PAGEANT Circle

Reigning Miss Universe Thailand and Mis Universe 2023 first runner-up Anntonia Porsild reunited with Michelle Dee when she touched down in the Philippines for the first time on Monday, January 29. The Thai beauty was also welcomed by "PorDee" fans and members of the media who flocked to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 for her arrival. Her short trip was for a photoshoot with Mega magazine. In a press conference held at KAO Manila, Anntonia shared she was delighted to be in the country and meet once again with Michelle. Both also expressed they're open to any future collaborations together including acting projects. The beauty queens became very close during their stint at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador and in Mexico after the pageant in November. They remained as good friends after going back to their home countries. To recall, Antonia almost won the Miss Universe crown as she finished first runner-up while her queen sister from the Philippin...

Philippines' Michelle Dee has been announced by the Miss Universe Organization as the winner of the Miss Universe 2023 Best in National Costume. The Filipina beauty who entered the Top 10 in the 72nd Miss Universe competition on November 18 in El Salvador was voted by the fans through the official Miss Universe app. Michelle's national costume is a beautiful creation of Michael Barassi. It represents the Philippines itself — resilient, radiant, and ready to embrace the Universe. With each thread woven into the "solihiya" pattern, an iconic design used in the tropics of the Philippines, it embraces her body flawlessly — unfolding the story of the islands' unity and artistry. Rising from her back, her wings bear the colors of the Philippine flag and a mural of its most breathtaking sights while parading the country's official tourism slogan: #LoveThePhilippines. Crowned with a captain's hat, her costume is a salute to her role as an Air Force reservist and t...

The 72nd Miss Universe has just concluded in San Salvador, El Salvador with Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua bagging her country's first ever Miss Universe title. Amid the much talked about victory, the black Whang-od-inspired gown worn by Michelle Dee of the Philippines during the Top 10 evening gown competition became one of the trending topics online. Fans were shocked the Filipina beauty did not advance to the Top 5 question and answer round following her stellar performance throughout the pageant. Many flocked to social media comments to express their disappointments. Michelle's gown made by the talented Filipino designer Mark Bumgarner was an ode to Apo Whang-od (also known as Maria Oggay), a traditional tattoo artist, from the Kalinga tribe in the Philippines. At the age of 106, Whang-od became the oldest woman to ever grace the cover of Vogue magazine. She practices the ancient art of batok, an indigenous form of tattooing through hand-tapping using a lemon tree thorn an...

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, the representative of the Philippines to the upcoming Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador, recently launched her own foundation, the Global Spectrum Initiative (GSI). Inspired by her two brothers on the autism spectrum, Michelle is a strong advocate for autism awareness. She has been a long-time partner and Goodwill Ambassador of the Autism Society Philippines. Her foundation is dedicated to creating a world where inclusion matters for everyone. It aims to build a strong community that fosters inclusivity and acceptance and to create a sanctuary for individuals on the autism spectrum. GSI will also provide quality resources, guidance counseling, and educational programs, and create specialized rooms for learning, sensory stimulation, occupational workshops, and socialization. Michelle took the stage during the Philippine Blockchain Week 2023 this week at Marriot Manila to talk about her advocacy. She launched a special art collecti...

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee has finally put an end to online speculations on her sexuality after several photos of her younger "tomboy" days surfaced. The beauty queen went to social media to announce her first "Mega" magazine cover since winning her national title and where she also came out as a proud bisexual. "This cover is about telling MY personal story and taking control of MY narrative," Michelle captioned a post with her photos wearing Balmain for the Philippines' best fashion magazine. "It's an embodiment of how I truly own who I am and how I want to encourage others to do the same," she added and went on to thank the publication, her national pageant organization, and supporters. She also wrote, "I hope this cover and my story not only empowers you to be authentic to who you are but to also be a champion of the people who are also taking the steps to be as true as they can be to themselves." "Let...

Miss Makati, Michelle Marquez Dee bested 37 other competitors to win Miss Universe Philippines 2023 on Saturday, May 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The 28-year-old actress and model won the national title in her second attempt. She will now prepare to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador later this year. Christine Juliane Opiaza of Zamables was named first runner-up while Mary Angelique Manto of Pampanga finished as second runner-up. Following the show, Top 5 finalists Krishnah Marie Gravidez of Baguio and Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol were awarded the titles Miss Charm Philippines 2024 and Miss Supranational Philippines 2023, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Philippines was last year second to her predecessor Celeste Cortesi and was awarded the title Miss Universe Philippines Tourism. In 2019, she was crowned Miss World Philippines and went on to compete in the 69th Miss World edition in London where she...