THE FILIPINOS’ love and support for Michelle Marquez Dee paid off big time!
The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization announced on Tuesday that the Filipina beauty queen secured the top spot in the “Voice for Change” category of the 72nd Miss Universe competition.
Dee strongly advocates for autism awareness in the highly anticipated pageant.
“PILIPINAS, SALAMAT PO. Thanks to you, Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee is at the top of the Voice for Change voting!” said the MUPH.
Sparkle GMA Artist Center also thanked fans for their continued support for the agency’s talent.
Thanks to the Filipinos’ “Bayanihan” spirit, Dee racked up a total of 265,463 votes, based on data from CI Talks’ website.
The 28-year-old beauty queen was followed by Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios, with 165,848 votes. She spoke out about mental health awareness, especially anxiety disorders experienced by women and the youth in her advocacy video.
Ukraine’s Angelina Usanova ranked third with 152,893 votes in the “Voice for Change” poll, where she highlighted how the ongoing war in her country tremendously affected the mental health of Ukrainians, particularly the women and children.
There will be three Gold winners for the “Voice for Change” competition, who will each receive $12,000 worth of cash prize from the pageant’s crown provider Mouawad and CI Talks, the sponsors and originators of the video contest.
MUPH continued its mission to gather more support for Dee—this time, to make her rank first in the “Fan Vote” category of the pageant. The winner will automatically secure a spot in the semifinals.
“Now, we make sure she is no.1 in the Miss Universe Fan Vote! The winner of the Fan Vote will get an automatic placement in the semifinals so please keep voting,” it said.
To support Dee, download the Miss Universe app on your mobile phones. Go to the “Vote” tab to find “Philippines,” and click the star icon found below Dee’s picture to cast your vote.
The winner will be announced during the pageant’s coronation night in El Salvador on November 19 (Philippine time).
Dee is vying for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.
Fil-Am physician in selection committee
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) also announced the members of the selection committee of the 72nd Miss Universe competition, and among them is a Filipino-American.
Dr. Connie Mariano served as a physician to former United States presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. She also became the first Filipino-American in the U.S. Navy history to become a rear admiral.
The Filipino-American physician will join nine other selection committee members in the pageant: fashion model Halima Aden, designer Carson Kressley, singer-songwriter Mario Bautista, Roku’s vice president of growth marketing and merchandising Sweta Patel, Miss Universe 1977 Janelle “Penny” Commissiong, actress Giselle Blondet, entrepreneur Denise White, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, and social media personality Avani Gregg.
It was earlier announced that Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray will also join in the pageant as a backstage correspondent.
Selection rounds
The MUO also unveiled the pageant’s official selection rounds.
The competition will feature the Top 20 finalists who will take the spotlight in the swimwear segment.
The Top 10 finalists will then be announced, before the pageant transitions to the evening gown competition.
Only five delegates will enter the question-and-answer portion. This will determine the Top 3 delegates who will move to the final Q&A segment.
Reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel will then crown her successor.
