Chelsea knew who she was from a very early age. Perceiving queens that captivated every inch of her television screen awakened a force inside her — a burning desire to possess the crown and emulate them. "[Becoming a beauty queen] has been my dream since I was a little girl. I saw Venus Raj, and she was so beautiful. Her skin was somehow like mine. I learned to love my skin the same way and became more confident in joining pageantry. " Chelsea further notes, "Later on, Miss Pia Wurtzbach, with her life story. No matter how many trials she faced, she still overcame the challenges. She became the most iconic beauty queen in the Philippines. In pageantry, so many things can be said about you, but she turned a blind eye and went straight to achieving her dreams, and I want to be that kind of person one day."

The quest for the crown has never been a walk in the park. Chelsea stood out in voluminous curls and a darker than the “standard” Filipina complexion — in a country where Eurocentric features have prevailed as the hallmark of beauty. While coming home with tear-stricken cheeks as a young girl has been constant, she stood unyielding in her innate worth and values. "I didn't want to listen to all the mean words because I knew [it] didn't define me. I overcame [bullying] by remaining kind, kasi yun yung tinuro din nung parents ko — na pag may ginawa or may sinabi sila sayo, still be kind to these people." Chelsea recalls,"They made me realize at an early age that — they’re only bullying you kasi nagseselos lang sila sayo. Ikaw lang yung iba and that is what makes you beautiful and unique."

Decentralizing self-worth on physical appearance has been the toughest act of love. Finding joy and fulfillment in God-given abilities has allowed Chelsea to navigate the world with intention. "Instead of looking at myself in the mirror and telling myself I'm not beautiful just because that's how other people have perceived me, I had to focus on my skills. I focused on what I loved to do rather than what I felt I should look like. I like writing, drawing, painting, and joining sports." She further expresses, "It's so easy for us to look at the mirror and see what we don't like, and mentally, it's draining, especially if ang plus factor pa doon is when you hear other people saying so many bad things about you."

Kindness and compassion are the best accessories — the crown comes in second. Chelsea's purpose is fueled by advocating for Indigenous youth education. "I came from my hometown in Bulacan. I didn't know there were Indigenous people, and those are the Dumagat people. When I came to visit them, I did not expect to see a lot of children and families there — and they were happy." Chelsea elaborates, “Not all children there had the fortune or privilege to go to school. The children [there] are very smart. They [also] want to become swimmers, and athletes."

Chelsea reminisces about one girl in particular, "There’s this pretty girl I saw, I asked, 'You want to be a beauty queen?' and she said no. What she wanted to do was to be a writer." She magnifies the importance of recognizing dreams within the youth as a catalyst for valuing their voices and abilities, "So imagine the aspirations and dreams they have? It’s simple, but reachable if they had the means to be focused on school. They can be so much more. It came close to my heart to advocate for them because working closely with the children is what I want [to focus on], and that is through education."

Acknowledging dreams is an act that heals. Chelsea takes value in the passions and capabilities within the youth — just like her beloved parents had when she was younger.

Armed with a show-stopping smile and a golden heart, Chelsea was born to claim the golden ticket.