Sheynnis Palacios, hailing from Nicaragua, was crowned Miss Universe 2023 on Sunday (Saturday in El Salvador), marking a historic moment for her country. She succeeded R’Bonney Nola Gabriel of the United States.
The 1st runner-up position went to Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, while Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson, claimed the title of 2nd runner-up.
During the final Q&A round, all three top finalists responded to the same question: “If you could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who would you choose and why?” Through an interpreter, the 23-year-old Palacios chose Mary Wollstonecraft, emphasizing Wollstonecraft’s role in opening opportunities for women.
Palacios expressed her desire to bridge the income gap, allowing women to work in any field of their choice without limitations. She highlighted the progress from 1750 to 2023, stating, “Now in 2023, we’re making history.”
Palacios, a model and community developer, had previously represented Nicaragua at the Miss World 2021 pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 16, 2022, securing a place in the Top 40.
Meanwhile, the country’s bet Michelle Dee, the country’s representative in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, concluded her journey in the prestigious competition by securing a coveted spot in the Top 10 during the finals held in El Salvador on Sunday.
Hailing from Makati, the 28-year-old beauty queen was the sixth candidate announced for the Top 10, showcasing her grace and poise on the international stage. Despite a strong performance, she narrowly missed advancing to the Top 5. The finalists proceeding to the next round of competition include representatives from Australia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Colombia.
Michelle Dee’s presence in the Top 10 marks a significant achievement for the Philippines, as the country makes a strong comeback to the semifinal round after last year’s early exit, which was the first since 2010.
In addition to her commendable overall performance, Dee earned recognition as one of the Gold winners in the pageant’s “Voice for Change” category. Alongside candidates from Angola and Puerto Rico, she championed the cause of autism acceptance, inclusivity, and empowerment.
The Philippines, home to four Miss Universe titleholders—Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018)—continues to make its mark on the global stage of beauty pageantry through Michelle Dee’s admirable representation and advocacy.
(JR AMIGO/ai/mnm)