SAN JUAN, La Union – Beauty queen-actress Michelle Dee surprised her mother Melanie Marquez with a copy of the original crown the latter won for Miss International nearly 50 years ago.
Michelle shared on Instagram a video of her gifting Melanie the crown replica, put together with the help of Miss Universe Philippines executive Voltaire Tayag.
“Korona nga?! Korona ko?! Paano niyo nakuha?!” Melanie exclaimed upon unwrapping the box with the crown. “Ang ganda naman nito.”
Melanie was named Miss International 1979 when she was just 15 years old, the youngest winner in the pageant’s history, but her crown was stolen many years ago.
The mother and daughter held an impromptu photoshoot inside a vehicle as Melanie wore her “new” crown, which Michelle said was likely fluffier than the original.
Melanie, who turned 61 years old last July 16, was the third Filipina to be crowned Miss International after Gemma Cruz in 1964 and Aurora Pijuan in 1979.
She has since been succeeded by three Filipina winners: Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005, Bea Rose Santiago in 2013 and Kylie Verzosa in 2016.
Michelle, meanwhile, represented the Philippines in Miss Universe 2023 where she finished in the Top 10 and won several special awards, including Best National Costume and the Fan Vote award.
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