Michelle Marquez Dee was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023 on Saturday night, besting over 30 stunning women from all over the country. She was crowned by last year’s winner, Celeste Cortesi, and was sashed by no less than the 71st Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel.
Michelle Dee will represent the nation in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant which will be held in El Salvador later this year.
Krishnah Marie Gravidez of Baguio and Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol were among the Top 3. They will be crowned with their respective titles in a separate event, because as a rule, the new Miss Universe owner doesn’t allow other titles to be given out during Miss Universe national pageants.
So who will be Miss Charm PH and Miss Supranational PH?
Update: The two were crowned during the after party right after the pageant. Krishnah was named Miss Charm PH 2023 and Pauline was crowned Miss Supranational PH 2023.
Meanwhile, Christine Opiaza of Zambales was named 1st runner-up, and Angelique Manto of Pampanga was 2nd runner-up.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023, however, didn’t go without controversy.
The first cut of the pageant was Top 18, followed by the Top 10. After the announcement of the Top 10, however, the pageant backtracked and brought back the Top 18. According to host Xian Lim, the pageant was resorting to manual counting due to technical difficulties.
Instead of just the Top 10, all Top 18 competed in the evening gown competition, where the Top 5 were chosen.
The announced Top 10:
Makati City – Michelle Marquez Dee
Bohol – Pauline Amelinckx
Davao Oriental – Klyza Ferrando Castro
Baguio – Krishnah Marie Gravidez
Zambales – Christine Opiaza
Bacolod – Jan Marie Bordon
Agusan Del Norte – Jannarie Zarzoso
Sorsogon – Rein Hillary Carrascal
Eastern Samar – Airissh Ramos
Cavite – Samantha Panlilio
You can notice that Angelique Manto of Pampanga was not included in the announced Top 10, but was included in the Top 5.
Aside from Xian, actor Alden Richards and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi co-hosted the event.