In her last hurrah as the reigning Miss Universe Philippines, Michelle Dee closes her chapter in a indelible mark at the finals night—with a repeat regalia on sight
Till the end, Michelle Dee does not go down without a fight—and a fashionable one at that. Ending her reign last night as she crowns her newest successor, the queen donned three looks that marked her advocacy of championing Filipino pride in her numbers.
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The Beaded Welcome
Setting ablaze the Miss Universe as the first face to welcome the audience, Makati’s pride donned a beaded top and gold and violet woven tapis that gave her a high slight. Reliving her dramatic pasarela when she won last year, Dee once again did the theatrics of her so-called Snake Walk on stage.
The Subtle Touch of Filipino Pride
With communication as one of her strongest suits, Michelle engaged in a Q&A of sorts with Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel and host Jeannie Mai. This time, she changed into a Mark Bumgarner creation—a white ball gown with bodice made out of weaved rattan for that touch of Filipino; the high slit a nod to the modern woman. Much like the second dress that she wore, her answers were an understatement of simple elegance and pure Pinoy pride.
The Consistent Conclusion
It’s not the first time that a candidate chose to pay homage to her Miss Universe finals gown. Case in point was Pia Wurtzbach who wore the same royal blue shade in her crowning moment as well as her final walk as Miss Universe 2015. But this time around, MMD wore the exact Mark Bumgarner creation that left the nation praising and reflecting on the piece for a very long time. Making her last stride as Miss Universe Philippines 2023 in the Apo Whang-Od-inspired number that she donned in El Salvador, Michelle finally wore the gown in its full effect with her very own Filipinos to witness.
“I don’t believe in knowing when to peak; I believe in peaking and beating your peak.” This was how the actress-host described the micro-steps for the preparation of her crown. With consistency as her game until the end, Michelle Marquez Dee proves that even as she retires the crown on her head, her heart for Filipino pride will always be at the right place.
Photography by GRANT BABIA
