Michelle Dee leaves no stone unturned for Miss Universe 2023 bid
MANILA, Philippines — The smart, svelte, and stunner Michelle Marquez Dee is on a mission to regain the country’s semi-finalist placement at Miss Universe and win its fifth crown.
Her official journey to the pageant’s 72nd edition commences tomorrow, Oct. 31, as she leaves for El Salvador, where 90 delegates are expected to converge and compete.
By the look of things, Michelle ticks all the boxes of a reliable, strong Philippine representative for the annual tilt of pulchritude, personality, and advocacy. She is leaving no stone unturned in this pageant endeavor.
“What’s running in my head right now is again to make sure that I’m 200 percent prepared when I arrive in El Salvador,” said the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 and the Sparkle GMA Artist Center homegrown talent about her thoughts prior to the competition during the recent send-off press conference, presented by the GMA Network, Inc. and her talent management team, with Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH). “But you know there are a few things that still have to be done; there’s usually a check list in my head… in a sense, I just want everything in its place ready when I fly.”
By this time, Michelle and the people behind her have accomplished those last-minute adjustments and preparations.
“Of course, it’s no joke to represent a pageant powerhouse country such as the Philippines. With the recent events, of course, I just wanna make sure that we all come out with so much pride for our country because I am flying alone, but I’m representing the country that we love.”
Representing the country and wearing the Philippines sash are not new to Michelle, who followed in the footsteps of her mom, 1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez, by securing the Miss World Philippines 2019 title. At the Miss World 2019 finals held in London, she placed in the Top 12.
Her story can be compared to that of Catriona Gray, who won the Miss World Philippines 2016 title and made it to the Top 5 at Miss World. In 2018, Catriona secured the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title and eventually the Miss Universe crown.
“Well, my first pageant really taught me a lot of things,” recalled she. “So, through those experiences and everything that I’ve learned from my first pageant, I can take that to the Miss Universe competition.”
Michelle has a better grasp of “how to balance my effort, balance my energy, and hopefully, it shines through after the whole competition,” shared she.
“I’m bigger, I’m stronger, I’m wiser, much older. It’s four years apart, I’ve grown so much through the lessons that truly made me a better person. So, I just hope to make everyone proud.”
Yes, she is mentally and physically prepared for all the pre-pageant activities, which include the ever-important preliminary round, and the coronation night on Nov. 18.
“If anything, the only thing that I have to do is make sure that everything that I fitted gets into my luggage properly, dapat walang maiiwan dito sa Pilipinas kasi medyo malayo ang El Salvador,” said she, who has eight suitcases on standby.
As for every Filipino pageant fan’s hopes and expectations that she will make the first cut and breeze through the final five, which are outright challenges on the part of any candidate, Michelle had this to say, “I always say that pressure is inevitable, but I am blessed with such strong parents that taught me how to be graceful under pressure… So, it’s just a matter of how you handle it.”
“Of course, when you are in a beauty pageant, there are so many factors that you have to consider, from the judging to the off-stage performance to your performance on stage as well,” added she, who thinks that “everything happens for a reason” and destiny plays a part in one’s life. Michelle hoped that the 2023 Miss Universe crown is meant for her and the Philippines this time.
As a Philippine delegate, she is in charge of every aspect of her competition journey, “from the smallest little detail to the biggest requirement,” as she put it. “I’m very grateful that the Miss Universe Philippines Organization would give me the creative freedom to really execute what I had envisioned for my journey.”
Michelle described herself as “a creative at heart since I was a child.” So, her artistry and voice are etched or showcased in everything from the videos to the collection of clothes.
“I am very grateful, and I am blessed to be working with some of the best minds and creatives in the Philippines,” she said and piqued everyone’s interest by sharing that she will don “one-of-a-kind gowns for both prelims and finals.” These, plus her national costume, will symbolize “our culture, our heritage and us, Filipinos as a whole.”
In the group interview, Michelle was also asked about her two cents’ worth on the Miss Universe contest becoming advocacy-oriented.
According to her, it was what “prompted and inspired” the actress-beauty queen to join Miss MUPH again and earn the right to represent the country at Miss U.
“When I acknowledged and I saw that Miss Universe is making this transition to empower everybody and to promote inclusivity, to give emphasis on how we can utilize the Miss Universe platform into your own separate advocacies as well, it was really a full-circle moment for me,” said she.
“As you all know, I joined my first pageant because of that aspect of advocacy. And I’ve always brought with me, my mind, my heart and my soul, my two siblings on the autism spectrum, who, in turn, have created a life-long advocacy in me, and so the fact that I can once again bring them proudly onto the global stage and advocate for them, champion for those that don’t have a voice, that really is, you know, the thing that inspires me the most,” added the actress-model.
And then, Michelle wrapped up her stance with these words, “When you have a core, when you have a true purpose beyond the physique, beyond beauty, then it really gives your journey a lot more meaning.”
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