Michelle Dee to present her Voice for Change award to ASP following delay in release by MUPH
The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organization revealed that its 2023 titleholder Michelle Dee will finally present her Voice for Change Award to the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP).
This came after Dee revealed on her Instagram broadcast channel on Monday, Sept. 16, that she has yet to receive the award and hoped she would before the next set of winners.
"At present, I'm still waiting for the release of the VFC award and I'm hoping that they do before the next set of winners," she wrote during that time.
Hours after the announcement, MUPH took to its social media account to clarify the issue, saying that the delay was due to the "communication process" of the local pageant organization and not the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).
"We are excited that this week Michelle Marquez Dee will go to the Autism Society of the Philippines to present her Voice for Change award. Even after her Miss Universe stint, MMD remains a staunch ally of her advocacy. A sign of her solid commitment to advance her causes. A real Queen, indeed," the statement read.
It added, "The admin and accounting personnel assigned have resolved which account to deposit the prize to."
The local pageant organizer thanked the 29-year-old beauty queen for uplifting such causes and gave her "voice" to a "bigger platform."
The Voice for Change award was introduced during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, where Dee finished in the Top 10 category. Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios won the title.
Even though Dee didn't win the crown, she bagged three awards, including Best in National Costume, the Carnival Cruise Award, and the Voice for Change Award.
Dee is among the VFC Award's gold winners, along with Ana Bárbara Coimbra of Angola and Karla Guilfú Acevedo of Puerto Rico.
With the award, delegates share their thoughts on many social concerns and fields, shedding light on individuals' challenges and offering suggestions for solutions. Through this, they will "embody Miss Universe's mission of empowering confident women to make the world a better place."
"By sharing their personal stories and passions, these delegates aim to inspire a worldwide movement, proving that beauty truly transcends borders, backgrounds, and beliefs," the MUO said.
Dee spoke passionately on a topic that was important to her: the importance of autism acceptance, inclusiveness, and empowerment. Through this cause, she was able to raise awareness about autism and mental health issues.
Growing up with siblings Mazen Marquez and Adam Lawyer, who both belong on the autism spectrum, is one reason Dee was prompted to advocate for this cause. She even called her autism advocacy a "lifelong mission."
She has worked with ASP, which is committed to ensuring that persons on the autistic spectrum have equal access to jobs, support, and opportunities.