Geneva Cruz and Michelle Dee. Image: Instagram/@genevacruzofficial, @michelledee
Geneva Cruz aired her dismay over Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee’s supposed “lousy” representation of the Philippine Air Force reservists, after the latter apparently did not wear her military uniform properly.
Cruz, who is also a PAF reservist, shared photos of Dee during a flag-raising event at Rizal Park, Manila via her Instagram Stories last Dec. 5. The actress reminded the beauty queen of the reservists’ responsibility to properly wear the military uniform as a sign of respect.
“I am proud of what she has accomplished for [the Philippines], but it is our responsibility as reservists to wear and carry our uniforms properly as sign of respect to the force, our nation, and our military men and women, most especially our active officers,” she said.
“Represent the country and the Philippine Air Force properly. Kaya hindi sineseryoso ang mga reservists e (This is the reason why reservists are not taken seriously),” she stressed. “This is lousy, not snappy.”
Image: Instagram/@genevacruzofficial
Cruz did not specifically say what she found “lousy” in Dee’s PAF uniform.
The singer-actress also echoed a sentiment of an “unhappy” netizen who called out Dee as well for “disrespecting” the air force uniform.
“I don’t care if you represented the country for Miss Universe but for as long as you wear any military uniform, wear it properly… Lousy as f…,” the social media user commented on a photo of Dee. “Talagang binabastos na ang uniporme namin (This is a disrespect to our uniform). I condemn this to the highest degree!”
“Yan na nga po,” Cruz wrote as she highlighted the netizen’s comment.
Image: Instagram/@genevacruzofficial
Dee has yet to respond to her fellow actress’ remark, as of writing.
Dee competed with 83 other delegates in the Miss Universe coronation night held last Nov. 18, wherein Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua emerged as the titleholder.
Aside from Dee’s Top 10 finish, she also bagged the Spirit of Carnival and fan vote awards, and was one of the pageant’s “Voice for Change” gold awardees. She also wore an airplane-inspired outfit during the national costume portion, which, though not part of the competition, won for her the Best in National Costume post-pageant.