Chelsea Manalo, the Philippines’ representative in the upcoming Miss Universe 2024, wowed fans with her latest beach photos, where she went makeup-free and sported a natural look. Wearing a chic nude one-piece swimsuit, Chelsea’s effortless beauty shone as she posed confidently for the camera.
During the shoot, creative director Seven Barretto teased Chelsea, saying, “Huwag ka nga mag-makeup kung matapang ka!” to which Chelsea playfully replied, “Ay, laban!” The phrase has since become a rallying cry among her fans.
Chelsea, who advocates for the children of OFWs in the Miss Universe “Voice for Change” competition, recently celebrated reaching 300,000 followers on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support.
The 22-year-old Filipino-American is vying for the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe title, with the coronation night set for November 16 (November 17 in the Philippines). Leading up to the finals, fans can catch Chelsea in the Preliminary and National Costume competitions on November 14.
Good luck, Chelsea—laban, indeed!