Homeward bound

 Michelle Dee adds NatCos award to her Miss Universe accolades

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee will go down history as the most awarded delegate, thus far! Aside from her three other awards, she won the Best National Costume award when she was voted as the No. 1 delegate in the online poll through the Miss Universe Choicely app.

The plane-inspired creation by Michael Barassi, in the colors of the Philippine flag, has the tourism slogan #LoveThePhilippines splayed prominently on the back wings of the costume.

"It's a bird, it's a plane . . . It's Philippines! Crowned with a Captain's hat, this costume is a salute to the delegate's role as an Air Force reservist. The look is representative of her country -  resilient and radiant. There's no denying she's the queen of flying in the Philippines!" This was how her costume's details were read during the National Costume show in El Salvador last November 16th.

The National Costume award brings to four the total number of awards Michelle won from the 72nd Miss Universe competition; including the Carnival Cruise award, as the No. 1 Fan Vote recipient, and as one of three Gold winners of the Voice for Change advocacy project (with Misses Angola and Puerto Rico).

Michelle is expected to arrive in Manila today, from her El Salvador stint, and a side trip to Mexico - with Miss Universe 2023 winner Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, her court (Anntonia Porsild of Thailand and Moraya Wilson of Australia) as well as three other delegates, including Misses Venezuela and Lebanon. Filipino fans and supporters are encouraged to meet Michelle at the NAIA terminal around 6pm tonight.