Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee has a preference for having a son rather than a daughter.

Michelle did not give a reason for her preference, but she values having a son more than having a daughter.

The Filipino-Chinese made the revelation during her visit to the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. in Binondo, Manila recently.

An official of the FFCCCII asked Michelle if she would encourage her daughter to join beauty pageants. The beauty queen said: "If I am blessed with a daughter, just like my mother, I won't force her to follow in my footsteps. But if the path that she chooses, then I will support her 100 percent. But I do hope for a son."

Michelle is the daughter of former Miss International Melanie Marquez. In November, Michelle finished in the top 10 of the 72nd Miss Universe Competition in El Salvador.

Last Dec. 28, the FFCCCII recognized Michelle for her achievements and for proudly embracing her Chinese heritage while contributing to the progress of the Philippines.

"We take immense pride in celebrating the accomplishments of Michelle, who is the granddaughter of our Federation's former Vice President and the late Chinabank Chairman Dee K. Chiong. Another past Vice President of our Federation was also her granduncle, the late civic leader Dee Hong Lue," said FFCCCII President Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro in his speech in Binondo, Manila.

Michelle's late granduncle, pre-war Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce President and 1920 China Bank founder Dee C. Chua, as well as her paternal great-great-granduncle, the 19th-century Philippine lumber industry pioneer entrepreneur and civic leader Dy Han Kia, were also known for their philanthropy.

FFCCCII Vice President Jeffrey Ng also lauded Michelle for her accomplishments.