MICHELLE DEE was our country’s representative to Miss World in 2019 and made it as a semi-finalist.
She went into acting after that but her supporters are now urging her to join Miss Universe Philippines this time. It’s scheduled to be held on April 30.
“If ever I’d join a pageant again, it has to be now as I’m already 26 years old, so it’s now or never,” she says.
“I’m so happy and thankful for the encouraging messages I got from friends like Heart Evangelista, Megan Young and Lovi Poe who all said Go, Girl. So ayun, pinalakas nila ang loob ko.”
After playing the role of Hazel in the recently concluded “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon”, she’s now back reprising her role as the villain Serpenta in “Agimat ng Agila, Season 2”.
“I’m really thankful hindi ako matagal nabakante,” she says.
“I’ll never forget doing ‘Sorsogon’ as I have made many friends while we were taping on location in Bicol. And now, balik naman ako sa ‘Agimat ng Agila’.”
Didn’t she have second thoughts when the role of Serpenta was offered to her in the first season?
“No, like I said, acting has become my passion and when they offered me Serpenta, I was excited to play such a powerful character. She is so different from anything I’ve done before. I’m glad it gave me the chance to shine and I’m now so thankful.”
How is it working with Sen. Bong Revilla?
“He is so good, so helpful. He bonds with us sa lock in taping. Sabay-sabay kaming kumakain. He reaches out to you kaya maganda ang working relationship niya with all of us. I’m really happy to be given the chance to work with him.”
How did she choose to interpret the scary Serpenta character?
“Our director, Rico Gutierrez, gave me the freedom to explore and develop the character on my own. I ask for advice from him and from Sen. Bong and they also shared their ideas with me.
"Serpenta is such an iconic antagonist, a mythical creature with powers, and I’m grateful akong napiling gumanap sa kanya.”
What is the reaction of her mom, former Miss International Melanie Marquez, about her acting?
“My mom really monitors all my shows at lagi siyang may sinasabi about my performance. She can be my worst critic but with Serpenta, she’s very pleased sa naging atake ko sa role ko. Very effective daw so I’m happy na nagustuhan niya.”
Some beauty queens have no qualms about doing sexy roles in skin flicks. How about her? Will she be willing to disrobe for the camera?
“I don’t really mind doing films that will require me to show some skin. Basta as long as the story and the director’s treatment can justify the act of going sexy, I can consider it.
"Pero depende talaga yan sa material at sa writing and who’ll direct it. Kasi hindi naman ako basta tanggap lang ng tanggap ng project. More than anything else, kailangan pasok siya sa standards ko, then I will be open to do it.”
