THE House of Representatives on Tuesday night adopted a resolution congratulating and commending Michelle Dee for her Miss Universe performance and for her appointment as a Philippine tourism ambassador by the Department of Tourism.

House Resolution (HR) No. 1493, approved by a majority of members of the bigger chamber, was introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, and Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude A. Acidre, and Samuel S. Verzosa Jr.

“Ms. Dee made us all proud with her beauty, brains and composure during the last Miss Universe pageant. And I am very grateful that she was appointed as tourism ambassador because she personifies everything that makes the Philippines such a breathtaking country to visit,” said Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.

Dee is the crowned Miss Universe Philippines for 2023 and she proudly represented the country during the 72nd Miss Universe Pageant held at the Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador.

“Ms. Dee’s masterful execution of grace and elegance on the prestigious international stage showcased Filipino culture and heritage through her pageant outfits, such as her evening gown, which paid tribute to the country’s living legend and traditional tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od, and her national costume where she donned an aviation-inspired ensemble to honor her role as an Air Force reservist … “ the resolution read.

According to the resolution, her incredible performance as Miss Universe Philippines 2023 came from her vast experience in joining previous beauty competitions where she was crowned as Miss World Philippines in 2019 and represented the Philippines in the Miss World Competition at ExCeL in London, England where she finished in the top 12.

“Almost two weeks after she represented the Philippines to the Miss Universe stage, the Department of Tourism appointed her as the new Philippine Tourism Ambassador, in recognition of her immense contribution to the country’s tourism sector and for carrying the flag of the Philippines so excellently, declaring to the world her love for the Philippines and reminding the world of the many reasons to love the Philippines,” it said.

“Apart from being a tourism ambassador, the DoT also invited Miss Dee to join the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), the Department’s new promotional project that highlights the country’s rich heritage, arts, and culture through a series of regional caravans,” it added.

Dee is also an advocate for autism awareness and mental health since she was 16 years old and was named Goodwill Ambassador of the Autism Society of the Philippines in 2020. She has been working with the Center for Possibilities Incorporation, a foundation that helps and cares for children with special needs.

“And in her Miss Universe 2023 campaign, she highlighted her deep social awareness, empathy and compassion for the plight of people with special needs by championing autism acceptance, inclusivity, and empowerment, and the United Nations’ sustainable development goal of creating opportunities for all,” the resolution stated.

Before joining the beauty pageant scene, Dee graduated from the De La Salle University – Manila in 2017, with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology and completed her certificate program in Entrepreneurship Essentials from the Harvard Business School in 2019.

“Miss Dee had been into modeling, hosting and acting, and starred in some television series, including ‘Mga Lihim ni Urduja,’ ‘Agimat ng Agila,’ and ‘I Left my Heart in Sorsogon,’ and the movie ‘Because I Love You’ where she won the Best New Movie Actress in the 36th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies,” the resolution continued.

“Miss Dee’s incredible willpower and dedication to promote Philippine tourism to the world and bring honor to the country have earned the respect and admiration of the entire Filipino nation and are indeed worthy of emulation.”

A copy of the resolution will be given to Dee.