Naging grandiosa ang pagpasok ni Michelle Dee sa national costume round ng Miss Universe pageant.
Ang 28-year old na Philippine bet ay nagulat sa mga pageant fans na kanyang napadpad sa entablado na nakadamit bilang isang piloto — kumpleto sa mga pakpak ng eroplano at isang captain’s hat.
Nilikha ni Michael Barassi, ang kakaibang hitsura ay hango sa papel ni Michelle bilang isang military reservist para sa Philippine Air Force at kinatawan ng kanyang sariling bansa: “resilient and radiant.”
“In the grand tapestry of the Philippines comes a National costume as stunning as its archipelago. Behold, Sergeant Michelle Marquez Dee, Miss Universe Philippines, adorned in the nation’s pride and heritage. 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,” nabasa ang post ni Michelle sa Instagram.
“Rising from her back, 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, this is a salute to her role as an Air Force reservist and to our boundless adventures awaiting in the skies!”
“This National Costume represents the Philippines itself — resilient, radiant and ready to embrace the Universe!”
Nauna rito, pinahanga ni Michelle ang pageant fans sa kanyang serpentine gown para sa preliminaries ng Miss Universe 2023 sa El Salvador. Ang hitsura ay isang pagpupugay sa kanyang ina, aktres at dating beauty queen na si Melanie Marquez, na kinoronahang Miss International noong 1979 na nakasuot ng berdeng gown.
Target ni Michelle ang ikalimang Miss Universe crown ng Pilipinas pagkatapos ni Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran-Floirendo (1973), at Gloria Diaz (1969).
Ang Miss Universe 2023 pageant ay ipapalabas nang live mula sa El Salvador sa Nobyembre 19, 9 a.m. sa Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Metro Channel, at iWantTFC.