‘This might not be the last’: Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022 Michelle Dee vows ‘to come out stronger’
After falling short in her campaign to win the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 crown, Michelle Marquez Dee promised to come back stronger and hinted that the recent pageant “might not be the last.”
In an Instagram post, Michelle Dee is grateful for everyone who supported and helped in her MUPH journey. She accepted defeat with grace, believing that everything happens for a reason and that it is destined for Celeste Cortesi to win the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 crown.
“I have always believed that everything in life happens for a reason. As @celeste_cortesi and I gave our all to win the crown, in the end we always knew only one of us would win. ✨ No one can take her destiny away from her because she is queen well-deserved and a true friend for that matter as well,” Michelle wrote in her caption, expressing her joy to have shared this crowning moment with friend, Celeste Cortesi.
Dee saw the winning announcement as one of the most intense scenes in her life so far yet the journey filled her with so much character that indeed, describes a queen.
“But at the end of it all, I'm filled with nothing but gratitude for the love, lessons and endless support I’ve received. No effort will go unnoticed and I promise to come out stronger.”
With her promising performance early on in the pageant, Dee stood out as the crowd favorite and was labeled as the "Hakot Queen" after she bagged six special awards at the Miss Universe Philippines Preliminary Competition.
Honestly my greatest fear is making a fool out of myself sometimes but I conquer that by always putting myself in that kind of situations.
As a well-seasoned candidate, pageant experts also predicted the Kapuso actress as one with a strong lead to advance in the TOP 5 along with Cortesi. True enough, she even proved that she is a no stranger in the pageant scene through the Q&A segment. Dee’s answer to the question, “What is your greatest fear and how do you try to overcome it?” was cheered by many. She confidently touched on conquering her fear through putting herself amidst fearful situations facing it all forward.
“Honestly my greatest fear is making a fool out of myself sometimes but I conquer that by always putting myself in that kind of situations. Actually just joining a pageant was something I was very scared about because of the pressure, but I’m standing here in front of you hoping to be the next Miss Universe so I can make my country proud once again, ang minamahal kong Pilipinas.”
Michelle Marquez Dee was crowned Miss World Philippines in 2019 and represented the country in the Miss World competition where she advanced until the semi-finals. She was named Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Tourism on April 30. Should she decide to compete again next year for the Miss Universe Philippines crown, it will be her third time to join a national pageant.