When you’re sure of who you are, nothing can break you down. Miss Universe Philippines 2023 #MichelleMarquezDee is a testament to this.
In any competition, people will always have their personal bets– which often leads to non-believers discrediting whoever wins. Case in point: directly after winning the Miss Universe Philippines title, photos of Michelle during her teenage years resurfaced on social media. This led to the public questioning her sexuality.
While no individual owes another an explanation about their sexual identity, Michelle Marquez Dee is here to put a stop to the rumors: she is bisexual and it’s none of anyone’s business.
By living out her truth on her terms, Michelle hopes that her bisexuality won’t overshadow her other advocacies such as autism awareness. After all, the beauty queen believes that being queer shouldn’t be the only thing that defines one’s entire character.
Read more: https://onemega.co/MEGAxMichelleDee
Blazer by @balmain
Photographed by @iamdoc, written by Celine Trinidad, creative direction by @nicoolealmero, fashion direction by @iamkatrinacruz and @ryujishiomistu, beauty direction by @agoo_b assisted by @miacastrooo, makeup by @davequiambao_ assisted by @michaelscarag, hair by @nellyseboy, sittings editors @peeweeisidro @bamxbva and @jonespalteng, fashion assistants @bithia.online and @rayaanasco, shoot assistant @laurdsalen, special thanks to Joy Marcelo and JD Datiles of GMA Sparkle Management, Jonas Gaffud @jonasempire.ph, President and Creative Director of Miss Universe Philippines @themissuniverseph, Darick Cuevas @darricckk and Eljohn Mendoza @eljohnmendoza, and Mau de Leon @mau_s_deleon of Empire/Mercator Talent Agency @empireph.mercator, MEGA Magazine, June 2023.
#MissUniversePhilippines2023
#MissUniversePhilippines
normannorman.com 
I dont know what to say about this. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I applaud her but the timing of it all sounds kinda fishy… Did they really have a Vogue cover already created as she finally came out?
I appreciate if she just put out a statement without so much fanfare. I dont think every queer person has the machinery to have a Vogue cover to allow us to comfortably come out.
Sorry MMD, not too relatable.
Norman good morning. Pwede post ka naman kay Anna Valencia Lakrini. Nakakasawa na ang tigas ng mukha ni Michelle Dee. Thanks.
MPE, MUP & Bb. Pil-Int’l 2023 winners have one thing in common – hindi naman pangit pero kulang talaga sa ganda.
There is gospel truth in Pierro Rocco’s second paragraph. The titleholders’ respective pageant orgs should take this as constructive criticism. When he says “kulang sa ganda”, it doesn’t mean the girls would no longer improve their look. They can still glow up, given proper styling and beauty regiments.
There are non-main winners in the recent and previous MEP, MUP, and BbP that I wish would come back in the pageant scene:
1. Miss Earth Philippines-AIR 2023 Kerri Reilly. She is effortlessly gorgeous and has that Dayanara Torres vibe. She just needs to work hard on her body, pasarela and communications skills. She has to join a training camp to boost her chances. She’s only 20 years old. Let’s wait ’til she reaches her prime five years from now.
2. Krishnah Gravides. This girl can be our MUP rep. Her transformational leadership is remarkable. From her TV appearance on Wowowin wherein she looked so probinsyana to her MUP journey where she glowed up and looked delicate, expensive, chic, etc., indeed, she is an amazing woman, such that her Charm placement is overqualification.
2. Rheema Adakkoden. The Supra crown is waiting for this girl. I love her morena features, so gorgeous.
3. Jessilen Salvador. She is for Globe. Ang ganda ng face nito talaga. She just has to lose weight para magmukhang matangkad.
4. Stacey Gabriel. Angkol will be happy to have her. The vibrance, elegance, and eloquence are on her. Honing na lang talaga ang kelangan for the Grand template.
5. Isabelle Bilasano. She will never be a “bilasa” even if she comes back three years from now. I can see Intercontinental in her.
