
This year's candidates for the Miss Universe Philippines pageant got a special treat during their contract signing when reigning Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee gave the more than 50 delegates a visit.
In one of the more recent posts on the Miss Universe Philippines official Instagram account, the organization posted multiple photos of the delegates being briefed on this year's theme, “Love for All”, as well as the contract signing making them official delegates of this year's pageant.
Michelle was also in one of the photos wearing a white midriff with jogging pants. The organization made note of Michelle's appearance in the caption of the post, writing that her visit made the afternoon “really special”.
It's no surprise that Michelle is visiting this year's delegates, as she has previously expressed that she has no problem coaching whoever her successor may be.
Speaking to Lhar Santiago at the announcement of her brand ambassadorship role for China Bank, Michelle said that she plans to help the queens the same way those who came before her helped her.
“Of course, you always pay it forward. Just like every queen who has passed the crown to me, I plan to be just as much of a help to the next queen as well,” she said.
Michelle also spoke about her high hopes for this year's delegates and her excitement at what each candidate will be bringing to this year's pageant.
“This year is going to be a very exciting batch. We have a lot of strong contenders this year, a lot of amazing delegates, a lot of amazing municipalities with great representation,” she shared. “I honestly wish all of them the best. I know that they're all going to give the A-game and I'm very excited for what's to come.”
Michelle had also attended the Miss Universe Philippines presentation of delegates earlier this month with a Louis Vuitton Side Trunk PM with her.
Aside from visiting the Miss Universe Philippines delegates, Michelle has also been featured on the cover of MEGA magazine alongside Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porsild.
In the accompanying article, the pair revealed that they were not friends at first sight during the Miss Universe pageant held in El Salvador.
According to Anntonia, Michelle initially “brushed her off” during the Miss Universe registration, an account that Michelle contests.
“I was standing in line waiting to check in for Miss Universe registration, and I just saw Miss Philippines walk through the door as if she were the owner of the place, wearing her shades indoors,” recalled Anntonia. “Anyway, the first reaction I had when I saw her was that she was kind of distant. I tried to approach her, and then she kind of brushed me off.”
The way Michelle remembers it, Anntonia was the one who gave her the cold shoulder.
“It's the same moment, but, number one, I didn't see Anntonia, Miss Thailand, greet Miss Philippines when she arrived. That whole day, she was Miss Congeniality, greeting everybody in the lobby except Miss Philippines,” said Michelle.
The two were eventually able to clear the misunderstanding between them during a bus trip, eventually posting a picture of the two of them together to squash rumors circulating that they did not get along.