Ibinahagi ni Michelle Dee ang ilang eksena sa backstage at kaba na naramdaman ng ilang kandidata sa Miss Universe Philippines 2023, lalo na nang magkaroon ng "technical difficulties," at binawi ang anunsyo ng Top 10 finalists.
Sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” inilarawan ni Michelle na “crazy” ang eksena sa backstage para sa mga kandidata bago magsimula ang paligsahan.
“There were production people screaming like five minutes to go, the girls were still dressing up, going back and forth from the glam room to the dressing room, to the standby area. And I was just like, ‘cause one of the things that, for lack of a better term, sabotaged my performance last year, is I let that chaos get to my head,” kuwento ni Michelle.
“But this year, I was like, I am not gonna be fazed, I am aware of the time, I am aware what time the show starts, so I’m just gonna remain composed, not let anything affect my energy right now. I was just as calm as a feather,” sabi niya.
Pagka-anunsyo sa Top 10, nagkaroon ng "technical difficulties" kaya ibinalik ang Top 18.
“Well I can’t speak on behalf of the other girls. A lot of the girls had mixed emotions. Siyempre the girls that didn’t make the Top 10 were relieved, ‘Okay this is another chance.’ Girls that did make the Top 10, ‘Oh my gosh! Ano na ang mangyayari?,’” saad niya.
Sa kabila ng nangyari, nanatiling kalmado si Michelle at nagdasal.
“On my end, like I said earlier, I was as calm as a feather. I wouldn’t let any of these technical difficulties affect me. I was in my own corner, I was just, for some reason, it was like divine intervention somehow. Because before the show, I prayed. I was like ‘Lord…’” anang beauty queen.
Patuloy niya, “I was like ‘Lord, I know that you made me go through all of this, for this moment. Please give me the strength and the calmness to just consume the energy of the arena and make the most of this night.”
Sa halip na muling ianunsyo ang Top 10, dumiretso na sa pag-anunsyo ng Top 5, at si Michelle ang huling tinawag.
“Of course I was so confident with myself that I knew that it had to be me. And then I was having this mental debate. Because I looked to my left and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, there’s so many strong contenders to my left. There’s so many strong contenders to my right. Anything could happen,” saad ni Michalle.
“I never discredited the girls because they were so amazing,” saad niya.
Sa kabila ng pangamba, muli niyang idinulog ito sa Itaas.
“I just prayed once again. I think I was closing my eyes for most of the part. Just like praying and hoping that destiny aligned with me and was with me. And then they called Makati and I was just … Makakahinga. On to the next round,” kuwento ni Michelle.
Pagkatapos manalo, kinumusta ni Tito Boy si Michelle tungkol sa kaniyang pakiramdam na siya ang Miss Universe Philippines 2023.
“I am over the moon! It still feels surreal because right after coronation night we started media week right away. So I still haven’t gotten the time to sit still and just accept everything that’s happening. I’m still like on the move 24/7 but I can’t believe I pulled it off, I can’t believe I am wearing the Philippine crown again,” ayon sa bagong Miss Universe Philippines. --FRJ, GMA Integrated News
