Supporters of Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee enthusiastically assembled around SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Sunday, December 10, to commemorate her outstanding performance in the recently-concluded Miss Universe 2023 pageant held in El Salvador.

Dee secured a spot in the Top 10 of the prestigious beauty pageant, earning recognition as the recipient of the Best in National Costume award. She’s the third Filipina to win Best in National Costume in Miss Universe following Charlene Gonzales in 1994 and Gazini Ganados in 2019. Additionally, she was honored as one of three recipients of the Voice for Change Gold award, acknowledged with the Spirit of Carnival recognition, and also emerged victorious in the Fan Vote.

Filipino fans and some pageant YouTubers believed Dee should have advanced to the Top 5 after her jaw-dropping performance in the Top 10 evening gown competition where she wore a showstopper gown inspired by the Philippines’ last and oldest mambabatok, Apo Whang-Od. She wore another version of the Mark Bumgarner creation during the parade.

Dee conveyed her appreciation to her dedicated fans who adorned the streets, expressing their support by waving flags in celebration of her achievements.

It’s interesting to note that the winner of Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacio did not receive a homecoming welcome parade from her countrymen because the national director of Miss Universe Nicaragua, Karen Celeberrti, was banned by the government from entering the country. The ban is reportedly linked to activities related to Miss Universe 2023.