The Miss Universe 2023 coronation night may be over, but Michelle Dee is still taking home the awards! Our Miss Universe Philippines 2023 bagged three special awards during the competition at El Salvador: the Carnival Cruise Award, the No. 1 Fan Vote, and the Voice for Change Award. As one of the Voice for Change Award Gold winners alongside Angola and Puerto Rico, Michelle was one of three candidates to take home a cash prize of $12,000 (approx. P665,000).
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And we just learned that Michelle also won a *fourth* special award. According to ABS-CBN, the Miss Universe Organization announced on Friday, November 24 that the Philippines' bet received the most votes in the Choicely app for Best National Costume.
The beauty queen sported a Michael Barassi creation complete with huge airplane wings in the colors of the Philippine flag. On it is a breathtaking mural depicting the Philippines' most-loved tourist spots, with the country's official tourism slogan #LoveThePhilippines. Representing her role as an Air Force reservist, Michelle also sported a captain's hat.
"In the grand tapestry of the Philippines comes a National costume as stunning as its archipelago. Behold, Sergeant Michelle Marquez Dee, Miss Universe Philippines, adorned in the nation’s pride and heritage. With each thread woven into the “solihiya” pattern, an iconic design used in the tropics of the Philippines, it embraces her body flawlessly — unfolding the story of the islands’ unity and artistry," Michelle wrote on Instagram.
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As Michelle stated, her National Costume represented the Philippines itself: "resilient, radiant and ready to embrace the Universe!" Congratulations, Michelle!
