Max Collins admitted she was one of those who were not in favor of Michelle Dee rejoining the Miss Universe Philippines after witnessing the stress the PH bet was under while juggling the pageantry and acting.
Sitting down on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on Wednesday, Jan. 31, the friendship trio of Rhian Ramos, Collins and Dee were asked if there was any opposition for Dee to join the pageant.
“Ako kumontra ako because at the time I could see that she’s so stressed baka it’s not, kasi pinagsabay niya ‘yung show at the same time ‘yung pageant, so sabi ko I feel like kailangan mo mamili. Hindi pwedeng dalawa, that was my two cents. Nagkamali ako,” said Collins.
(I was against it because at the time I could see the stress she was under as she was doing both a TV show and the competition, so I said, “You have to choose one because you cannot do both,” That was my two cents, but I was proven wrong.)
Dee then justified the sentiment of Collins, noting that it’s not just her who was against her decision to compete again but also other friends who were aware of the heartache she went through losing the first time.
“They witnessed the struggle and the heartbreak that I went through from the previous year when I didn’t bring home the crown so of course out of their love for me. It wasn’t just Max who were making me second-guess my desire to join again, but a lot of people who were important to me, like I trust the opinion of, we’re really making me think twice,” explained the 2023 Miss Universe PH representative.
Dee previously won Miss World Philippines 2019 and represented the country at the Miss World 2019 pageant in London, where she finished in the top 12.
In 2023, she represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2023 competition in El Salvador, where she placed in the Top 10 and won four special awards.
Opinions on each other’s love life
Aside from career, the trio also shared that when it comes to love life or relationships, they usually let each other decide on their own, unless someone is already hurt and they might need to step in.
“I think we only say something if we are asked. Usually, we allow naman each other, because we trust naman each other’s [decision],” said Ramos.
“Hindi kami nakikialam, unless we are asked. And also, unless we see someone is getting like hurt na [and] then papasok na,” added Collins.
