MANILA, Philippines – Michelle Dee of Makati City was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
On the night of the Miss Universe Philippines finals, viewers tuned in to cheer and support their favorite candidates. But at the end of the night, only one queen reigned supreme, Miss Makati, Michelle Dee, took home the crown. She will represent the country at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee
Michelle is no newbie to the world of pageantry. She’s the daughter of Melanie Marquez, an actress and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International in 1979. During last year’s Miss Universe Philippines, Michelle finished as the Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022, just one step behind the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 winner, Celeste Cortesi. She also won Best in Evening Gown, which she also won this year.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 winners
Joining Michelle on stage were 4 other beauty queens who were awarded their respective titles:
Special awards went to the following:
Best National Costume: Eastern Samar's Airissh Ramos - Tingog ng Filipina (Visayas) Award
Full text of Top 5 Q & A winning answers:
When the competition went down to the top 5 candidates, they went to answer some questions from the judges. Here are their questions and answers:
Miss Makati Michelle Dee’s winning answer:
Judge Sam Verzosa: Income inequality is still high in the Philippines. The gap between the rich and the poor remains. How do we close that gap?
Michelle’s answer:
“I think first we have to recognize what we have and the privileges that we have, such as food, education and homes. I think the best way to address this is really through education because education holds no status quo, and every Filipino child has the right to an education, but not just any education, but quality education, because I believe if the government can provide this to every Filipino child, then we can not only elevate their quality of life, but we can empower them as well.”
Miss Zambales Christine Opiaza (First runner-up)
Judge Lloyd Lee: A recent Goldman Sachs study found that artificial intelligence tools or AI could impact 300 million full-time jobs worldwide, which could lead to a significant disruption in the job market. What do you think of this?
Christine’s answer:
“We are moving forward progress and growth. But change is not always about progress. We have to consider that manpower really posts of the economic development of each and every country. We have to put importance in each and every person making their costs be seen in each and every aspect in the country. So we have to balance the AI and also the importance of having manpower in the country.”
Miss Pampanga Angelique Manto (Second runner-up)
Judge Annette Gozon-Valdes: There were calls by some sectors to ban movies and TV shows that portray the Philippines in a bad light. Should we? Why or why not?
Angelique”s answer:
“I believe that in every aspect there are two things, there is the good and the bad. But it's in the matter of how we receive the images that we are sharing about the Philippines. We always share the good, the beauty there is in the Philippines. But we must also accept that in every aspect, there is the bad, and we must learn and grow from God and improve the country that we are in and hopefully we see Philippines for the good and the bad and celebrate that and allow us to appreciate the country.”
Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx (Miss Supranatural 2023)
Judge Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez: There are reports of online s*xual exploitation of women and children. As a woman, how do we make the digital space safe for you and other women and children?
Pauline’s answer:
“I make the digital space safe by taking the lead in that action by making sure that what I put out there is the truth and it's also a message of hope for everyone else. And for anyone that finds himself or herself in such a situation, know that there are people out there who will be able to help you reach out to you and make sure that you will be able to get through this and we can make a difference together.”
Miss Baguio Krishnah Gravidez (Miss Charm Philippines 2023)
Judge Dyan Castillejo: Transwomen athletes are now being allowed to compete in women's sports events in many international competitions. Do you think that this is a step in the right direction? Why or why not?
