Notes on the 2011 Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant
Shamcey Supsup does not have a glamorous-sounding surname but that didn't seem to matter to the board of judges who chose her as Miss Universe-Philippines 2011 in a beauty pageant. that ran for close to four hours at the Araneta Coliseum. It also helped that she graduated magna cum laude in Architecture from the University of the Philippines and was a topnotcher in the 2010 Architect Licensure Exam. Talk about beauty and brains!
When Shamcey's victory was announced, it was actually anti-climactic as she had already won three special awards (Miss Talent, Miss Philippine Airlines and Miss Creamsilk) before the top 15 candidates were revealed.
During the question and answer portion, Dianne Necio was asked what her goal was for the next 12 months. Dianne's reply: to win one of the three titles. She did reach her goal that evening as she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International, proving the adage "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again." She was also in last year's competition where she emerged first runner-up.
Internet fault finders were probably disappointed when there was no major faux pas during the Q and A portion. The candidates were able to answer sensibly and there were no embarrassing moments.
Some slips of the tongue that caught my attention:. Luzelle Felipe, when asked what she would say in a letter to the President, said she would ask him to listen to the people, adding "I believe that people is the government and so the government is the people." Isabella Manjon, who won as Binibining Pilipinas Tourism said, "A man can do the job of a woman. God made us all equally (sic) and if we are all equal, we can also do anything with God's grace." Kristina Marasigan missed the point of the question "what incident in the world would you change?" She said she wouldn't change anything because we learn from our experience and become better persons
If there were a Miss Q and A, that title should go to Janine Tugonon, first runner-up winner. Asked what major lesson men can learn from women, she said: "Love unconditionally. Women are able to touch the lives (of) and be of service to others. Men must realize that at the end of the journey, what matters is not our own happiness but how we are able to serve others. Our existence would be worthless if we haven't done anything for humanity."
Shamcey didn't do so badly either. As a worthy cause, she chose education because unlike money and fame, it is something that cannot be taken away from you.
The award for Miss Overconfident should go to Mary Jean Lastimosa who said, "I am one of the stars in the universe and I'm the brightest of them all." The judges didn't agree with her as she only won as 2nd runner-up. She looked disappointed when 2010 2nd runner up Nicolette Henson presented her award.
God was a popular name to drop for the contestants. Queenierich Rehman chose Him as her personal hero. Kathleen Sobejano finds peace of mind when she meditates and listens to the Almighty. Sarah Nicole Clenci would not change any of her traits because "God created me the way I am."
Luzelle, who caught media's attention because of her job as a tricycle driver, did not place in the top five but made it to the Top 15. What's more, she won the Manila Bulletin Reader's Choice award and more importantly, adjudged Best in Evening Gown. That's amazing!
Miriam Quiambao, first runner in the 1999 Miss Universe pageant and Precious Lara Quigaman, 2005 Miss International, joined KC Concepcion and Derek Ramsey in hosting the show. Miriam was her usual competent self while Lara seemed to falter in some of her spiels. KC and Derek were brilliant when they were reading from the teleprompter or note cards but were less impressive when they tried adlibbing. Derek even mixed up his line when he said, "The winner of the 2011 Bb Pilipinas Tourism goes to..."
Instead of having the 40 candidates introduce themselves onstage, ABS-CBN produced a dazzling visual presentation of the bikini-clad Binibinis in various settings. That certainly whetted the appetite of viewers for the rest of the show. Overall, it was an entertaining production. Director Johnny Manahan displayed once again his brilliance at covering live events.
The nation now looks forward to the Miss Universe happening on Sept. 12, 2011 to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil where I hope she will do even better than Venus Raj's 5th place finish and equal the achievement of the country's last Miss Universe 28 years ago, Margie Moran Floirendo.
