After almost a year of waiting, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee will finally be awarded her prize for the Voice for Change (VFC) award, which she won as part of the competition.
The accolade, which highlights beauty queens’ advocacy work in their home countries, will be presented to Michelle with funds benefiting the Autism Society Philippines (ASP), where she is currently serving as an ambassador.
The Voice for Change award, a Miss Universe initiative, encourages candidates to share their causes and support various sectors in their respective societies.
She is one of three winners of the award, alongside Miss Universe Angola Anna Coimbra and Miss Universe Puerto Rico Karla Acevedo, all of whom were recognized during the Miss Universe 2023 finals held on November 19, 2023, in El Salvador.
Dee, a long-time advocate for the autism community, dedicated her win to this sector, promising to donate the cash prize to the organization.
Each of the winners was set to receive a cash prize of US$12,000, roughly PHP660,000 based on the exchange rate of PHP55 to USD. However, it was revealed that as of this September 2024, Michelle has yet to receive the funds.
In a recent post on her Instagram Broadcast Channel on September 16, she expressed her frustration about the delay, emphasizing how significant the prize would be for the cause she supports.
“The Voice for Change Award was undoubtedly one of the most important and THE MOST personal award to encompass my journey,” Michelle shared.
She went on to highlight her deep connection to the autism community through her brothers, who are on the autism spectrum, and her long-standing advocacy even before her pageant career.
Despite the delay, Michelle remained hopeful, stating, “At present, I’m still waiting for the release of the VFC award and I’m hoping that they do before the next set of winners.”
In response to Dee’s post, the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organization issued a statement on Tuesday, explaining the situation and confirming that the prize money will finally be given to the Autism Society Philippines within the week.
According to MUPH, the delay was due to “communication processes” within their organization, not the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).
“We are excited that this week Michelle Marquez Dee will go to the Autism Society of the Philippines to present her Voice for Change award. Even after her Miss Universe stint, MMD remains a staunch ally of her advocacy,” MUPH said in a statement.
They also praised Michelle’s unwavering commitment to her causes, calling her “a real Queen.”
MUPH expressed gratitude to Michelle and the ASP for amplifying awareness about autism and thanked the Miss Universe Organization for empowering women through the platform.
“Thank you to the Miss Universe Organization for amplifying the voices of women around the world. This clearly demonstrates that MUO practices what it preaches on the cause of Women Empowerment,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Michelle has since reacted to finally receiving the award in an Instagram story.
“Excited for everything this award can set into motion with @AUTISMPHILS!” she wrote.
