Michelle Dee pays tribute to Apo Whang-od in Miss Universe pageant

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The answer to the ‘Filipina icon’ from whom the gown worn by Philippine bet Michelle Dee drew inspiration was revealed during the evening gown competition of the Miss Universe 2023 grand coronation night held Saturday, November 18, in El Salvador.

In her previous interviews, Philippine bet Michelle Dee said that her gown was inspired by a ‘Filipino icon’.

It turned out Kalinga’s pride, dubbed the country’s oldest 'mambabatok', Apo Whang-od, is the icon Dee had been mentioning in her interviews.

Dee wore a black, sheer, nude evening gown covered with intricate tattoo motifs during the segment.

"A tribute to a legendary Filipina who has become an icon, preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous tattoo art. She has achieved global recognition and symbolizes timeless beauty, coinciding with Miss Universe lifting its age restrictions and championing inclusivity and challenging age stereotypes,” Dee wrote in her Instagram post.

“A true icon and the last of her kind, a symbol of bravery, beauty, and inclusivity... Whang Od,” she added.

Apo Whang-od is well-known for her tattooing skills using a razor-sharp thorn and thick black ink, and her designs represent the tribal community of the yKalingas. She is also frequented by domestic and foreign tourists, aiding in the tourism industry of the province.

To recall, Tinglayan, which serves as a home for the internationally-known tattoo artist, has been one of the most visited municipalities in Kalinga through the years with her presence alone.

Meanwhile, while she slayed the evening gown segment, Dee was unable to advance to the next round of the competition blocking her chance to get the Miss Universe 2023 crown.

This year’s Miss Universe is Sheynnis Palacios Cornejo of Nicaragua. She is said to be the first Miss Universe winner from her country.

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