Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee has accomplished an impressive feat by winning both the Miss World Philippines and Miss Universe Philippines crowns, making her the second Filipina beauty queen to do so.
Displaying her wits and poise, she was able to win the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 title after beating out 37 other candidates.
During the beauty pageant, Miss Universe 2023 Philippines spoke about a pressing issue of our time: the gap between the rich and poor in the country.
Michelle emphasized how quality education is the only way to close the gap and pointed out that recognizing access to basic needs such as food, homes, and education is essential.
Michelle Dee, reigning Miss Universe Philippines, has emerged as a symbol of wisdom and compassion. Her poignant statement underscores that privilege begets moral obligation, and our resources must be used wisely. With her extraordinary qualities, she proves that she is no ordinary beauty queen.
Michelle Dee, Miss Universe 2023, believes that education is the key to bridging the gap between Filipinos who are living in poverty and those who are not.
She emphasized that education has no fixed standard, and every Filipino child has the right to receive it.
According to her, quality education can uplift the quality of life of every Filipino child and empower them to reach their full potential.
Despite her question during the final round is about the new tourism slogan for the country, Michelle Dee still managed to showcase her knowledge about the country’s assets.
Her suggested slogan, “We give the world our best,” highlights the Filipinos’ drive to give their best in everything they do, making them the most significant asset that the country can offer to the rest of the world.
Indeed, Michelle Dee’s advocacy for education and her pride in her nation’s people serve as inspiration for everyone to strive for excellence in their respective fields.
Dee is a true ambassador of the Philippines, and her statement that the best natural resources the country has are its people is a testament to her deep love for her country and its citizens.
As she eloquently puts it, the warmth and friendliness of Filipinos are unmatched, and these qualities make the Philippines a haven for tourists from around the world.
Her pride in being a Pinoy and calling the Philippines her home echoes the sentiments of many Filipinos who share the same love and appreciation for their motherland.
Joining her in this celebration are runner-ups Miss Zambales Christine Juliane Opiaza and Miss Pampanga Mary Angelique Manto, who, like Michelle Dee, have made their mark in the pageantry scene and showcased the beauty and excellence of the Philippines.
The Philippines has had four Miss Universe winners in its history, including Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, and Catriona Gray in 2018.
Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee is an experienced pageant competitor, having competed multiple times.
Previously, she earned the Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022 title and was also awarded the Best in Evening Gown.
This lady slays the pageant scene, Crowned Miss World Philippines 2019 AND placed in London’s Top 12 for Miss World 2019. Bow down!
Additionally, Dee is an award-winning actress, having won Best Supporting Actress at the 36th PMPC Star Awards for Movies in 2021.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 has appeared in two films and six television shows. It’s worth noting that Dee’s mother is Melanie Marquez, who was named Miss International in 1979.
Early life & education
Michelle Daniela Marquez Dee, a beautiful woman, was born on April 24, 1995, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
She is the daughter of businessman Frederick Derek Dee and Melanie Marquez, a former supermodel, actress, author, and Miss International 1979.
During her childhood, she lived in both the Philippines and the countryside of Utah. Michelle is of Filipino nationality and has a mixed ethnicity that is unknown.
She earned her degree in psychology from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, while also pursuing a career as an internationally signed model.
Photography is one of her passions. Since the age of sixteen, she has been a passionate advocate for autism awareness – a cause especially close to her heart, as both of her siblings were diagnosed with the condition.
In September 2019, she won the Miss World Philippines title at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
It qualified her to compete at the 2019 Miss World pageant at the ExCel Stadium in London, UK, in December of the same year.
Although she did not win the title, she achieved Top 40 in the Top Model competition and Top 20 in Beauty with a Purpose.
Afterward, Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee started her journey in the Filipino entertainment industry, beginning with her role as Gianna in the 2019 Filipino movie “Because I Love You.”
She played Michaela “Mochi” Isidro in “Love You Two” in 2019.
Furthermore, she has secured critical roles in multiple TV series such as “One of the Baes,” “Agimat ng Agila,” and “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon,” showcasing her impressive acting skills.
Who is the mother of Michelle Dee Miss Universe 2023?
Michelle Marquez Dee’s mother, Melanie Marquez, is a well-respected figure in the beauty industry.
Marquez, who was born on July 16, 1964, is a multi-talented Filipino personality, including a development coach, actress, film producer, author, celebrity endorser, former supermodel, and beauty pageant titleholder.
In 1979, she won the Miss International title at the age of 15, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the competition.
She continued to excel in the world of modeling, winning the Face of the 80s competition in New York in 1985 and coming in as the first runner-up in the Supermodel competition the following year.
In 2005, she reached the finals of the Mrs. World pageant held in India, making it one of her many accomplishments.
In addition to being a model, she has made her mark in other areas. She is a respected modeling coach who has trained well-known models, such as Ruffa Guttierez, the second runner-up of Miss World 1993.
She is also a talented actress with numerous acting roles to her credit, including starring in her own biopic.
Who is the father of Michelle Dee Miss Universe 2023?
Derek Dee, a well-known character actor and producer, starred in movies such as Rumble Boy, Maglulupa man ako, and Die Xue rou quing.
However, he chose to pursue a career in business instead of continuing in the entertainment industry.
Between 1995 and 1998, Derek Dee was in a relationship with Melanie Marquez.