Michelle Dee reaffirms partnership with Autism Society Philippines
Current reigning Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee is once again showing that her autism awareness advocacy is a lifelong mission as she signed a new contract to continue working with the Autism Society Philippines (ASP).
At the contract signing held at the GMA Network Center, Michelle reaffirmed her commitment to the ASP, “a national non-profit dedicated to the well-being of Filipinos who live on autism spectrum and those who care for them”.
Present during the signing were ASP national president Lorenzo Sumulong III, ASP chair emerita Dang Koe, ASP national spokesperson Mona Magno-Veluz, and Lia Andrea Ramos, Miss Universe Philippines Head of Women Empowerment, Committee and Charity.
Photo source: Clare Cabudil
Before signing the contracts, the ASP hailed Michelle as as someone they look at as part of their family, saying that she has “lived the life” and is on the same journey that the members of the society have been through seeing as she has two brothers who are on the autism spectrum.
Michelle first signed on as the ASP's goodwill ambassador back in 2019, and during this contract renewal she also talked about how her siblings on the autism spectrum have shaped her life.
Michelle first revealed her two siblings with autism, Mazen Marquez and Adam Lawyer, back in 2019. It was also back then that she called her autism advocacy a “lifelong mission.”
“My connection to this cause was not something that I chose but it chose me. I have two siblings on the autism spectrum as many of you know by now,” she explained.
“Their journeys, their challenges, their triumphs have really shaped my life, changed my perspective, and has given me a greater purpose, which is why this isn't just an advocacy of mine but a lifelong mission.”
Photo source: Clare Cabudil
With this contract renewal, Michelle shared she is looking forward to pushing the ASP's groundbreaking projects even further.
“We have Autism Works, we have empowerment, we have more projects that I'm very much excited to share with all of you throughout my journey, using my platform, both off-cam, in front of the camera, especially now approaching El Salvador. I am fully committed and also very ready and dedicated to champion this cause,” she proclaimed.
This contract signing with the ASP follows Michelle's launch of the Global Spectrum Initiative, a non-government organization she founded “to provide opportunities for individuals on the spectrum”. Among the organizations Board of Directors is GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group and CEO of GMA Films Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdez.
The Global Spectrum Initiative comes after multiple meetings Michelle has had with the ASP. Back in July, Michelle posted a photo on her Instagram account with the caption promising a lot of amazing things in store for the Autism Society of the Philippines. She also shared her happiness at playing a role in making the country a more “Autism Accepting and Inclusive Nation.”
Michelle also met with the organization in June, holding in at Pancake House, Magallanes, which employs people on the autism spectrum as part of the Autism Works Campaign of the Autism Society of the Philippines.
Michelle has also taken part in the Autism Society Philippines' Angels Walk, even posting multiple photos and a couple of videos on her Instagram account.
During the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, Michelle made sure that her autism awareness advocacy was also part of her Runway Challenge look, with a weave made out of different shades of green, red, and yellow which are the global and national colors for autism awareness.
