Michelle Dee. Image: Rap Yu via Instagram/@sparklegmaartistcenter
MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino people’s “bayanihan” spirit was in full throttle with the Philippines’ Michelle Marquez Dee topping the Miss Universe pageant’s “Voice for Change” online voting, ahead by more than 100,000 votes from her closest competitor.
“PILIPINAS, SALAMAT PO. Thanks to you, Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee is at the top of the Voice for Change voting! [Philippine flag emoji],” the national pageant organization said in a social media post.
“Voting for Voice for Change is closed,” the organization also mentioned in the image that came with the social media post, as it campaigned for Dee anew for the fan vote on the Miss Universe mobile app.
Dee, who highlighted her advocacy on autism awareness, as well as her multifaceted life as a beauty queen and Philippine Air Force reservist, amassed 264,051 votes for her Voice for Change video. Her fellow Miss World veteran Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua was a far second with 161,069 votes, a difference of 102,982.
Ukraine was the highest ranked European country, with its representative Angelina Usanova amassing 152,893 votes to finish in third place. Former Miss Supranational Anntonia Porsild from Thailand came in fourth with 60,490, while Mariana Downing from the Dominican Republic was in the fifth spot with 48,851.
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For several days, the Miss Universe pageant invited the public to vote for a favorite Voice for Change platform video among the 85 delegates. The winner will reportedly receive $12,000 (P672,948) from the pageant’s crown provider Mouawad and CI Talks, the sponsors and initiators of the program.
“Now, we make sure she is no. 1 in the Miss Universe Fan Vote!” the national pageant organization appealed to the public once again. The leading delegate in the mobile app poll will earn a guaranteed spot in the semifinals.
“Bayanihan to be no. 1!” called the Miss Universe Philippines organization, while enumerating the steps on how to vote for Dee—download the Miss Universe app, go to the “Vote” tab, and vote “PHILIPPINES.”
“Only a few more days until The Most Beautiful Day in the Universe! Let’s do this, Pilipinas!” the national organization appealed.
Dee is competing for the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe victory. Reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel will relinquish her crown at the end of the coronation show in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 in Manila).