We have a new queen! Last night, May 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena, the prestigious pageant crowned Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan as the next Miss Universe Philippines for 2024, poised to represent the country in the 73rd Miss Universe competition in Mexico. But just before Michelle Marquez Dee officially bid her crown adieu, she managed to take our breaths away once more in the same effortless way she did the first time she walked the MUPH stage.
LOOK: Michelle Dee Passes on Her Crown at the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Coronation Night
Crowning her successor, Michelle Dee was an ethereal sight in a white Mark Bumgarner creation. The strapless ballgown, featuring solihiya-style weaves on its bodice and a thigh-high slit that shows off her long legs, was a frock fit for Filipina royalty.
For her farewell walk, the beauty queen had everyone feeling nostalgic as she re-wore her iconic Apo Whang Od-inspired evening gown that she donned when she previously represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2023 competition. “Thank you for trusting and believing in me. This may be the end of my reign but this is the start of a beautiful chapter," Michelle said in her speech.
Spoken like a true queen, she also shared a piece of advice to the next Miss Universe Philippines: “My best advice is to move and live with purpose. Be certain with who you are and why you are here. The crown will always be a symbol of triumph. But win or lose, it’s the lives that you touched that really make a difference.”
“We have shown the true power of our bayanihan spirit. Thank you for seeing the potential in me and rallying behind me when it matters the most. This is our collective success," Michelle concludes.
Michelle Dee Reacts to Viral Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Crowning Moment
On a lighter note, the internet couldn't help but poke fun at the now-viral moment when Michelle passed on her crown to Miss Bulacan Chelsea Manalo, where she initially placed the crown on top of her successor's head without any support.
“I need to balance my problems like how Bulacan balances her crown,” a netizen hilariously wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Michelle, ever the sport, had a lighthearted response on X: "The crowning moment though," she wrote, accompanied with a photo of the crown after it was properly pinned later on. "Ayan. At least I fixed it" LOL!
Once a queen, always a queen! We're proud of you and your Miss Universe journey, Michelle!
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