Newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee does not only possess beauty and brains, but also a familial bond to some of the most successful members of the Filipino-Chinese community.
Dee is well-connected in the Filipino-Chinese business community, being the granddaughter of the late China Banking Corp. Chairman Dee K. Chiong, who was once a vice president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).
The 28-year-old daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez counts Metrobank President Fabian Dee, former China Bank President and Director Peter SyCip Dee, and Kamuning Bakery Cafe owner Wilson Lee Flores as her paternal cousins.
She is also related by blood to topnotch cardiologist Dr. Dy Bun Yok, NutriAsia, Inc. CEO Joselito “Butch” Dee Campos, and to United Laboratories, Inc. (Unilab) Chairman Jocelyn Dee Campos Hess, and to Ayala Land President Bobby Dy.
Dee, who won the Miss World Philippines title in 2012, will represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant to be held later this year in El Salvador.