Michelle Dee gifts mom Melanie Marquez replica of her long-lost Miss International crown

Michelle Dee just surprised her mother, Melanie Marquez, with a replica of her lost Miss International 1979 crown.

On Instagram, the Sparkle beauty queen shared a video of herself waiting for her mom to get into her car so she could give her the special gift.

"Years ago, my mom's original Miss International 1979 crown was stolen," Michelle said. "She never got it back."

When Melanie entered the car, Michelle handed her the gift, which Melanie immediately opened.

"Korona ko? Paano mo nakuha? Ang ganda naman nito," Melanie told Michelle upon seeing the crown placed in an acrylic box.

"Thank you, I love you," she added.

Michelle said she was able to surprise her mom with the replica crown with the help of Voltaire Tayag.

"I gave her something close enough... a replica with details I never even knew about," she said.

"To my reyna! I love you," she added.

Melanie was crowned Miss International in 1979, making her the third beauty queen from the Philippines to take home the title.

As of 2025, the Philippines has won six Miss International titles: Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016). 

Meanwhile, Michelle was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023. She competed in Miss Universe 2023 and finished in the Top 10 and took home several special awards.

 

 

 

 

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