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Michelle Dee Talks About Her Autism Inclusivity, Acceptance, and Empowerment Advocacy In Time for the ASP Angels Walk for Autism

Michelle Dee Talks About Her Autism Inclusivity, Acceptance, and Empowerment Advocacy in Time for the ASP Angels Walk for Autism

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<p>Miss Universe Philippines 2023 <strong>Michelle Marquez Dee</strong> has been the goodwill ambassador of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/autismphils/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Autism Society Philippines</strong></a> (ASP), Southeast Asia&#x27;s largest autism NGO, since 2016. With two brothers on the autism spectrum, Adam and Mazenne, Michelle has been using her platform to champion her advocacy of autism acceptance, inclusivity, and empowerment. </p><p>When she represented the Philippines in Miss Universe 2023, it was a no-brainer for her to introduce and amplify this advocacy in the pageant&#x27;s <strong>Voice for Change</strong> award<strong></strong>, where candidates were given the chance to share the causes they champion through a three-minute video. </p><p>In the said video, which she worked on in collaboration with ASP, Michelle shared that &quot;1 in every 100 children is born with autism.&quot; &quot;This family—my family—has dedicated its mission to empowering and supporting individuals with autism along with their families,&quot; she continued, highlighting the efforts of ASP in helping provide jobs for neurodiverse individuals, creating sustainable careers for them, and harnessing their untapped potential.</p><p>Michelle was one of the three Gold winners of Voice for Change, and the award came with a $12,000 (Php684,000) cash prize for her chosen charity, ASP. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cyzdipsy9d8/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A12228573.099999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DANAoiny9Lv/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A12663242.299999982%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>This year, she is reaffirming her commitment to this advocacy through initiatives like the annual<strong> Angels Walk for Autism, </strong>which will take place in SM Mall of Asia Arena tomorrow, May 18, 2025. The Angels Walk for Autism has been around since 2000. During the press launch of this year&#x27;s gathering—which, as of yesterday, already had a record-breaking number of almost 28,000 registered participants—Michelle talked further about why this advocacy still matters to her. </p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s no question that this is a lifetime mission for myself,&quot; the beauty queen and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DILSN-9SLRy/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&quot;Reyna&quot; hitmaker</a> began. &quot;Every time I stand here on behalf of the Autism Society Philippines, I&#x27;m reminded that this is about the community that I serve. This is about my purpose. This is about my family and the families that have to go through this every single day. They have to be heard. They need to be seen, and also, they need support now more than ever. </p><p>&quot;So, <em>alam niyo naman</em>,<em></em> I&#x27;ve been here since 2016, I&#x27;ve stood here in front of all of you very many times, but today, we&#x27;re much farther, much louder, and much prouder than ever before. Whenever I think about how far we&#x27;ve gone and the first time that I met ASP in their headquarters in Quezon City, <em>grabe</em>! <em>Grabe</em> how far we&#x27;ve come since that day when I had long hair tied up in a ponytail <em>pa</em>, and I was with my two siblings, my mom was also present, and I had no idea how much we would explode by working together. And this isn&#x27;t just because of me, this is because of all of you. All of you that&#x27;s championing for us, all of you [who] understands that a small question and a small tweak in our perspective on how to understand goes a long, long way.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m just happy to be where I should be. I treat Autism Society Philippines as my home, and I know thousands of families and individuals treat it as their home as well... This Angels Walk is not just a sign of strength, but it&#x27;s also to show the whole Philippines and the world how much farther we can go. It&#x27;s not just about strength in numbers, it&#x27;s also about strength in purpose.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6EKcIzyiGi/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A13538249.400000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="855" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrZeiNPsIsv/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A13506736.900000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The annual Angels Walk for Autism is organized by the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) in partnership with <strong>SM Cares</strong>. It aims to shine a spotlight on the profound significance of art in the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum.</p><p>This year&#x27;s theme, “<strong>Mahusay. Masaya. Makulay</strong>,” reflects how the <strong>ASP ARTismo program</strong> gives artists on the autism spectrum an avenue for self-expression, communication, sensory exploration, and most significantly, economic empowerment.</p><p>Michelle will make a special appearance at the event, which will also be graced by celebrity allies Gellie de Belen, Janice de Belen, Pepe Herrera, Kai Montinola, Candy Pangilinan, Jade Riccio, SAB, LA Santos, Carmina Villarroel, Vivoree, and the NU Dance Crew. This year&#x27;s vibrant talent showcase demonstrates how art serves as an integral language for self-expression, communication, and sensory exploration for persons on the autism spectrum. Performers on the spectrum, who will showcase their talent onstage, include Quentin Alvarado, Danica Escasinas, Peggy Geiser, Grey Roxas, Cid Tampo, A-Pop Boys, ILLC All-Star Crew, and Splendio Tritus. </p><p>The gates open at 7:00 a.m., and the program starts at 8:00 a.m. The walk will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and conclude at the MOA Music Hall by 11:00 a.m. This walk, participated in by the autism community and its growing circle of allies, symbolizes ASP&#x27;s unified journey towards a more inclusive future of an &quot;Autism-OK Philippines&quot; where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.</p><div><em><strong>Get your free tickets to ASP Angels Walk for Autism 2025 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/asp-angels-walk-for-autism-2025-tickets-1224360086979?utm-campaign=social&amp;utm-content=attendeeshare&amp;utm-medium=discovery&amp;utm-term=listing&amp;utm-source=cp&amp;aff=ebdsshcopyurl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></em></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from<strong> @michelledee</strong></p>

<p>"This is a lifetime mission for myself," Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee declared, reaffirming her commitment to championing autism acceptance, inclusivity, and empowerment. </p>

"This is a lifetime mission for myself," Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee declared, reaffirming her commitment to championing autism acceptance, inclusivity, and empowerment.

'Strength in Purpose'—Michelle Dee Talks About Her Lifelong Advocacy in Time for ASP Angels Walk for Autism 2025

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'Strength in Purpose'—Michelle Dee Talks About Her Lifelong Advocacy in Time for ASP Angels Walk for Autism 2025

Grace Libero

Published May 17, 2025 11:00 AM PHT

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Updated May 17, 2025 12:54 PM PHT

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Michelle Dee

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