PAGEANT fans and supporters have started taking guesses at what could be the national costume that Philippine bet Michelle Dee would be wearing at the 72nd Miss Universe 2023 competition next week.
The 28-year-old beauty queen made them curious after she dropped a hint on Instagram, where she shared a video of her receiving a certificate of attendance for participating in several Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) sessions with the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
It was in October when Dee announced that she had begun taking her BCMT, while also preparing to represent the country at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant.
Once she completes her training, the beauty queen is poised to become one of PAF reservists, who may be deployed in the event of war, invasion, rebellion, disaster or calamities to assist in the socio-economic development efforts of the government.
In her post, Dee expressed her love for the Philippines and said that she will do “everything within my capacity to show that.”
“My heart goes out to those that dedicate their lives to protect and promote the country we love and I encourage you to do what you can (big or small) to do the same,” she said.
Several netizens shared their guesses and said that Dee’s national costume could be inspired by the Philippine military. Some of them imagined that the ensemble could bear camouflage accents.
While a military-inspired costume is not sure yet, one netizen believes that Dee’s outfit would definitely show her patriotism to the country.
The Filipina beauty queen’s costume in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant is designed by Michael Barassi, who also created her national costume at the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 in May called, “Gintong Ani.” The ensemble honored Filipino farmers and symbolized the “warrior queen” in Dee.
Barassi first teased about Dee’s national costume for the 72nd Miss Universe pageant on October 30, when he posted on Instagram a huge box bearing the “national costume” label with Dee’s name on it.
“[R]eaDEE for El Salvador!!! Mabuhay ka PILIPINAS!” the designer wrote in the caption.
The Miss Universe 2023’s national costume show will take place on November 16, a day after the preliminary competition.
Catriona’s return
Another Filipina beauty queen will be seen in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray will be returning as one of the backstage correspondents, along with Emmy Award-winning host Zuri Hall.
The Miss Universe organization announced on Thursday its all-female hosting team for the upcoming pageant.
Serving as main hosts are Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, American TV host Jeannie Mai-Jenkins, and Emmy-winning journalist Maria Menounos.
The 29-year-old Filipina beauty queen also delivered the news through her Instagram page and said that she is “excited” to return as a backstage host for the Miss Universe competition.
Gray is set to leave for El Salvador, where the global pageant will be held.
