Action star Derek Dee and beauty queen-actress Melanie Marquez are proud parents of Michelle Marquez Dee, the new Miss Universe Philippines.
Marquez-Dee, Makati City representative in this year's pageant, won the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines in a most awaited and competitive search held Saturday night at the Mall if Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Michelle stood out in her Question and Answer portion where she confidently said that the real natural resources of the Philippines are the Filipinos and that she would always be proud of her race being a Filipino.
In the coronation night hosted by actors Xian Lim, Alden Richards, Tim Yap, beauties Maureen Montagne, and 2019 Miss Universe Zozibini Tonzi, the three remaining ladies in the final leg of the contest to emerge the winner were Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx and Miss Pampanga Angelique Manto.
Marquez-Dee will represent the country in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador in South America.