Jessie Gabonpa 
Miss Makati Michelle Dee bested 37 other candidates after claiming the coveted title of Miss Universe Philippines 2023 during the pageant’s coronation night held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Bay City, Pasay on May 13.
Dee, 28, won the said title with her winning answers as to how to close the gap between the rich and the poor; and what the best that the Philippines could offer to the rest of the world.
In the final question-and-answer portion, the Top 5 candidates were asked with the same question: “Recently, the Department of Tourism has adopted a new branding campaign: ‘We give the world our best for you.’ What is the best that we could offer to the rest of the world? Why do you consider it so?”
The newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines answered: “The Philippines is home to very beautiful natural resources—from the beaches, the mountains, but I firmly believe that the best natural resource that the Philippines has is us Filipinos. We are the true heart and soul of the Philippines—with the way we are hospitable, with the warm smiles. And we are the reason why the world keeps coming back for more. No matter where the universe takes me, I will always be proud to call the Philippines my home. And no matter what happens, I will always be proud to call myself Pinoy.”
Dee is now poised to represent the Philippines in the highly anticipated Miss Universe 2023 that will be held in El Salvador.
Meanwhile, runners-up of the said pageant are Zambales’ Christine Opiaza and Pampanga’s Angelique Manto as the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.
