MMD soars with her fourth award!

Philippines’ bet Michelle Dee ended her Miss Universe 2023 journey by bringing home not only three special awards, as the organization announced that she also won the pageant’s coveted award, the Best in National Costume, being the third Filipino candidate to take such an award.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 24, Miss Universe Philippines announced that Dee won the award through the votes from the Miss Universe app, which proved that her national costume showed radiance and readiness to conquer the universe.

“The Miss Universe Organization has just officially announced that Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee won the Best National Costume Award at the recently concluded 72nd Miss Universe competition,” it said.

Dee paid tribute to the Filipino weaving culture and her role as an Air Force Reservist for the National Costume Competition, which also featured her siblings on the autism spectrum as the passengers in the jeepney as part of her costume’s design.

This award has been an addition to the Filipina beauty queen’s special awards, which are the Spirit of Carnival award, Miss Universe’s fan voting, as well as being one of the three gold medalists in the Voice for Change video competition.

Despite not advancing to the final five, ending her Miss Universe stint in the Top 10 and flaunting her Apo Whang Od-inspired evening gown, Dee has proven that she showcased an outstanding performance, which was lauded by her fellow beauty queens.