As Shamcey Supsup walked the stage during the Miss Universe pageant, a look of confidence juts out of her piercing eyes—and she stares back at the crowd.
Shamcey has an aura about her—one that seemingly enables her to courageously take on any new adventure.
Close family ties
After placing third runner-up in the Miss Universe 2011 Pageant, the first person Shamcey called was her mom. She and her mom (the equally beautiful and brainy Marcy Supsup) share a love for Thai food. Among Shamcey’s favorites of her mom’s cooking include Tom Yang soup and anything with curry.
Born on May 16, 1986 and an only child, Shamcey’s childhood was filled with memories of growing up in the farm with her dad. Her mom was always away, being an OFW engineer and would tease her why she was always wearing boy’s clothes. Mom would ask, “Are you a boy or a girl?” “Pareho kami ni Papa,” she would candidly say. Now, her mom would shop for clothes and dress her up like a Barbie doll.
As a way of relaxing, she would paint and draw. She remembered how she would draw for her mom and even joined different art groups. “I am adventurous in principle, active in mind, but not physically,” she said.
Shamcey loves to watch TV, study and read. A true Harry Potter fan, she read the first book seven times and would play Harry Potter trivia with friends. This bookworm also adores reading Agatha Christie books, with And Then There Was None being one of her all-time favorites, because of it’s unpredictable plot.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of the Philippines – Diliman in 2008, as Magna Cum Laude of her class. She took her apprenticeship at MTI+PA designing houses and condominiums and at Design Coordinates Inc (DCI) as a project manager on site for a culinary school and a condominium in the Philippines.
When asked what drew her to architecture, she said, “My mom suggested it as a blend of math and art.”
Shamcey: Before, during and after the pageant
There was only a slight physical change when she won Bb. Pilipinas Universe last April. “I had to dress up every time I would go out and I have to ride a taxi now, instead of [a] tricycle and [a] jeepney,” she said.
“I normally wear just jeans, rubber shoes and my hair is always in a ponytail but now I have to wear heels and put make up. The changes are all physical really—but how I am with myself, family and friends, with people, didn’t change.”
“Apart from faith, family and friends, to keep me grounded, I told my friends that my high heels and clothes may change but please, please tell me if I have changed and be the one to tell me I have changed. I will not change myself just to be famous, for what makes me who I am are my values, principles, my family, my friends,” she added.
Shamcey will never forget her Miss Universe experience in Sao Paolo, Brazil. “It was different. I was in a foreign place, away from my family and surrounded by 89 beauty queens with different culture and languages,” she recounted.
She prayed that she would have a roommate that she can communicate with. And her prayers were answered—Miss Korea, Jung Sora, became her roommate and bestfriend for the entire pageant.
She said that both of them didn’t think much about the competition and saved their energy for the final night instead.
With Miss Korea and Miss Guam backstage before the pageant started, they prayed. They have done their part, and were praying that they would enjoy the night together, with no slips. They also prayed that whoever wins Miss Universe be guided. They left everything up to God and asked Him to bless them.
She was in awe when she was called to be in the top 16. She was even more surprised when she made it to the top 5.
She took a leap of faith and alleviated her fears. Her faith and courage became her best move.
“I am always surprised because I give it all my best,[yet] expect less. I was having fun and making friends throughout the competition. I waited for the commercial break, prayed for wisdom that what I say would be coming from God.”
“I did not think twice, I did not even have doubts. I am happy that I was able to get that question, like it was fit for me, to say what I said, “ Shamcey added.
Shamcey’s reign as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe
As the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Shamcey said that she is here for a purpose and wants to influence kids to study harder and to be obedient to their parents.
She wants to work on helping provide the basic needs of children, like food, shelter and education.
“It gave me inspiration to tell them that education is to be valued. Through education we can change our lives. We may not be rich and famous, but we can reach our dreams and know what our possibilities are,” Shamcey said.
Shamcey Supsup is not just beauty and brains. She is an obedient daughter, a good friend and is committed to doing community service.
She possesses some of the most important characteristics of successful people—quiet confidence and the drive to grow constantly—intellectually and spiritually. And she will achieve this growth both in her public (as a beauty queen) and personal life.
That’s where her aura radiates from.
(Photos by Hydee Abrahan)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Sept. 21-23, 2011 MDWK pg.2)
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