Michelle Dee Miss Universe 2023 National Costume competition

Paulea Jence Benoza

<p>Michelle Dee made quite the grand entrance during the national costume round of the Miss Universe pageant.</p><p>The 28-year old Philippine bet surprised pageant fans she strutted on the stage dressed as a pilot &mdash; complete with airplane wings and a captain&rsquo;s hat.</p><p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czu0arzPZQk/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=450&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A346680.5%2C%22ls%22%3A345826.69999999925%2C%22le%22%3A346331.40000000224%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="511" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Created by Michael Barassi, the unique look is inspired by Michelle&rsquo;s role as a military reservist for the Philippine Air Force and is representative of her home country: &ldquo;resilient and radiant.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;In the grand tapestry of the Philippines comes a National costume as stunning as its archipelago. Behold, Sergeant Michelle Marquez Dee, Miss Universe Philippines, adorned in the nation&rsquo;s pride and heritage. With each thread woven into the &lsquo;solihiya&rsquo; pattern, an iconic design used in the tropics of the Philippines, it embraces her body flawlessly &mdash; unfolding the story of the islands&rsquo; unity and artistry,&rdquo; Michelle&rsquo;s post on Instagram read.</p><p>&ldquo;Rising from her back, wings bear the colors of the Philippine flag and a mural of its most breathtaking sights while parading the country&rsquo;s official tourism slogan: #LoveThePhilippines. Crowned with a captain&rsquo;s hat, this is a salute to her role as an Air Force reservist and to our boundless adventures awaiting in the skies!&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;This National Costume represents the Philippines itself &mdash; resilient, radiant and ready to embrace the Universe!&rdquo;</p><p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czu0ovrhdIa/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=450&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A346691.90000000224%2C%22ls%22%3A345826.69999999925%2C%22le%22%3A346331.40000000224%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="880" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Earlier, Michelle wowed pageant fans with her serpentine gown for the Miss Universe 2023 preliminaries in El Salvador. The look is a tribute to her mother, actress and former beauty queen Melanie Marquez, who was crowned Miss International in 1979 wearing a green gown.</p><p>Michelle is aiming for the Philippines&#39; fifth Miss Universe crown after Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran-Floirendo (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).</p><p>The Miss Universe 2023 pageant will be broadcast live from El Salvador on November 19, 9 a.m. on the Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Metro Channel, and iWantTFC.</p>

<p>Michelle Dee made quite the grand entrance during the national costume round of the Miss Universe pageant.<p>The 28-year old Philippine bet surprised pageant fans she strutted on the stage dressed as a pilot &mdash; complete with airplane wings and a captain&rsquo;s hat.<p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czu0arzPZQk/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=450&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A346680.5%2C%22ls%22%3A345826.69999999925%2C%22le%22%3A346331.40000000224%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="511" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe>

<p>Michelle Dee made quite the grand entrance during the national costume round of the Miss Universe pageant.</p>

Michelle Dee made quite the grand entrance during the national costume round of the Miss Universe pageant.

LOOK: Michelle Dee’s national costume for Miss Universe | PUSH.COM.PH