Michelle Dee

 Philippines in Miss Universe fan vote Top 10

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Philippine delegate Michelle Dee, together with three other Asian countries, as well as two European, and four from the Americas were announced as the current Top 10 countries in an ongoing Miss Universe online poll.

In a social media post, the Miss Universe Organization wrote, "It's neck and neck! These are the delegates leading the Fan Vote as of Thursday, Oct 12th (in no particular order). Don't see your favorite delegate? Download the Miss Universe app and cast your vote."

And the Top 10 voted delegates are:

- Diane Leyre (France)

- Sheynnis Palacios (Nicaragua)

- Endi Demneri (Albania)

- Michelle Dee (Philippines)

- Melissa Flores (Mexico)

- Amara Bo (Myanmar)

- Karla Acevedo (Puerto Rico)

- Celeste Viel (Chile)

- Antonia Porsild (Thailand), and

- Maya Abou El Hosn (Lebanon)

Of the ten countries in the list, three - Albania, Myanmar, and Nicaragua - have yet to win their first crown.

France won in the years 1953 (Christiane Martel) and 2016 (Iris Mittenaere).

The Philippines won in 1969 (Gloria Diaz), 1973 (Margarita Moran), 2015 (Pia Alonso Wurtzbach), and 2018 (Catriona Magnayon Gray).

Mexico won in 1991 (Lupita Jones), 2010 (Ximena Navarrete), and 2020 (Andrea Meza).

Puerto Rico won in the years 1970 (Marisol Malaret), 1985 (Deborah Carthy-Deu), 1993 (Dayanara Torres), 2001 (Denise Quiñones), and Zuleyka Rivera (2006).

Chile won in 1987 with Cecilia Bolocco while Thailand won in 1965 (Apasra Hongsakula) and 1988 (Porntip Nakhirongkanuk).

Lebanon won the crown in 1971. While skin-baring silhouettes are the preferred gowns of late, it is interesting to note that it was eventual winner Georgina Rizk who "risked" wearing a see-through gown in what was then considered a fairly conservative contest. Over four decades later, Miss Universe hopefuls are following her lead.

The Top 10 delegates are presented in no particular order. The results come from votes cast before Thurs, Oct 12th. It is expected that the poll results will vary from time to time. Vote-rich countries like Vietnam and Indonesia are expected to fare in forthcoming results.

The 72nd Miss Universe pageant will unfold on Nov 18 from the National Gymnasium in San Salvador, El Salvador. The competition will be simulcast in various platforms, including that of ABS-CBN's network. Stay tuned!