Shamcey Supsup, a magna cum laude graduate from the University of the Philippines who says she values good education over fame and fortune, won Sunday (April 10) night’s Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) pageant.

The 24-year-old beauty from General Santos City in southern Philippines, who also is an architecture board exams topnotcher, will represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant in Brazil in November.

Her victory came as no surprise. Early in the competition, she received three special awards - Miss Talent, Miss Philippine Airlines and Miss Cream Silk.

Donning three sashes and clasping bouquets in her arms, Supsup gained more confidence even before the swimsuit and evening gown competitions started.

Hugh Wilson, consul general of the Australian Embassy, asked Supsup during the question-and-answer portion what worthy cause she supported.

“Valuing education,” she replied. “You can have money. You can have fame. But in the end it can be taken from you. But education is something that cannot be taken away from you.”

Her response was punctuated with a thunderous applause from the audience at the Araneta Coliseum.

Supsup took home a 500,000-peso (US$10,000) management contract from Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), 50,000 pesos ($1,000) from Cream Silk, a trip for two to the United States, as well as products and services from pageant sponsors.

Isabella Manjon, a 24-year-old nurse, bagged the Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism title and pocketed a 500,000-peso management contract from BPCI, and products and services from the sponsors. She will serve as an ambassador of Philippine tourism.

Ms International

When asked by ABS-CBN publishing head Ernie Lopez if a father could carry out the duties of a mother and vice versa, Manjon said: “God made us all equal. And if we are equally made, then we can do everything in God’s grace.”

But perhaps the happiest person that evening was newly proclaimed Binibining Pilipinas-International Dianne Necio.

The Albay lass took an unprecedented risk and rescinded the first runner-up spot she earned in last year’s pageant so she could join again this year, also giving up part of her prize package by doing so.

Necio will represent the country in the Miss International pageant, where the Philippines already won four times. She awaits a red carpet welcome on her return to Legazpi City, courtesy of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.

She also took home a 500,000-peso management contract from BPCI, a trip for two to Japan to meet the organisers of the Miss International pageant, as well as other products and services from sponsors.

Rounding up the top five were first runner-up Janine Tugonon and second runner-up Mary Jean Lastimosa.

Tugonon was a campus queen at the University of Santo Tomas, where she was proclaimed 2010 Miss Thomasian Personality. Lastimosa, former Mutya ng Dabaw and Reyna ng Aliwan, was predicted by many to bag the Best in Swimsuit award with her excellent form.

Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran-Floirendo, cager Alex Cabagnot, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. were among the judges.

Miss Universe 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao and Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman shared hosting chores with screen hunk Derek Ramsay and KC Concepcion. With a report from Mar S. Arguelles.
(Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN)