Malaki ang panghihinayang ni Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee na hindi siya umabot ng Top 5 sa kakatapos lamang na Miss Universe 2023.
Read: PH bet Michelle Dee fails to enter Top 5 of Miss Universe 2023
Ayon kay Michelle, ginawa niya ang lahat para maibigay ang patok na laban, pero "destiny" daw talaga ni Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios ang korona sa edisyong ito ng prestigious pageant.
Read: Who is Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios?
Pahayag niya kay Dyan Castillejo ng ABS-CBN News na lumabas sa YouTube Channel ng Kapamilya Network kagabi, November 19, 2023, "But of course, ultimately, it was Nicaragua's destiny.
"She's an amazing woman. So, I mean, on to bigger things, of course."
Read: Miss Nicaragua crowned Miss Universe 2023; Michelle Dee reaches Top 10
Dagdag pa ni Michelle sa kanyang Miss Universe 2023 coronation night experience, "It felt amazing. It felt like home. You know, I love putting on a show.
"But most especially, I love just making all of my countrymen so proud.
"And kita niyo naman, talagang binigay ko talaga lahat.
"Everything that I could afford to give, I lifted it on that stage.
"And ultimately, I just left it to destiny.
"Of course, it's not the result that we wanted.
"But I know, as long as all of you are proud, as long as all of you saw the hard work and dedication that was made behind it, not just for myself, but the whole team behind me as well, that's enough for me.
"And ultimately, I hope you all are happy."
Read: Michelle Dee advances to Miss Universe 2023 Top 10
Ano naman ang masasabi niya na isa siya sa pinalakpakan sa live show, taliwas sa nangyari sa kanya noong preliminaries?
Sabi niya, "Nagulat ako, siyempre, kasi hindi ganun kalakas nung during the prelims.
"But of course, when I announced my name, I saw all of the Philippine flags in the audience.
"It is so heartwarming to see all of the Filipinos come together to support the country that we love.
"It is all about bayanihan, and we really showed the universe what we had to offer."
Read: Michelle Dee reacts to not getting the "loudest cheers" at Miss Universe 2023
Gayunpaman, mababanaag pa rin kay Michelle na nanghihinayang siyang hindi nakaabot sa question-and-answer portion matapos hindi mapasama sa Top 5.
Tinagurian kasi siya ng fans na "nagmu-mukbang ng mic."
Aniya pa, "Sayang hindi ako nakahawak ng mic.
"But if anything, just know that I was training the whole year to make sure that if ever I had that moment, walang butas.
"But again, it's all about destiny."
Umabot naman sa Top 3 ang BFF ni Michelle na si Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild.
Pero bigo rin siyang makuha ang korona dahil itinanghal lamang siyang first runner-up.