Michelle Dee with Apo Whang-Od (rightmost). Images: Instagram/@markbumgarner, @michelledee
Six months after Michelle Dee gained praise for her Apo Whang-Od-inspired evening gown at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, she finally had the opportunity to be inked by the beloved traditional tattoo artist.
Dee made a breathtaking performance at the global tilt’s evening gown competition in November 2023 with a Mark Bumgarner creation with indigenous tattoo designs, which is a tribute to the legendary “mambabatok.” She ended her stint with a Top 10 finish.
This didn’t stop the beauty queen from finally getting inked by Whang-Od, which she said on a May 1 Instagram post, is the “best way” to count down to her final days as the reigning queen.
“Finally!! Grateful for my team @personifi.io for making this trip with me. What an amazing way to start the month of May and my final days as your reigning queen. (more to come) All love,” she wrote.
Dee enjoyed her short trip to Kalinga by dancing with Whang-Od and her fellow at what seemed to be a school, and even explored more of the province, as seen on reshared snippets on her Instagram Stories.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@michelledee
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@michelledee
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@michelledee
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@michelledee
The beauty queen is said to be the most awarded Miss Universe candidate of all time after winning the Spirit of Carnival Award, Best in National Costume, Fan Vote Winner, and Voice for Change Gold Winner awards.
Dee is set to pass her Miss Universe Philippines crown to her successor on the pageant’s coronation night on May 22.
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