Miss Universe Philippines 2024 was the fifth edition of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, on May 22, 2024. It was the first where competitors were chosen through local pageants organized by Miss Universe Philippines Accredited Partners.
Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan won the competition, succeeding Michelle Dee of Makati. Manalo represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico, where she reached the top 30 and became the first Miss Universe Asia. She is the first Black woman to be selected to represent the country in Miss Universe.
The contest was presented by Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, Alden Richards, Jeannie Mai, Gabbi Garcia and Tim Yap. Lola Amour, Marina Summers, and Win Metawin performed in the event.
Background
Selection of participants
On April 11, 2023, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization announced the launch of a new accredited partners program that would select delegates from the 2024 edition onwards. This allows accredited partners to organize local pageants that will send competitors to the national pageant. This replaced the previous system, where applicants underwent a screening process before being confirmed as a candidate for the title. The national director Shamcey Supsup-Lee, explained that this intended to "even the playing field" by having local organizers providing resources to participants in the pageant. It was compared to that used in Miss USA. Supsup-Lee added that it will "provide women in the provinces with an equal opportunity", noting that previously contestants based in Metro Manila had a financial advantage.
As the Miss Universe Organization removed the age limit from Miss Universe 2024 onwards, allowing competitors aged 29 and above to compete, while keeping the minimum age to 18. In light of the change, media outlets cited Jocelyn Cubales, who competed in Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon City at the age of 69, as the first senior citizen to compete in local pageants affiliated with the national pageant.
The edition marks the first time in which delegates representing Overseas Filipino Communities will be sent to the pageant. Media outlets including The Philippine Star and the Manila Standard have also noted the presence of "pageant veterans" in the edition, citing the participation of Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon, who competed in Miss International 2018; Christi McGarry of Taguig, who competed in Miss Intercontinental 2015; Kris Tiffany Janson of Cebu, who competed in Miss Intercontinental 2014; and Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga, who was crowned as Miss Tourism International 2019.
Withdrawals and replacements Out of the 55 initial contestants announced, four announced their withdrawal from the competition prior to the coronation night: Natasha Jung of Kananga on February 22, 2024; Joanne Marie Thornley of Angeles on March 19; Lorraine Ojimba of Quezon City on April 3; and Kiara Landon of the Filipino community of Washington, United States, on April 19.
Two of the four franchises with withdrawn delegates sent replacement candidates to the pageant: Kananga announced Phoebe Torita as its new delegate on February 28, while Quezon City announced Cam Lagmay as its new delegate on April 7. Angeles and Washington did not send new delegates, ultimately withdrawing from the competition.
Location and date
On April 2, 2024, the organization announced that the coronation night will be held on May 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay. The sale of tickets for the event began on April 8. The pageant and its related events are being held with the theme "Love For All". The initial fifty-five competitors were formally introduced at a press presentation on February 18, at the Hilton Manila. This was held concurrently with the appointment ceremonies for the Miss Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide pageants.
Additional titles On May 13, 2024, the organization announced that four more national titles would be contested in the pageant. In a separate ceremony following the coronation night, delegates were appointed to represent the country in Miss Supranational, Miss Charm, Miss Eco International, and Miss Cosmo.
Results Placements
Placement Contestant Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Bulacan – Chelsea Manalo 1st Runner-Up Cainta – Stacey Gabriel 2nd Runner-Up Quezon – Ahtisa Manalo 3rd Runner-Up Baguio – Tarah Valencia4th Runner-Up Taguig – Christi McGarryTop 10 Bacoor – Victoria Velasquez Vincent Cebu – Kris Tiffany Janson Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Pampanga – Cyrille Payumo Zambales – Anita Gomez Top 20 Australia – Kymberlee Street Hawaii – Bianca Tapia ‡ Laguna – Alexandra Rosales Leyte – Angel Tambal ‡ Northern California – Kayla Carter Nueva Ecija – Maica Martinez ‡ Palawan – Raven Doctor Pasig – Selena Antonio-Reyes Tacloban – Tamara Ocier ‡ United Kingdom – Christina Chalk
‡ – Challenge winners
Appointments
Shortly after the coronation night, the top 10 delegates shortlisted from the top 20 semifinalists were given the choice to represent the country in four international beauty pageants. As first runner-up, Stacey Gabriel of Cainta had the first choice, but declined any of the titles. Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon then had the first choice as second runner-up and chose to be crowned Miss Cosmo Philippines.
On July 6, 2024, Kayla Jean Carter of Northern California was appointed to represent the country at the Miss Charm 2024 pageant, after Krishnah Gravidez, the original titleholder, resigned to compete in Miss World Philippines 2024.