6. Angelique Manto. She is eloquent and beautiful. Pero may kelangan baguhin sa smile n’ya para hindi s’ya mukhang luma. Kunting veneers siguro. MUP in the making din s’ya talaga.
7. Klyza Castro. She is no doubt a good speaker. Kumakain ng mic si girl. However, she looks matured and tired. It has to do with her talukap. Nakakatanda talaga ang mataas na talukap, so dapat ayusin n’ya ang make up n’ya. Bagay s’ya sa Globe, not for Universe.
8. Ysabella Ismael. I just hope she joins the next edition of Miss World Philippines. I believe that she will be our next Miss World. Her being ballerina is patok kay Madam Julia, and her beautiful face is her advantage. Plus, she is eloquent.
That’s all.
My baaaad!
I reread my post and how I could be sure to not include Christine Juliane Opiaza from the list? Dahil ba nakikita ko sa aking bolang kristal na s’ya ang lalaban sa MU as MD’s replacement? Hindi sa hinihingi ko ang pagkakataon, pero posibleng mangyari. I wish MD’s good health. Sana ingatan n’ya nga well being n’ya.
Anyway, CJ is MU-ish. Sobrang fierce at ang ganda ng tindig n’ya. Hanapin lang n’ya ang tamang styling sa hair and make up. Enough of the split-centered hair. Medyo hindi bagay sa kanya. She’d go for Venezuelan big hair curls. Patok sa mga bakla si CJ dahil mabait daw talaga ito at walang attitude. Kaya love love ko din si CJ. Best of luck, girl.
That’s all.
Hindi ba si Pauline ang papalit kay MMD if the later becomes unavailable during the Ms. Universe competition?
@Edge, I think no. Per reports, the Miss Supranational Organization chose Pauline as Philippines’ rep to their pageant. Besides, as the usual statement goes before announcing the eventual winner in any pageant “in case the winner fails to perform her duties as ____, the first runner-up will take over.” CJ is this year’s MUP first runner-up, so logic dictates that she would succeed MMD.
That’s all.
Oh I see. Thanks for clarying.
Ang wild na sinasabihan pangit si Yliana dahil lang sa half-caucasian na bare minimum lang ang performance wkwkwkw
Tapos si complain kayo dito kapag walang Filipino identity ang merlie
Maganda nga , kulang nman sa utak. Ngangarag sa QandA kagaya ni tiyanak kung ngumiti kaya talo. Kulang na nga sa SS at EG, waley pa sa QandA and interviews kaya please stop na baka may mahagisan pa ako Ng aking korona (korona virus gusto nyo)😀 ahihihihihi.
Di ko rin maget galit ng mga users dito kay Yliana, e klaro naman na sya talaga nagperform nung MPE wkwwkwk. Yang half-caucasian na hinahype nyo tigas ng katawan pag rumarampa
Dami mga hanash Ng mga vacklah. Gusto kong isampal Yung MUP crown sa inyo. Hihihihihi 😊
A queen is a queen, regardless. Best wishes, Michelle! 🖤
@scowrg, actually I agreed with the results… I’m not into blind fanaticism… lol
@Cool Brew, like you I have always abided with the verdict of any Selection Panel in any contest. That’s the job these distinguished people were tasked to do– choose. Who am i to question their collective decision? All that we followers have got to do is simply support the chosen winner.
@scorg, Yes… what happened in MOA was reminiscent of MU in LA. My mom said that when (RP) Lia Ramos didnt make the first cut, the Pinoy fans and the Asians transferred their support to Japan . Anyway, Boholanos are new eagerly waiting for her Supra journey to kick off
Bakit pumuputok ang mga butchie nyo dahil sa revelation nya. 80 percent ng mga nag coco Moment dito eh hiding parin sa closet . Yung vice President nyo eh Tibo rin. So we should be happy kasi honest si Tivoli . Kung si Piolo nga hangang ngayon hiding parin, pero I know someone na nag cocomment dito na artists na closet din,,kilalala ko sya.
