BINIGYANG parangal ng Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc (FFCCCII) ang Miss Universe of the Philippines 2023 at artistang si Michelle Dee.
Si Dee ay nakapasok sa top 10 sa katatapos pa lamang na Miss Universe pageant sa El Salvador ng November 18,2023.Ang plaque of appreciation ay ibinigay kay Dee ng mga negosyanteng Filipino- Chinese sa kanilang headquarters sa Manila nitong Disyembre 28 bilang simbolo ng kanilang pagmamalaki na ang Filipino-Chinese community ay nirepresenta ni Dee sa katatapos pa lamang na beauty pageant.
Si Dee ay apo ng Filipino-Chinese at dating chairman ng China Banking Corporation na si Dee Chiong.Siya ay anak din ng Filipino -Chinese action star na si Derek Dee.
“ lWe take immense pride in celebrating the accomplishments” of Dee, who is the granddaughter of the federation’s former vice president, philanthropist and the late Chinabank Chairman Dee K. Chiong. She is also the grandniece of former FFCCCII vice president and the late civic leader Dee Hong Lue, “sabi ni Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro,presidente ng FFCCCII.
“We gather to recognize and applaud the outstanding achievements of our distinguished guest of honor,Ms.Michelle Dee who has brought immense pride to the Filipino Chinese community and our Federation.Ms. Dee’s connection to our community runs deep, with her late grandfather ,Dee K. Chiong, serving as Vice-President of our Federation and contributing significantly as a philanthropist within our community, actively participating in various cultural and civic organizations,”sabi ni Pedro.
“In her role as Miss Universe Philippines, Ms. Dee has not only exemplified grace and poise but has served as commendable ambassador, representing our nation with distinction on the global stage,”dagdag ni Pedro.
“Beyond her achievements in the pageant world, we also acknowledge and honor Ms.Dee for her dedication to various civic advocacies. Her roles as a goodwill ambassador of the Philippinesand her recent appointment by the Department of Tourism as Tourism ambassador of the Philippines highlight her commitment to making a positive impact.Additionally,we commend her entrpeneural spirit, artistic talents, and the values she embodies,”ayon pa rito.
Sinabi ni Pedro na ang mga recognition at awards tulad ng parangal na kanilang iginawad kay Dee ay napakahalaga upang magsilbing inspirasyon sa mga miyembro ng kanilang Filipino-Chinese community.
“Michelle embodies the values of what I describe in Filipino as ‘Dugong Tsino, Pusong Pinoy,’ cherishing her ethnic Chinese heritage while being an exemplary Filipino citizen contributing to Philippine progress,” ang sabi ni Pedro sa kanyang mensahe.
Sinabi ni Pedro na kanilang ipinagmamalaki ang pagpapatuloy ni Dee sa legasiya ng kanilang pamilya sa philatrophy o pagkakawanggawa.
Ang lolo ni Dee ay naging presidente ng Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce ng prewar ng 1920, may ari at Founder ng China Bank na si Dee C. Chuan.Ang kanya namang “great-great uncle” sa angkan ng kanyang lolo ng 19th-century ay isang Philippine lumber industry pioneer entrepreneur and civic leader na si Dy Han Kia, na kilala rin umano sa larangan ng serbisyo publiko.
“Michelle’s years of hard work have paid off, making her an inspiration to our youth. We hope that Michelle will continue to share her talents and lend a helping hand to our fellow Filipinos, especially our underprivileged brothers and sisters who have less in life,”sabi ni Pedro.
Ayon naman kay Dee, ang serbisyo publiko ay bahagi ng kanilang angkan kung kaya ito ay kanyang ipinagpapatuloy sa kanyang mga aktibidad.
“What I can say about the Dee family, for whatever we plan — and this is consistent to all of us — whatever we do, we really aim to serve. We really aim to implant and do whatever we can that the Philippines becomes better, whether through small or big endeavors,” sabi nito.
“My advocacy is all about making the world a better place… also to utilize any platform I’ve built to creative a positive impact in the world,” dagdag ni Dee. Ma.Luisa Macabuhay-Garcia