THE “Bayanihan” spirit is truly alive, as Filipinos shower Philippine bet Michelle Marquez Dee with support in her bid to take home the country’s fifth Miss Universe title.
The Miss Universe Philippines organization announced that Dee is now leading in the 72nd Miss Universe competition’s “Voice for Change” category, where the Filipina beauty queen promoted autism awareness.
“Salamat, Pilipinas! Thank you to all the supporters, pageant fans, bloggers, FB groups, queens, talents, influencers, and general public who have been continuously helping,” the MUPH said.
Still, the 28-year-old beauty queen still needs to secure the top spot in the “Fan Vote” category to advance to the semifinals. It was previously announced that Dee was among the Top 3 delegates in the Asia-Pacific region.
On November 4, the Miss Universe organization announced the delegates with the largest jumps in the online fan vote rankings from October 26 to 31.
The list consists of Namibia’s Jameela Uiras (up by 28 places), El Salvador’s Isabella Garcia-Manzo (up by 21 places), Russia’s Margarita Golubeva (up by 17 places), Ecuador’s Delary Stoffers (up by 10 places), Angola’s Ana Barbara Da Silva Coimbra, Bolivia’s Estefany Rivero (up six places), Guatemela’s Michelle Cohn (up by six places), Singapore’s Priyanka Annuncia (up by five places), Brazil’s Maria Brechane (up by four places), and Hungary’s Tunde Blaga (up by four places).
Filipinos are encouraged to keep supporting Dee to retain her top spot and enter the semifinals via CI Talks’s website for the “Voice for Change” category and through the Miss Universe website for the “Fan Vote” category.
This development came as Miss Universe delegates arrived in El Salvador on Saturday.
Dee’s arrival
Coming all the way from Los Angeles, Dee flew to El Salvador wearing denim coordinates made by designer Renz Reyes.
“To all my kababayans that are watching, please don’t forget to support me and my journey,” she said.
“All of the girls here are so amazing and I can’t wait to take you all along on my journey,” she added.
She also shared several photos of her arrival in El Salvador, along with MUPH’s creative and events director Jonas Gaffud.
“So incredibly grateful that I arrived safe along with my cargo,” Dee wrote in the caption.
On Sunday, the Miss Universe organization shared some photos of the delegates during the pageant’s registration and wardrobe fittings as preparation for the upcoming pageant.
Dee, of course, kept her supporters updated on her activities, as she shared some snaps of her during Miss Universe 2023’s registration and fitting day.
“First day high & proudly wearing the Philippines over my heart!” she said.
The Filipina beauty queen also said that she was able to get to know other Miss Universe candidates and meet fellow Filipinos in El Salvador.
Reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel will crown her successor at the National Gymnasium in San Salvador, El Salvador, on November 18.
