November 19, 2023 | 11:09am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ own Michelle Dee exits the Miss Universe 2023 competition held in El Salvador at the Top 10.

Michelle’s finish marks the Philippines’ return to the semifinals after her predecessor Celeste Cortesi ended the country’s 12-year streak of progressing out of the initial round.

The 12-year streak included two coronations, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015 and Catriona Gray in 2018.

Continuing to the Top 5 and Question & Answer portion are Australia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Colombia.

Colombia’s Camila Avella is the first mother to make it to the Question & Answer portion.

Just missing the Top 5 with Michelle were representatives with from Peru, Venezuela, Spain, and host nation El Salvador.

Exiting at the Top 20 were contestants from Namibia, Venezuela, India, Chile, Jamaica, USA, Nepal, Cameroon, Pakistan, Portugal, and South Africa.

Portugal’s Marina Machete made history as the first transwoman to progress to the Miss Universe semifinals, while Erica Robin is Pakistan’s first-ever candidate.

This is the first Miss Universe in Central America since it was last held in Panama in 2003, and the first in El Salvador since 1975.

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