DOT taps Michelle Dee as Philippine tourism ambassador

MANILA, Philippines — Almost two weeks since she represented the Philippines on the Miss Universe stage, Philippine bet Michelle Marquez Dee has been tapped as the country’s tourism ambassador by the Department of Tourism.

Dee paid a courtesy call to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco at the DOT’s Central Office in Makati City on Friday morning where she was also invited to be a tourism ambassador of the Philippines.

DOT chief Christina Frasco thanked Michelle Dee (@michellemdee) for carrying the ‘Love the Philippines’ slogan on the Miss Universe stage. She has also been invited to be the country’s tourism ambassador. @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/vAbghjXDbC

“Thank you for the honor that you have bestowed upon all Filipinos by carrying the flag of the Philippines so excellently, and by declaring to the world your love for the Philippines and reminding the world of the many reasons to love the Philippines. On behalf of the Department of Tourism, I would like to extend my gratitude for your support for Philippine tourism as well as for carrying Love the Philippines. I extend to you my invitation for you to continue to be an ambassador of tourism for our country,” Frasco said

“It's not new because you have already acted as our tourism ambassador through your representation of the country in Miss Universe. So, we certainly hope that there are more opportunities for us to collaborate, to push forward the aspirations of our President for tourism in the country,” she added.

Dee responded that she is "excited, humbled and honored," for the love and support she is receiving.

In an interview with the press, the beauty queen said that she will take on the tourism ambassador role seriously, citing that her platform is something that she "won't take lightly."

"My purpose was every time I step on the stage, may dinadala akong story. There's something that I want reflected not just for myself but for the whole country. And, the fact that that can expand after the coronation, I can still continue to work on what I started on that stage and now bring it to the Philippines. And even despite natapos na yung competition, tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung promotion," Dee said. 

"I will pour