Daming alam nito.🤣😂😅. Patawa.hahah
Nag mana yan sa mga pink na dilaw ang loob
@Eyad present and member ng 31 million na bobo/ SD card🤮 at dahil sa inyo lubog ang Pilipinas sa utang. At dahil walang pera ayun Maharlika Bill ang sagot . Kawawang Filipino ny the time na mag retire ka wala ka nang makukuhang pera dahil nanakaw na nila. Marcos at Duterte pa more ending bagsak ang Pilipinas😂
This puts an end to hearsays
MU attracts diverse aspirants—women of various economic backgrounds, gender orientation, civil status, ethnicity, political persuation, educational attainment— on the belief that labels should not define their womanhood. If the winner happens to be a bisexual, it’s simply reflective of who we are as a diverse, inclusive and equal society. Other pageants have a different template of their image models: demure “Dalagang Pilipina”, buxom “Dalagang Pangrampahan”, and in-between others that mouth lip service to some advocacies that resurrect before and die after the contest.
Of all sectors of society, I would expect members of the pageantry community to be most accepting of gender orientation of people because this is the industry that is supposed to be gay-friendliest, being mostly populated by people with differently- oriented gender.
* persuasion, not persuation
“… because this is the industry that is supposed to be gay-friendliest, being mostly populated by people with differently- oriented gender.”
Oops, @scorg that’s stereotyping while trying to sound politically correct. Contradicting if not confusing. I know you’ve got good intentions being” woke” and all but methinks so-called woke people are shooting their feet a lot these days.
E … di … lalaban na lang sa MUPh ang lahat ng transwomen. Tanggalin na lang ang Ms. International Queen. Yung mga Tivoli transmen sasali na lang din sa Mr. International Philippines o kayay magpa draft sa PBA.
Why do people have to share about their sexuality or sexual preference to the public? Aren’t bedroom matters private matters?
@aj, because sexuality or sexual preference is not a bedroom matter. If that is intrinsically part of one’s nature, he/she lives with it– in school, in the workplace, everywhere– publicly and privately. Some people who wanted to be as authentic a human being as possible accepts their truth and shares/ celebrates their humanness!
So @scorg, care to tell us your fetishes?
@AJ
You are conflating “fetishes” with “sexual identity.”
Those are two distinct things.
Your retort to scorg misses the mark & I’m lowkey embarrassed for you.
@AJ
I know, imagine that.
All these LGBTQ+ people asserting their right to be treated as equal & insisting on living honestly & openly with the belief they are deserving of pride & dignity.
Don’t you just miss the olden days when LGBTQ+ were incarcerated & publicly shamed for expressing their sexual identity? I mean Oscar Wilde was sent to jail with hard labor for two years for being gay. Now THAT is the proper way to deal with homosexuals!
BTW @AJ, what device did you use to time-travel from the past into 2023? Perhaps you can use that same device to travel back?
Or better yet, how about moving to a fundamentalist Islamic country where women have to wear burkas to cover their entire bodies except for their eyes & hands to hide even the tiniest hint of sexuality. In those countries, it is also verboten to be gay. Perhaps that would satisfy your need to have the sexuality of women & LGBTQ+ controlled to the extent that it is also completely erased from public view.
Calm down @SQ. I’m sorry if I offended you but I think you’re the one missing my point. My question was very simple and not discriminating between straight people or lgbtqxyz+++*&#@! Please go through my question again.
While to me, bisexualism should be a non-issue at MU, as it should be everywhere else in the world, the reality is that it is still an issue, and a big one at that, in most places on earth. One of such is El Salvador, this year’s country host. Why the government of El Salvador still invited the MU event in its homophobic society, knowing that the MU’s head is herself a transgender, must be based on some overriding expectations of political, economic and/or social gains. However the event turns out to be in December, one thing we now know for sure: the El Salvadorans may not be warmly receptive to a personal brand that carries this authenticity. Will this lower her chances for the crown? I hope not.