Title Contestant International Placement Ref. The Miss Philippines Supranational 2025 Baguio – Tarah Valencia 3rd Runner-Up – Miss Supranational 2025 The Miss Philippines Charm 2025 Pampanga – Cyrille Payumo Top 20 – Miss Charm 2025 The Miss Philippines Eco International 2025 Iloilo City – Alexie Mae Brooks Winner – Miss Eco International 2025 The Miss Philippines Cosmo 2024 Quezon – Ahtisa Manalo Top 10 – Miss Cosmo 2024 The Miss Philippines Charm 2024 Northern California – Kayla Jean Carter Top 20 – Miss Charm 2024 The Miss Philippines Eco Teen 2024 Palawan – Raven Doctor 3rd Runner-Up – Miss Eco Teen International 2024
Special awards
Major awards Award Contestant Best National Costume Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Southern California – Janet Hammond Tacloban – Tamara Ocier
Sponsor awards Award Contestant Face of Avon Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Miss Buscopan Miss JellLife Hello Glow Body Bacoor – Victoria Velasquez Vincent Miss Kemans Icon Doll Cebu – Kris Tiffany Janson Miss Aqua Boracay Quezon – Ahtisa Manalo Miss Danielito's Miss Fairy Skin Miss Hello Glow Miss iColorPlus Miss Smilee Queen of Hearts Miss Cream Silk Cavite – Dia Mate Miss Jewelmer Taguig – Christi McGarry Miss So-En Miss Wuling Miss Jojo Bragais Bulacan – Chelsea Manalo Miss Mags Baguio – Tarah Valencia Miss Villa Medica Miss Zonrox Bacoor – Victoria Velasquez Vincent Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Quezon – Ahtisa Manalo
Pre-pageant events National Costume Competition With the theme Flora and Fauna, the National Costume Competition was held on April 28, 2024, at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol Gym in Sultan Kudarat. R'Bonney Gabriel and Marco Gumabao hosted the event. The results of the competition were announced on April 29. Alexie Brooks of Iloilo City, Janet Hammond of Southern California, and Tamara Ocier of Tacloban, were named winners, each receiving a ₱100,000 cash prize.
The contest was held following the runway challenge held on April 26 and the Inaul Fashion Show, held on April 27, which showcased the creations of 15 local designers based on the indigenous inaul cloth.
Challenges In the run-up to the competition, the fifty-three contestants competed in preliminary contests for a guaranteed spot in the semifinals. The results for each challenge were determined through online polls. The swimsuit competition, the first of the preliminary contests for the pageant, was held on April 20, in Boracay at the Aqua Boracay resort. Also determined during the contest were eight "Acqua Boracay Angels" and twelve brand ambassadors for Arete Tagaytay. The five finalists for the contest were announced on May 4. The individual reels of the contestants were released on April 27, which saw the public vote for the winner on Facebook. The third competition, the "Up Close & Personal" personality interviews, followed on May 7, with executive vice president Voltaire Tayag serving as the sole panelist. On May 8, voting opened for the runway challenge, the third contest. ChallengesResultsChallenge winnerBingo Plus fan vote Nueva Ecija – Maica Martinez Swimsuit challenge Hawaii – Patricia Bianca Tapia Cavite – Dia Mate Hawaii – Patricia Bianca Tapia Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Quezon – Ahtisa Manalo Southern California – Janet HammondCasting reel challenge Tacloban – Tamara Ocier Interview challenge Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Hawaii – Patricia Bianca Tapia Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Quezon – Ahtisa Manalo Quirino – Stephanie Faye Gerona Taguig – Christi McGarryRunway challenge Leyte – Angel Rose Tambal Florida – Matea Mahal Smith Iloilo City – Alexie Brooks Leyte – Angel Rose Tambal Quezon – Ahtisa Manalo Quirino – Stephanie Faye Gerona
Pageant
Format
The results of the preliminary competition, held on May 19, 2024, at the Manila Hotel, which evaluated the 53 delegates in the swimsuit and evening gown categories and the closed-door interviews, determined the first 15 semifinalists for the edition. The voting public determined the winners of the pre-pageant challenges which each advanced a delegate to the semifinals, creating a total of 20 semifinalists, an increase of two from the previous edition. The semifinalists competed in the swimsuit competition, where they were then narrowed down to ten. Afterward, top 10 competed in the evening gown competition, where five delegates were chosen to advance to the finals. The top five finalists then participated in the question and answer portion where Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and her runners-up were determined.
Selection committee The panel of judges for the pageant consisted of: Ariella Arida – Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Archie Carrasco – chairman and CEO of AGC Power Holdings Corp. Camille Co – chief operating officer of Aqua Boracay Jason Co – chief financial officer of Miss Universe Skincare Beatrice Gomez – Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Crystal Jacinto – chief executive officer of Conti's Joy Marcelo – vice president of Sparkle GMA Artist Center Stanley Ng – president and chief operating officer of Philippine Airlines Eusebio Tanco – chairman of DiGi Plus Interactive Corp. Vina Yapjuangco – chief executive officer of Kemans
In addition to the ten judges, the public voted in real-time as the eleventh judge in each stage of the coronation night.
Broadcast The pageant was broadcast online through the YouTube channel of EmpirePH. Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, Alden Richards, Jeannie Mai, Gabbi Garcia, and Tim Yap presented the program. Meanwhile Lola Amour, Marina Summers, and Win Metawin performed in select segments of the event.
Issues The delayed telecast of the preliminary interviews and the preliminary gala night, originally set to be aired on May 20, at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00pm (PhST), respectively, on the EmpirePH YouTube channel, was subject to delays and glitches and was eventually made private. Attracting backlash from netizens, the organizers released a public apology and re-uploaded the video of the telecast. The coronation night, which ran for nearly six hours, was criticized on social media for its length. The organization explained that the length was a result of allotting "enough time" for the "tabulations, production set-ups, and costume changes" during the event. As a result, a shortened version of the pageant was uploaded on the organization's YouTube channel.
Contestants