“I am all for equality with all genders and I believe that we have the right to participate in any sports. However, I believe that there's a biological reason that we should not allow transwoman in a woman category because I believe that there's a right time for that and there's right measurements to be done. Thank you.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Michelle Dee of Makati is Miss Universe Philippines 2023 | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Miss Universe Philippines |
On the night of the Miss Universe Philippines finals, viewers tuned in to cheer and support their favorite candidates. But at the end of the night, only one queen reigned supreme, Miss Makati, Michelle Dee, took home the crown. She will represent the country at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee
Michelle is no newbie to the world of pageantry. She’s the daughter of Melanie Marquez, an actress and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International in 1979. During last year’s Miss Universe Philippines, Michelle finished as the Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022, just one step behind the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 winner, Celeste Cortesi. She also won Best in Evening Gown, which she also won this year.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 winners
Joining Michelle on stage were 4 other beauty queens who were awarded their respective titles:
- First runner-up: Miss Zambales Christine Opiaza
- Second runner-up: Miss Pampanga Mary Angelique Manto
- Miss Supranational Philippines 2023: Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx
- Miss Charm Philippines 2023: Miss Baguio Krishnah Gravidez
Special awards went to the following:
- Best in Evening Gown: Miss Makati Michelle Dee
- Best in Swimsuit: Miss Baguio Krishnah Gravidez
- Face of Social Media: Miss Agusan Del Norte Jannarie Zarzoso
- Glam Challenge Winner: Miss Agusan Del Norte Jannarie Zarzoso
- Miss Congeniality: Miss Capiz Shayne Glenmae Maquiran
- Fan Vote Winner: Miss Bulacan Princess Anne Marcos
Best National Costume: Eastern Samar's Airissh Ramos - Tingog ng Filipina (Visayas) Award
- First runner-up: Miss Benguet Joemay-an Leo
- Second runner-up: Miss Southern Leyte Kimberly Escartin
- Miss Baguio Krishnah Gravidez - Tingog ng Filipina (Luzon) award
- Miss Agusan del Norte Jannarie Zarzoso - Tingong ng Filipina (Mindanao) award
Full text of Top 5 Q & A winning answers:
When the competition went down to the top 5 candidates, they went to answer some questions from the judges. Here are their questions and answers:
Miss Makati Michelle Dee’s winning answer:
Judge Sam Verzosa: Income inequality is still high in the Philippines. The gap between the rich and the poor remains. How do we close that gap?
Michelle’s answer:
“I think first we have to recognize what we have and the privileges that we have, such as food, education and homes. I think the best way to address this is really through education because education holds no status quo, and every Filipino child has the right to an education, but not just any education, but quality education, because I believe if the government can provide this to every Filipino child, then we can not only elevate their quality of life, but we can empower them as well.”
Miss Zambales Christine Opiaza (First runner-up)
Judge Lloyd Lee: A recent Goldman Sachs study found that artificial intelligence tools or AI could impact 300 million full-time jobs worldwide, which could lead to a significant disruption in the job market. What do you think of this?
Christine’s answer:
“We are moving forward progress and growth. But change is not always about progress. We have to consider that manpower really posts of the economic development of each and every country. We have to put importance in each and every person making their costs be seen in each and every aspect in the country. So we have to balance the AI and also the importance of having manpower in the country.”
Miss Pampanga Angelique Manto (Second runner-up)
Judge Annette Gozon-Valdes: There were calls by some sectors to ban movies and TV shows that portray the Philippines in a bad light. Should we? Why or why not?
Angelique”s answer:
“I believe that in every aspect there are two things, there is the good and the bad. But it's in the matter of how we receive the images that we are sharing about the Philippines. We always share the good, the beauty there is in the Philippines. But we must also accept that in every aspect, there is the bad, and we must learn and grow from God and improve the country that we are in and hopefully we see Philippines for the good and the bad and celebrate that and allow us to appreciate the country.”
Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx (Miss Supranatural 2023)
Judge Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez: There are reports of online s*xual exploitation of women and children. As a woman, how do we make the digital space safe for you and other women and children?
Pauline’s answer:
“I make the digital space safe by taking the lead in that action by making sure that what I put out there is the truth and it's also a message of hope for everyone else. And for anyone that finds himself or herself in such a situation, know that there are people out there who will be able to help you reach out to you and make sure that you will be able to get through this and we can make a difference together.”
Miss Baguio Krishnah Gravidez (Miss Charm Philippines 2023)
Judge Dyan Castillejo: Transwomen athletes are now being allowed to compete in women's sports events in many international competitions. Do you think that this is a step in the right direction? Why or why not?
“I am all for equality with all genders and I believe that we have the right to participate in any sports. However, I believe that there's a biological reason that we should not allow transwoman in a woman category because I believe that there's a right time for that and there's right measurements to be done. Thank you.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