An article “El Salvador’s Femicide Crisis” posted in March 2020 in Yale Review of International Studies wrote that the country has one of the “highest rates of femicide in the world”, a crisis “fueled by an ingrained culture of virulent machismo”. This is the country that will play host to a global event that promotes women’s transformational leadership and change management powers! Will the MU event be a game changer for the country? Or a smokescreen to a negative international press? Whatever, it would certainly be interesting for a beautiful bisexual participant talk about social transformation in a homophobic society plagued by gender-based violence. If Michelle can do that, she truly has what it takes to be a Phenomenal Woman of this generation.
Kung nanalo pala si Billie Henderson(?),
3 Tomboy sana ang MUP ni Jonas and Shamcey. Shet!
Other than that lady from Spain na nanalo 1st ru,
Wala pa yata Tomboy na nanalo sa MU.
Kung hindi Tattoin ang winner, tomboy naman. Dysfunctional MUP.
What kind of Filipinas as we showcasing to the World?
Para sa akin. Michele should have just Shut her mouth
and let people think whatever they want(as she said its
none of their business anyway). Because,
I think “ if she didn’t admit it, there’s no Crime committed”.
(Analogy lang po yan, don’t kill me yet).
She should have stick/focus to her Autism platform.
Anyway, good luck to her, I really don’t think she’ll
place high at MU. Now, she pulled her chances lower.
In this day and age it baffles me how narrow minded people are with this kind of comments. Rather than celebrating one’s truth and courage to come out, people like you dare to throw her back in the closet. Grow up people and get in with the times. It’s freakin 2023!!!!!!
Excuse me! Narcissistic gwaping(in your own standard), I have nothing about people coming out and I know it’s 2023.
I’m talking about tarnishing the Philippines representation at MU.
MUP has been trying all F*** up ways to sensationalize our Filipinas at MU and it does not hold well with me(ako lang, and you have to respect my feelings). So, relax ka lang and this is a public forum for people to express their thoughts. Goodbye!
We respect people’s opinions because you are correct, this is a forum/blog. But you were crass about it. Besides the fact that it “sounded” like a put-down, after her revelation. Admit it! We can show empathy, with words.
I find Michelle has a white heart. It shows how good a person she is. She is beautiful. I appreciate her.
No surprise there. She has been giving off that certain vibe even before joining pageants. From her hair to her voice to her clothes to the shifty eyes.
Nothing wrong with being bisexual. I just wonder what kind of image are we cultivating when the Philippines is sending yet another bisexual delegate only two years after Bea Gomez?
Hopefully, the revelation will loosen her up and fully free her up to further bloom and be more natural, expressive. So unlike the stiff, monotonous, guarded Michelle.
Personally, I don’t believe in bisexuality. “Bi now, Gay Later”. Or as Carrie and Miranda would say:
Carrie: I’m not even sure bisexuality exists. I think it’s just a layover on the way to Gaytown.
Miranda: Isn’t that right next to Ricky Martinville?
Speaking of Bea and Michelle. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Lol. Would it be fantastic if Two Universes collide?
World Peace.
This year’s MU host country El Salvador is considered one of the most socially-homophobic countries in Latin America, and possibly in the world. While coming out as a bisexual is a sign of authenticity, this might not be an endearing attribute to the El Salvadorans that could affect her quest for the title. This is a PR issue that her handlers should be able to manage soonest.
I knew this is coming and I was not surprise at all. MU is now becoming a beauty pageant for a person with identity crisis, this is one of many reasons why I lost interest watching the MU. This is the second time MUP will send contestant with identity crisis. Is this the new strategy of every winner now a days? I hope MUP will focus on the advocacies not the identity crisis of the winner. I am happy for you Ms. Philippines.
Crises? Really?
I don’t know why at this age and time, people still linger on someone’s sexuality. I just hope that as rainbows appear in the sky, people should know how to look at their magnificent beauty and appreciate. That’s the essence of humanity.
On Michelle Dee as our representative to MU — I already accepted the fact that she has the privilege to represent our country on the MU stage. Yes, I was rooting for Pauline Amelinckx for the second time in a row in MUP and I thought she was denied the title twice. But I know God has better plans for her. I just wish her the best in Supra.
