Michelle Dee is among this year's 'Women of Style and Substance' awardees
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee is among this year's “Women of Style and Substance” awardees by local lifestyle magazine, PeopleAsia.
The awarding ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 10, at the Grand Ballroom of Fairmont Makati.
The beauty queen and actress is full of gratitude for being recognized as one of the “Women of Style and Substance” awardees.
In her acceptance speech, Michelle said that the award is not just proof of her journey but also “a reflection of the grace, the resilience, and the fighting spirit that every woman has to make their unique mark in this world.”
“In a few weeks, humbly, I'm about to embark on a new journey [in] representing our beloved country, the Philippines, at the 72nd Miss Universe in El Salvador. And when I go there, I am not just carrying myself, but I am carrying the hopes, the dreams, and the vibrant spirit of every Filipino.
“Collectively, I know that we can create a positive change around the world and make a great impact on the global stage with an emphasis on creating a more inclusive world and as well as to my lifelong mission and the cause closest to my heart, which is towards autism acceptance, awareness, and inclusivity,” she said.
PHOTO COURTESY: GMA Network
She went on, "Together, we are all women of style-absolute style-but we are also women with the greatest substance, fortified by our diverse backgrounds and may we continue to pave the way, illuminate the paths, break barriers, and continue to build bridges for everybody."
"Thank you so much, especially to the people who have put me where I am right now. My core team, of course, Miss Universe Philippines [Organization], my business partners as well, and, of course, PeopleAsia, thank you so much for this recognition. It means so much to me."
Michelle is set to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador, on November 18.
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Aside from Michelle, the “Women of Style and Substance” awardees also include U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Media Quest Inc. President and CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas, Philippine Airlines' AVP and Head of Catering Operations Chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer, climate warrior and advocate Mache Torres-Ackerman, Raffles and Fairmont Hotel Manager Aubrey Ada, and volleyball stars Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez.
They were joined by fellow awardees such as Luminescence Holistic Skin Innovations founder Dr. Kaycee Reyes, Aboitiz Group's Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer Ginggay Hontiveros Malvar, Converge ICT President and Co-Founder Maria Grace Uy, BlueWater Day Spa's Mary Simsim, and Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated actress Dolly De Leon.
The magazine also honored Jujuglow founder Acee Sayson-Paita as its first “Rising Entrepreneur” awardee.