Sa laban sa Miss Universe 2023… PIA KAY MICHELLE: MAGPAKATOTOO KA, ‘WAG MAGPADIKTA!

ni Beth Gelena @Bulgary Files | May 18, 2023

Sa Instagram ng newly crowned Miss Universe-Philippines 2023 na si Michelle Dee, ipinaliwanag niya kung bakit black gown ang kanyang napiling isuot para sa coronation night ng nasabing beauty pageant.

Ayon kay Michelle, nais niyang mag-stand-out kaya napagdesisyunan nila na ang sikat na fashion designer na si Mark Bumgarner ang kunin upang mailabas kung sino talaga siya.

Pakli niya, "Mark said it best: An evening gown with restraint. In pageantry, every queen's goal is to stand out and wow the crowd.

"One of the best ways to do that is to wear a gown that looks and feels like the 'winning look' for the night, full of anything that would add shimmer, shine and extravagance.

"Mark and I had a different vision. We didn't want to go the typical 'pageant patty' route. We wanted an iconic masterpiece that would bring out my best assets and to stay true to who I am: daring, elegant, fierce - and of course in my color, BLACK."

Sambit pa niya, "It's about having restraint and choosing to stay true to yourself, even if it's so much easier to just follow what everyone wants you to be.

"That in being yourself, you will find people who will believe and see the potential within you.

In choosing to be yourself, you will find enough strength and power to achieve anything you set your mind to.

"Thank you, @markbumgarner for going on this journey with me! You had full reign from its sketch all the way to the MUPH stage and we couldn’t ask for a better outcome."

Ipinakita naman ni Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach ang kanyang buong suporta sa bagong itinanghal na Miss U-Phils. 2023.

Komento ni Pia sa mahabang post ni Michelle sa IG, "YES!! Beautiful! I love how you stayed true to who you are and did not let pageant trends or chiefs dictate how you should be.

"It stood out perfectly! Please maintain that till Miss Universe! We want to see YOU, Michelle Dee."

May advice rin siyang ibinigay, "Don't let other 'chiefs' dictate how you should represent yourself.

As Esther advised me before, too many chiefs ruin the fun. And at this point everyone will act like an expert, even strangers.

"It's YOU Michelle who's gonna be on that stage. And that's a once in a lifetime experience.

Bring the Philippines with you yes, but still be YOU."