Chelsea Fernandez gets her own special day in Sultan Kudarat every Dec. 20

January 30 ------ Miss Cosmo runner-up Chelsea Fernandez has been immortalized in Sultan Kudarat as the provincial government declared Dec. 20 of every year as “Chelsea Day.” The proclamation was made at the Provincial Capitol of Sultan Kudarat in the town of Isulan, the final stop of the beauty queen’s grand homecoming parade. Fernandez was also officially appointed as the Tourism Ambassador of Sultan Kudarat, promoting the province’s culture, heritage, and values to the entire world.

The provincial government recognized Fernandez’s outstanding achievement in the 2025 Miss Cosmo pageant in Vietnam, where she clinched the lone runner-up spot at the final competition held in Ho Chi Minh City last month. The United States’ Yolina Lindquist edged her out of the title.

“Honestly, I don’t know where to begin. I don’t know where to start. But one thing is for sure, my heart right now is overflowing with love, with happiness, extreme happiness, and deep gratitude,” Fernandez said in her speech. “The journey was not easy. But it became lighter and brighter because of all of you. And I wasn’t just standing on that stage alone. I was carrying the pride of our province, Sultan Kudarat, and the whole Philippines,” she continued.

The beauty queen expressed her gratitude to Empire Philippines, organizer of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, which she joined last year, and owner of the Miss Philippines brand, where the Miss Cosmo franchise falls under. Fernandez also thanked the local government officials throughout the province, especially Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Sangki Mangudadatu.

She also went on to thank the Miss Cosmo Organization “for welcoming me, for including me in your family, and of course, for giving me this life-changing opportunity.” Tran Viet Bao Hoang, the pageant’s CEO, followed Fernandez in Sultan Kudarat. The beauty queen also acknowledged her core team, family, friends, and everyone who supported her. “From the deepest part of my heart and soul, maraming, maraming salamat po (thank you very much),” Fernandez said.

Source: inquirer.net