Silver Finalists

Michelle Dee in top form at El Salvador prelims

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Philippine delegate Michelle Marquez Dee rocked the Miss Universe 2023 preliminaries held at the Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador.

After months of training, after winning the national crown, Dee flawlessly executed what has become known as her signature Snake/Air walk in a cherry red Rubin Singer maillot. Filipino fans and supporters observed that Michelle's performance has greatly improved from her former stints.

Also excelling in the swimwear round were Karla Guilfu Acevedo (Puerto Rico), Shweta Sharda (India), Lisbeth Valverde Brenes (Costa Rica) and Melissa Flores (Mexico). Body Positivity advocate Jane Dipika Garrett of Nepal and hometown girl Isabella Garcia-Manzo were the most popular delegates.

Michelle, in the evening gown competition, wore a teal green high-collared sleeveless peek-a-boo creation from Mark Baumgarner with elegance and regal bearing.

The other standouts in the evening finery segment were Maria Brechanne (Brazil), Nikolene Uhrenholt Hansen (Denmark), Jessica Page (Great Britain), Michelle Cohn (Guatemala), Shennis Palacios (Nicaragua), Erica Robin (Pakistan), Anntonia Porsild (Thailand), and Diana Silva (Venezuela).

As promised, Fred Mouawad, CEO of the jewelry company that crafted the Force for Good crown, announced the ten Silver Finalists of the Voice for Change advocacy projects. They are, in the order they were announced:

- Ma. Barbara da Silva Coimbra, Angola

- Maria Brechanne, Brazil

- Celeste Viel, Chile

- Maya Aboul Hosn, Lebanon

- Michelle Marquez Dee, Philippines

- Karla Guilfu Acevedo, Puerto Rico

- Priyanka Annuncia, Singapore

- Bryoni Govender, South Africa

- Angelina Usanova, Ukraine

- Brooke Bruk Jackson, Zimbabwe 

Hosted by Vanessa Velasquez and outgoing queen R'bonney Gabriel of the United States, the preliminary competition was beamed live from the Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador. Tomorrow, the National Costume show will unravel in the same venue. Stay tuned!