Around GMA

Article Inside Page

In a little over three weeks, current reigning Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee will be flying to El Salvador to hopefully bring home the country's fifth Miss Universe crown. And while she's been preparing hard for the competition, she credits Sparkle GMA Artist Center for giving her a great foundation.

During the send-off organized for her at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao by Sparkle and the Miss Universe Philippines organization, Michelle shared that Sparkle believed in her even before she decided she would become a beauty queen.

“GMA took me in when I was just known as the daughter of Melanie Marquez and when I didn't have any experience in the industry. It's because of GMA that I really grew to be this artistic person,” she recalled. “I chose to be an actress first before a beauty queen because I recognized that I still didn't have the confidence to be in front of a large congregation or in front of the camera. GMA really helped me mold that personality and truly they are the best.”

Michelle also emphasized that Sparkle didn't just give her a good foundation, but also championed her when she began pageantry.

“Beyond my acting career, when I first started pageantry, I really had Sparkle GMA Artist Center supporting me in the background, whether trying to get me sponsors or getting media mileage. These people champion me and they support me in whatever I need,” she shared.

Thanks to all of that support, Michelle is headed to El Salvador ready to give “200 percent” in winning the crown.

In an interview during her contract renewal with the Autism Society Philippines, Michelle shared that she is giving everything that she has when it comes to pageant preparation.

“I'm giving it everything that I have, 200 percent of myself I am dedicating to my crown. Nililigawan ko talaga yung pang-limang korona,” she shared. “I'm really training everyday when my schedule permits. I've been working on different aspects of my campaign just to make sure that when I fly to El Salvador, 100 percent ready.”

The Miss Universe Philippines organization has already shared a peek into Michelle's pasarela training before, calling it “fierce pasarela training” that will help Michelle “conquer the Miss Universe stage.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Miss Universe Philippines (@themissuniverseph)

Michelle already teased her preparations for the pageant back in August in an interview with Unang Balita, where she shared her excitement for the Miss Universe coronation night and how the Miss Universe Philippines team are polishing her performance for the pageant.

“Sabihin nating perfect na, mas kaya pang i-perfect. Obviously, I have so much trust in my team, I have much trust in the organization,” she said. “We all know I love giving a show and I love looking the part as well, so abangan niyo talaga.”

Watch the whole video below.