Miss Universe 2024: Philippines' Chelsea Manalo wins Best in National Costume


The Miss Universe Organization has officially announced Chelsea Manalo of the Philippines as the Best in National Costume winner at Miss Universe 2024.

Completing the Top 3 finalists for the special award were Emilia Dides from Chile (second place) and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen from Vietnam (third place).

Chelsea's national costume "Hiraya" meaning "the fruit of one's hopes, dreams, and aspirations" was voted the ultimate winner among 125 costumes showcased on this year's Miss Universe stage.

Created by Filipino fashion designer Manny Halasan, the winning costume was a homage to the Philippines' diverse history and culture.

It depicted the complex yet rich relationship between the Philippines and Mexico. The stunning creation was also an artistic interpretation of the introduction of both Christianity and Islam to the Philippines.

Aside from winning the Best in National Costume, Chelsea also placed in the Top 30 during the recently concluded 73rd Miss Universe pageant won by Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig in Mexico City.

It was a back-to-back victory for the Philippines as last year's representative Michelle Dee, who made the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador, also bagged the special award.

Photos: Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines / Instagram

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