Michelle, the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, will compete at Miss Universe later this year in El Salvador. Another early favorite, Bohol’s Pauline Amelincks, failed for the third time to win the crown. There was no Steve Harvey moment last night, but the nearly four-hour show had a major and unexplainable on-air boo-boo.
By Alex Y. Vergara
And just like that, Michelle Marquez Dee is the new Miss Universe Philippines (MUP)!
After more than a month-long search, including a slew of pre-pageant events and activities featuring 38 delegates from all over the Philippines, the country’s most awaited local beauty contest ended last night at SM Mall of Asia – Arena with the crowning of the 28-year-old pageant veteran.
Michelle, the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez and her former husband Derek Dee, continues the legacy her mother started more than 40 years ago.
It was the second time Michelle joined MUP. Last year, she ended up second to eventual winner Celeste Cortesi. When she competes in El Salvador later this year, it will be Michelle’s second foray on the global beauty pageant stage, as she first competed four years ago in London in Miss World 2019, finishing as one of the semifinalists.
Wearing a sleeveless body-hugging rhinestone-trimmed black gown with a side slit and cut-out, Michelle earlier sparkled in Mark Bumgarner’s creation, running away with the Best in Evening Gown award.
She also delivered solid answers in two successive question-and-answer rounds, the last of which had the ladies answering the same question: “Recently, the Department of Tourism has adopted a new branding campaign—We Give the World our Best! For you, what is the best that we could offer to the rest of the world. Why do you consider it so?”
“The Philippines is home to very beautiful natural resources, from the beaches, the mountains, but I firmly believe that the best natural resource that the Philippines has is us Filipinos. We are the true heart and soul of the Philippines. With the way we are hospitable, with the warm smiles, and we are the reason why the world keeps coming back for more. No matter where the universe takes me, I will always be proud to call the Philippines my home, and no matter what happens, I will always be proud to call myself Pinoy,” Michelle said.
Among this year’s judges were reigning Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States and the Philippines’ second Miss Universe, Margie Moran-Floirendo, who brought home the title in 1973.
Another heavy favorite to win the crown, Pauline Amelincks of Bohol, failed for the third time in her bid to clinch the title. She ended up in the top 3, together with Baguio’s Krishnah Gravidez, with no clear placement and title.
This was unlike in MUP’s last two editions, where the second and third placers were crowned Miss Universe Philippines-Charity and Miss Universe Philippines-Tourism — two titles where the winners had no international contests to compete in.
According to one of the program’s hosts, actor Xian Lim, Pauline and Krishnah will be crowned in a separate event, leading pageant fans to speculate that MUP can now send the two also-rans to other lesser-known international pageants such as Miss Charm and Miss Supranational.
Miss Universe Organization’s new owner, Thai businesswoman Anne Jakrajutatip, earlier reminded all local franchise holders the world over to just focus on the crowning of their respective representatives to Miss Universe. Crowning other winners in one contest or stage, she warned, could lead in the revocation of their franchises.
Another pageant veteran, Zambales’ Christine Opiasa, was first-runner up, while Pampanga’s Angelique Manto settled for second runner-up.
Apart from Xian, the nearly four-hour event was hosted by Alden Richards and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunsi.
Although none of last night’s hosts did a Steve Harvey by announcing the wrong winner, the show itself had one major error. After the top 18 delegates paraded in their swimsuits, the hosts proceeded in announcing the top 10.
Xian Lim, however, later announced that they would revert back to manual tallying because of a supposed glitch in the computer system. The change in the manner of tabulation surprisingly required all 18 girls, after their number was trimmed down earlier to the top 10, to again parade on stage in their evening gowns.
The top 18 was later trimmed to top 5, allowing Pampanga, who was not earlier part of the top 10, to have a shot at the crown by gaining a place in the evening’s final cut.