Permit me to look back a bit on what I felt after the MUP coronation night. TBH, my eyebrows raised up to the rooftop of our house when Michelle won the title. Until now, I did not get it why she bagged the Best in Evening Gown award when there were three girls who aced that segment in descending order: Krishnah Gravidez, CJ Opiaza and Pauline. Is it because of the design? No. CJ’s and Krishnah’s gowns were exquisite than hers. Is it the way she carried it? No. Krishnah did it best. She was so sophisticated in her Rian Fernandez’s gown. CJ, on the other hand, was like the Greek goddess Venus the moment she came out on stage. Michelle was just neatly styled in that gown. Her snake walk even made her less classy on stage. I hope she won’t do it again on the MU stage. Otherwise, she would hardly standout along side the Latinas.
We won’t change the result a matter-of-factly. But, CJ Opiaza has to prepare being Michelle’s first runner-up. We don’t ask for it, but Michelle’s health might block her participation in MU. Remember, days before MUPh coronation, she was hospitalized, and it might happen again.
Michelle has to work hard for MU to disprove her naysayers. She needs to tone down her body. C’mon, she will be competing in a Latin country where pageant fans prefer modelesque girls. Her core must be scene stealer. She has to change her style: from hair down to make up to pasarela. The pressure is on her shoulder. I will still rally behind her journey come Miss Universe season. Best of luck, Michelle.
That’s all.
Welcome back my friend! Missed your emphatic incisive comments even if sometimes we are on the opposite sides of an issue. Good to have you back!
@Scorg, dear! I miss you, too, my friend. I had just hibernated from pageant circle after MU. I watched MUP though, but I chose not to reappear and post my views here thereafter. Oh, I also missed your insights most of which are indepth and well-written.
That’s all.
we gave Pauline her homecoming yesterday and she cried with the overwhelming crowd lining up the motorcade route. So Pauline is bff with Billie Hakenson. I got the chance to have a selfie with Billie while waiting for the presscon cum talk show to get going
@Cool Brew, I too was silently rooting for Pauline for MU crown. But it was the Selection Panel’s decision that we have to accept and respect– she was deemed more worthy of the MS crown. But I think Pau would be a formidable contender for the crown with “Aspirational. Inspirational” messaging. She’s an inspirational speaker with a relatable lifestyle that is worth aspiring for. The MS brand is fast catching up to the stature of MU in terms of quality of its chosen queens. Its current queen was in the winning circle of MU last year. I believe Pau could be a worthy successor of the reigning titleholder from SA.
@Cool Brew dear, Pauline has a great number of pageant supporters precisely because they believe in her capability to bring home a crown. I am happy that despite her failure to clinch the MUP title in her third attempt, she will still represent us on the international stage.
That’s all.
@AWL, same sentiment here about Pauline. I think it is even a blessing that she is being sent to MS. Actively in the brand-building mode, MS branding direction seems to converge with Pauline’s brand personality. Who can be a better spokesperson of it’s “Aspirational. Inspirational” messaging than an inspirational speaker herself whose community involvement is worth aspiring for by the youth!
Anna , just like Scorg, I’m so glad to have you back here…
Thank you, @Cool Brew dear. 😘😘😘
We have exactly the same sentiment with regards to the best in long gown. If I am to judge the long gown, I will put her on the fifth place behind Gravidez, Opiaza, Amelinckx and Manto. I think she needs to tone her body more coz she still looks big and wide on TV.
I don’t care about her preferences but please just keep silent and keep it private, you don’t have to discuss it in public while the competition is not yet over. Hindi porke naging successful si Bea, ganun ka rin?
I also agree with you on your sentiments about Michelle’s pronouncement of her sexuality. While pageant community should be more embracing on a candidate’s sexual preference, this does not really help a candidate’s placement in the competition. That said, Michelle should focus on her core: pasarela, styling, physique and communication skills.
That’s all.
I am expecting this. But don’t call a person “queer.” Just call her as a fact.