Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo visited the Antipolo Cathedral to pay homage to the Nuestra Senora Dela Paz Y Buenviaje or the brown skinned image of the Virgin Mary which is enshrined in the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
Shrine rector and administrator, Fr. Reynante Tolentino welcomed Manalo and her team who got the chance to pray in front of the 17th century old image of the brown-skinned statue of the Virgin Mary on Saturday, June 22.
According to the Facebook post of the Antipolo Cathedral, Manalo, the first Philippine woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss Universe Philippines, offered flowers at the foot of the Virgin of Antipolo before praying in silence during her visit.
In a video clip shared by Fr. Nante to this reporter, Manalo was seen crying while inside the room where the antique Marian image was.
Fr. Nante gave Manalo a white veil and a portrait of the Our Lady of Antipolo before the beauty queen from Bulacan and her group left the shrine.
The shrine administrator told Manila Bulletin that Manalo was introduced to Fr. Nante by fashion designer and jeweler and mentor of Manalo, Manny Halasan, who happens to be a friend of the priest.
The priest also revealed to Manila Bulletin that Halasan was the one who donated the bejeweled crown which was put on the head of the antique image of the of the Our Lady of Antipolo during the ceremony of the solemn declaration of the Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine on January 26, this year.
In another video clip shared by Fr. Nante to Manila Bulletin, Manalo could be seen sharing some thoughts on how she got to learn the Virgin of Antipolo.
Fr. Nante prayed over Manalo and her team before the priest sprinkled holy water on them prior to leaving the cathedral.
The newly crowned Bulacan lass cheerfully waived to a crowd who were waiting for her outside the international shrine before she and her group left.
Manalo's visit to the Antipolo shrine happened as the city observes the "Ahunan Sa Antipolo", the pilgrimage season where devotees from all over the country pay homage to the Virgin of Antipolo.