Miss Universe 2023 Top 10 finalist Michelle Dee/MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Michelle Marquez Dee may not have brought home the Miss Universe title from El Salvador, but for many, her Top 10 finish is enough to throw her a grand welcome back home from the competition.
Since coming back after a side trip to Mexico to promote the 73rd Miss Universe pageant that will be held in the Central American nation next year, Dee has been busy granting interviews, making appearances in different TV programs, and attending social gatherings. And the warm welcome still has not ended.
Even more people can get a glimpse of the model-host-actress in the flesh in a homecoming parade scheduled at the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City on Dec. 10, starting at 4 p.m. The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization made this announcement on social media.
This is also the first time that a Miss Universe Top 10 finalist from the Philippines will receive her own homecoming parade organized by her national pageant organization. There have been motorcades for top winners and even runners-up in the past.
The last time a national pageant organization mounted a homecoming motorcade for a Filipino Miss Universe delegate was when the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) organized two parades for 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray in February 2019. The first was a four-hour motorcade that started in Pasay City, traversed through Manila, and culminated in Makati City. The second one was held at the Araneta City in Quezon City the day after.
Having a parade of her own seemed appropriate for Dee, who arrived at the airport to a massive assembly of screaming fans, even greater than the gathering she was able to attract before she left for the competition.
Dee did not just simply accomplish a Top 10 finish in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant. Her achievement also brought the Philippines back in contention after her predecessor Celeste Cortesi broke the country’s 12-year placement streak in the global tilt.
This was also the same feat she accomplished for the Philippines in the Miss World pageant. Her Top 12 finish in the 2019 global tilt came after her predecessor Katarina Rodriguez broke the country’s seven-year placement streak in the London-based competition.
Dee has been touted as the most-awarded Miss Universe delegate in years. Aside from advancing to the gown round of the contest, Dee also reportedly topped the popular fan voting, and ranked first in the online poll for national costume. She was also one of the three delegates who received $12,000 from Miss Universe crown provider Mouawad as “gold finalist” in the “Voice for Change” campaign. She also won a cruise line trip for two as the “Spirit of Carnival” winner.
Meanwhile, MUPH has renewed its call for those who wish to succeed Dee. “If you aspire to be a force for good and you have the dream, dedication, and heart to represent the country, contact our Accredited Partner (AP) in your area to find out how you can be a part of Miss Universe Philippines 2023. [Philippine flag emoji],” the national organization posted on social media.
“For a list of Accredited Partners, please contact tel. nos. +639257881616, +639178194382, or email contact@missuniverseph.com,” MUPH added.