Chelsea Manalo and her fellow “silent killers” perform

When Chelsea Manalo‘s name was announced as the winner of the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant. She made history as the first woman of African descent to win the prestigious national pageant. But his victory surprised many.

The dusky beauty from Bulacan was what pageant observers would call a “silent killer” or a “dark horse”, due to her calm but deadly approach, as opposed to the fanfare attached to the performance of favorites and veterans.

That’s not to say Manalo didn’t have a chance to win the crown before the national match. She was ranked 10th and 4th among the latest Missosology and Sash Factor competition analysts’ picks, respectively. Many fans, however, were banking on favorites Ahtisa Manalo, Stacey Gabriel, Christi McGarry, Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Kris Tiffany Janson and Alexie Brooks to win the title.

With her composure, Manalo brought the “twist” to become the unexpected winner of the competition.

His victory is a reminder that the results of the competition will not always lean in favor of the big favorites or favorites. After all, no one can predict the fate of a queen, because there are always “silent killers” or “dark horses” who could turn the tide and bring home the crown.

Read about Manalo’s story below, as well as other so-called “dark horses” of local and international pageantry.

Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024

Among the factors that played in ManaloThe unexpected victory in 2024 was one of the most competitive editions of the competition to date. After all, many of the contestants were comprised of veterans who had competed in international competitions and were heavy favorites.

The 24-year-old Filipina received rave reviews for her performance in the preliminary competition. She also received the Miss Jojo Bragais award from the pageant’s official shoe supplier.

At the coronation night, she wowed the audience and viewers with her sultry look and smooth performance. Who could forget those short breaks during the swimsuit competition that practically made the audience watch intently? If Catriona Gray does her lava walk and Michelle Dee does her viper walk, Manalo’s stance is also something to watch out for during the Miss Universe pageant later this year.

See more

At the end of the pageant, it was revealed that the Bulacan native was waiting for the right moment to show all her cards. She entered the competition as an “independent woman” with a wonderful support network behind her, including fashion designer Manny Halasan.

R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022

Another silent killer came in the form of Filipina-American R’Bonney Gabriel who clinched the Miss Universe 2022 crown after declaring she wanted to be a “transformational leader” during the final question and answer portion.

Like Manalo, Gabriel has always been included among the favorites of contest analysts. But many critics and fans were counting on Venezuelan Amanda Dudamel, Filipina Celeste Cortesi, Puerto Rican Ashley Cariño and Dominican Andreína Martinez to take home the crown.

See more

Yet the national fashion designer’s breakthrough rests on her spirit – and her stunning Rian Fernandez evening gown – inscribing her life motto “If not now, then when?” on her swimsuit cape.

Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss Universe Philippines 2021

Before making history as the first bisexual to win the Miss Universe Philippines crown, Gomez has her eyes on the prize and she has not gone unnoticed by analysts. However, Katrina Dimaranan of Taguig, Steffi Aberasturi of Cebu Province and Maureen Wroblewitz of Pangasinan were the big favorites then.

See more

Armed with her signature straight locks and smile, Gomez took to the coronation stage with a magnetic presence that was impossible to ignore. She won Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown – which turned out to be the stars aligned for her eventual victory.

Gomez carried her quiet confidence onto the Miss Universe 2021 stage where she wowed the audience with her performance, finishing in the Top 5 of the competition.

Rabiya Mateo, Miss Universe Philippines 2020

The case of Rabiya Mateo in her Miss Universe Philippines 2020 journey was different. She was Missosology’s favorite to win the crown, but fans were campaigning for pageant veterans Michele Gumabao, Alaiza Malinao and Pauline Amelinckx to get the title.

See more

Aside from her Q&A skills, Mateo flaunted her charm in her white two-piece during the swimsuit competition and her red Jung Candelario dress during the dress party. It was then obvious that she had the crown in the bag.

Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016

Frenchwoman Iris Mittenaere has never been off the radar of pageant analysts, but she waited for the right moment to put her queenly qualities on the table before winning the Miss Universe 2016 crown.

See more

Ahead of the coronation night, Missosology tagged Brazil’s Raissa Santana, Thailand’s Chalita Suansane, Nicaragua’s Marina Jacoby, Australia’s Caris Tiivel and Philippines’ Maxine Medina to win the coveted title.

We would love to know more about you! Help us improve your reading experience by responding this survey.