costume also represents the introduction of both Christianity and Islam in the Philippines, incorporating traditional fabrics like Inaul from Sultan Kudarat and Tongkaling ornaments from Mindanao, as well as Puni from Bulacan. Masterfully crafted and deeply researched, the costume celebrates the harmonious coexistence of different faiths in the Philippines."
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The Miss Universe 2024 Preliminary Competition
For the first time in Miss Universe history, the delegates began the preliminary competition in their national costumes. However, that was not the only change in format the Miss Universe 2024 competition will see. R'bonney and Sheynnis announced that on the pageant night, fans will meet 30 semi-finalists—25 of which will be determined by their preliminary performance, while four will be named as "continental queens." The continental queens will also earn something special towards the end of the pageant, according to R'Bonney. To round up the 30 semi-finalists, the last position will go to the winner of the fan vote on the Miss Universe app.
Seven winners of the "Voice for Change" contest were also named during the preliminary competition. Among the seven silver finalists is Miss Universe Bahrain, Shereen Ahmed. Her advocacy focused on single mothers and she actually celebrated her 30th birthday on stage. Shereen is among this year's half-Filipino delegates. Along with her are Miss Universe New Zealand Victoria Velasquez Vincent and Miss Universe Great Britain Christina Dela Cruz Chalk, who both previously competed at the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant with Chelsea.
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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray also made an appearance! She previously shared that she's returning as a backstage correspondent to the Miss Universe pageant, for the third time in a row. She's now also in Mexico and has voiced support for Chelsea Manalo.
The 73rd Miss Universe competition is happening on November 17 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico.
