Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo attends migrant worker event
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Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo advocated for migrant workers' families during her Miss Universe journey.
The first-ever Miss Universe Asia, Chelsea Manalo, is definitely staying true to her advocacy as she attends an event organized for the country's migrant workers.
In one of the more recent posts on the official account of Miss Universe Philippines, the organization posted multiple photos of Chelsea at the Department of Migrant Workers's "Pamaskong Handog Para sa OFW Family" celebration held at the grounds and the Heroes' Hall of Malacanang.
Related gallery: Here's why Chelsea Manalo deserves the Miss Universe crown
The concerns of migrant workers' families was Chelsea's chosen advocacy during her time competing in the Miss Universe pageant and was the subject of her Voice for Change video. The organization even campaigned for votes for Chelsea's advocacy video.
Aside from attending this event for migrant workers, Chelsea is also set to receive a homecoming parade at the SM Mall of Asia this Friday, December 20.
The homecoming parade for Chelsea was announced on the official Instagram page for the Miss Universe Philippines. In the post, the organization said that the parade will start on 4 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia and called on pageant fans and followers to come in their “best Miss Universe looks”.
Just last week, Chelsea visited the Kapuso Network's early morning show, Unang Hirit. Chelsea cooked her special adobo for the show and also talked about her Miss Universe experience and her pride at being the first-ever Miss Universe Asia.
Chelsea returned to the country last week to a warm welcome from Filipinos and pageant fans, who met her at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Since her performance in the pageant, Kapuso beauty queen Michelle Dee and It's Showtime host Vice Ganda have both expressed their pride and gratitude.
Residents of Meycauayan City also expressed their support for Chelsea, who they still consider a winner.
“Napakaganda nung performance ni Chelsea kanina and 101 percent binigay niya 'yung best niya,” shared Clemen Pariñas, a member of Meycauayan's LGBTQIA+ community. “I think pagbalik niya naman dito, may naghihintay pa rin sa kanyang mga opportunities. Alam kong maraming magbubukas na pinto para sa kanya.”
Meanwhile, Lani Villarico, Chelsea's principal when she was in school, could not stop herself from expressing some sadness at the results.
“Hindi ko inaasahan. Nalulungkot kami kasi alam naming kung paano mag-perform si Chelsea. Kahit saan natin tingnan 'yung kanyang mga performance, talagang the best siya. Naiiba siya sa karamihan,” she shared. “Disappointed talaga kami, lalo na ako. Kilala ko 'yung bata na 'yan.”
Nevertheless, she still had nothing but praise for Chelsea's performance.
“Ikaw pa din, the best ka. Alam mo 'yung talagang totoo. Higit sa lahat, ang iyong kakayanan ay ipinakita mo sa madla, sa buong Pilipinas, na ikaw ang pinaka magaling, pinaka mahusay sa lahat,” she said.
Related gallery: Year-in-review: Philippine performance in 2024 international pageants
