Metro Manila, November 19, 2023 – Filipino beauty queens have come forward to applaud Michelle Dee for her impressive performance in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant held in El Salvador. Dee, representing the Philippines, finished in the Top 10, marking a triumphant return for the nation to the pageant’s finals.
2011 Miss Universe third runner-up, Shamcey Supsup, now the National Director of Miss Universe Philippines, took to Instagram to celebrate Dee’s achievement. Supsup highlighted Dee’s dedication to her advocacy on autism awareness, particularly noting her recognition as a gold winner in the “Voice for Change” category. This award celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to social change.
Dee’s cousin, 2017 Reina Hispanoamericana Winwyn Marquez, also praised her for her poise, grace, and confidence. In her Instagram post, Marquez remarked on Dee’s thorough preparation and hard work, which were evident throughout the competition.
In addition to these accolades, 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and 2023 Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx honored Dee on their Instagram stories. Amelinckx described Dee as “timeless,” reflecting the universal admiration for her performance.
During the competition, Dee showcased her unique “Snake Walk” and paraded a tattoo-inspired evening gown, paying tribute to the oldest indigenous Filipino tattoo artist, Whang-Od. Her efforts in the preliminary stage were also notable, captivating the audience with her emerald green bejeweled evening gown, a nod to her family’s lucky color. Her national costume, themed around an airplane, was a tribute to her military reservist training and the “Love the Philippines” tourism campaign.
Dee was also among the three gold winners of the “Voice for Change” campaign, joining representatives from Angola and Puerto Rico. This campaign recognized their dedication to various social advocacies, with Dee focusing on autism awareness and inclusivity.
The Miss Universe 2023 pageant saw Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios crowned as the winner, making history as the first representative from her country to win the crown. Thailand’s Anntonia Porsild and Australia’s Moraya Wilson were the first and second runners-up, respectively.
Dee’s journey in the Miss Universe pageant, marked by her Top 10 finish and advocacy work, has been a source of national pride and inspiration, particularly after the Philippines’ absence from the finals in 2022.