‘Dee’-serving
Michelle Dee will give it her all at Miss World 2019 in London
Michelle Dee has beauty, brains and heart. But are these enough for her to win next month the second Miss World crown for the Philippines?
So far, the 5’11 beauty has appeared in various prediction polls hosted by pageant aficionados. Although “overwhelmed” by it all, the 23-year-old stunner won’t rest on her laurels.
Michelle is set to fly to London on Nov. 19, in time for the month-long pre-pageant activities culminating into coronation night on Dec. 14.
Speaking with reporters at her send-off press conference, she revealed her “game plan” is to just do her best no matter what.
“I have been training for months for all the respective categories for Miss World. All I can really do is do my best and be myself, be genuine. I am kind at heart naman, and I hope the world sees that. My strategy is to show the world how beautiful the
Filipinos are and what we have to offer as a country,” she said.
“Of course, it gives me more confidence whenever I see my name on the list of early favorites. It boosts (my morale) but my goal is to gain more momentum in the coming days so I could secure a spot in the finals.”
Michelle is hands-on with every aspect of the preparations as she wants her performance in the competition to “showcase her personality.”
The beauty queen is paying special attention to the “beauty with a purpose” category, wherein the winner will directly enter the Top 40 in the finale. Michelle has been collaborating with the Autism Society Philippines to bring attention to the needs of children on the spectrum. She expressed her goal of bringing chapters of Autism Society Philippines to rural areas, believing some autism cases there remain undiagnosed due to lack of facilities and awareness.
“This isn’t what I dreamed to become when I was younger,” she said referring to pageantry. “But it is something borne out of purpose, driven by my heart, because I know that I can do good. Without these motivations, without the drive in me to do so much good, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
Support
Being a beauty queen runs in the blood of Michelle. Her mother is Miss International 1979 Melanie
Marquez even as Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 titleholder Winwyn Marquez is Michelle’s cousin.
Asked if her mom has given tips, Michelle said Melanie has helped her lighten up “because I’m a very serious person.”
Organized by Miss World Philippines Organization, in collaboration with GMA Artist Center, the send-off was attended by beauty queens Isabelle de Leon (Miss Multinational PHL 2019), Kelley Day (Miss Eco International PHL 2019), Glyssa Perez (Miss PHL Tourism 2019), Katrina Llegado (Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2019) and Mary Daena Resurreccion (Miss Eco Teen International PHL 2019).
In a separate interview, renowned Filipino designer Albert Andrada is confident Michelle will bring home the crown.
“I really expect her to be a winner because she’s intelligent, she talks so well. Plus she’s the daughter of Melanie Marquez. I’m sure she was trained by her mother,” he said.
Albert has one advice for Michelle though: Shun her social media accounts for now.
“Minsan kasi kapag nakakabasa ng mga comments ng mga bashers, nawawala sa focus. Mas mabuti na mag-sign out na lang para ’yung concentration, talagang nasa competition. I just hope for the best…”
The Miss World 2019 will be telecast live via satellite GMA 7 on Dec.14 at 10 p.m.
‘My strategy is to show the world how beautiful the Filipinos are and what we have to offer as a country.’