Michelle Dee thanks GMA-7 and Sparkle for supporting her throughout her journey
Handa na si Michelle Marquez Dee para sa Miss Universe 2023 pageant.
Noong October 31, lumipad na si Michelle patungo sa Los Angeles, USA, kung saan muna siya magse-stay bago tumungo sa El Salvador para sa Miss Universe pageant sa November 18.
Bago nito, noong October 26 ay nagkaroon ng send-off media conference si Michelle na inorganisa ng kanyang talent management agency, ang Sparkle.
Nang makausap siya dito ng FreebieMNL sa Q&A portion ng presscon, nagpasalamat si Michelle sa naging suporta ng kanyang home network, GMA-7, at ng Sparkle sa kanyang pageant journey.
Saad ni Michelle, “GMA took me in when I was still tagged as the daughter of Melanie Marquez and I didn’t have any experience in the industry. It’s because of GMA that I really grew to be this artistic person and really hone my craft.
“For those who don’t know, I actually chose to be an actress first before a beauty queen because I recognized that I still didn’t have the confidence to be in a large congregation, to act in front of the camera, and GMA really helped me mold that personality and truly, they are the best.
“But beyond my acting career, when I first started my pageant journey, I really had Sparkle artist management’s support in the background, whether they expose it or not—from trying to get me sponsors to making sure that media mileage.
“Miss Joy is somebody that I can call at the wee hours of the day, I can rant about anything.”
Ang tinutukoy na Miss Joy ni Michelle ay si Joy Marcelo, ang Vice President ng Sparkle.
Patuloy ni Michelle, “So, it’s beyond my career they are supporting, it’s also psychological and most especially emotional as well.
“To know that these people champion me, they support me with whatever I need, and grabe, I don’t deserve you but thank you so much.”
READ ALSO: Michelle Dee Of Makati City Is Miss Universe Philippines 2023
Who are coming with Michelle to El Salvador?
Speaking of support, natanong din ng FreebieMNL si Michelle kung sinu-sino ang mga pupunta para suportahan siya sa pageant.
Una na raw rito ang ina ni Michelle, ang 1979 Miss International titleholder na si Melanie Marquez, kasama na ang kanyang mga kapatid.
Ani Michelle, “Well, my mom is going. My two siblings who are in the US as well, my sister Maxine and my brother who actually just finished his mission. He is a missionary in Chile for two years, and he knows how to speak Spanish fluently, ang galing niya talaga and we’re very blessed that they’ll be able to fly as well.
“I know Miss Universe Philippines Organization will also fly with me so I won’t fly alone as well, and of course, I do have a few friends who are joining me as well, really making that journey from Asia all the way to El Salvador.
“I think from what I know, so far, around five to 10 people and it’s no joke to fly to El Salvador, ha. Mahal siya.
“But I know a lot of people from L.A. as well na nahakot ng nanay ko na napagastos para pumunta sa El Salvador! But for those who can’t fly, I know that you will be championing me and supporting me in the ways that you can really do.”
Ilan sa mga kaibigan naman na pupunta para sumuporta kay Michelle ay ang kanyang bestfriend at dalawang beauty queens. Ang close friend niyang si Rhian Ramos at ang boyfriend nitong si Sam Verzosa ay susubukan din daw na makarating.
“Well my bestfriend Harry Hartman is flying, two beauty queens—Samantha Panlilio and Maureen Montagne will also be joining.
“I know Rhian Ramos and Sam Verzosa are considering to fly as well, and again my family. The others are hindi niyo na kilala, mga iba kong kaibigan.”
READ ALSO: Miss Universe PH Michelle Dee Comes Out As Bisexual
Representing the Philippines again as a beauty queen
Taong 2019 nang unang sumali sa isang pageant si Michelle sa pamamagitan ng Miss World Philippines. Napanalunan niya ang korona at ni-represent ang Pilipinas sa Miss World pageant noong taong din iyon, kung saan nakapasok siya sa Top 12.
Taong 2022 nang subukan muli ni Michelle ang pagiging beauty queen at sumali sa Miss Universe Philippines, kung saan napanalunan niya ang titulong Miss Universe Philippines Tourism.
At nitong taon nga, siya na ang itinanghal bilang Miss Universe Philippines.
Sa press conference niya, ikinuwento ni Michelle na marami siyang natutunan sa mga nauna niyang naging experience sa ibang pageant na siguradong magagamit niya ngayon sa Miss Universe.
“Well, my first pageant really taught me a lot of things, that was back in 2019 and I really poured all of my heart as I do with everything else I get involved with.
“But as we all know, in 2020, that’s when the pandemic hit. that’s when I wasn’t able to utilize the crown or maximize it. So, that opened up the opportunity for me to try again, keep building that platform; keep trying to make a positive impact around the world.
“As they say, experience is always one of your best tricks on things that you’ll have. So, through those experiences and everything that I’ve learned from my first pageant, I can take that to the Miss Universe competition and really learn how to balance my effort, balance my energy, and hopefully, it shines through.
“After the whole competition, I’m bigger, I’m wiser, much older. It’s four years apart, I’ve grown so much with the lessons that truly made me a better person. So, I just hope to make everyone proud.”
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