Beautiful, brainy Binibinis

• 2011 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Shamcey Supsup, 25 (on May 16), stands 5’8”, weighs 105 lbs. and measures 32.5-23-35. An architecture magna cum laude graduate from UP and top-notcher in the 2010 architect licensure exams. Her father, Timoteo Supsup, a farm-owner, is from General Santos City; and her mom, Marcelina Supsup, is a civil engineer. An only child; a Protestant. She’ll compete in the Miss Universe Pageant in Brazil in September.

• 2011 Bb. Pilipinas-International Dianne Samar Necio, 19 (March 9), 5’7”, 114 lbs. and 33-24-35. On leave from nursing studies at University of St. Anthony in Iriga City. Native of Polangui, Albay. Has an elder brother, 24; and two half-siblings. Her mom, Maria Daniella Samar, died when Dianne was seven years old; her father is Edwin Necio. She’s a Roman Catholic. She will compete in the Miss International contest (maybe in C hina).

• 2011 Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism Isabella Manjon, 24 (Jan. 27), 5’8”, 120 lbs. and 36-24-35. A Registered Nurse from UERM. A Roman Catholic. With one sister. Her dad, Martin Manjon, is half-Spanish; and her mom, Divina Catipunan, is pure Filipino. Still being planned what international contest she will compete in.

This Conversation was kicked off by three Miss Universe questions, followed by seven questions from former Binibinis.

What’s the biggest mistake that you’ve committed in your life and what did you do to correct it? (The “major, major” question asked of Venus Raj in last year’s Miss Universe contest where she placed fourth runner-up.)

From left: Bb. Pilipinas-International Dianne Necio, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Shamcey Supsup and Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism Isabella Manjon were picked from among 40 hopefuls, said to be one of the best batches in years

Shamcey: Being afraid of making a mistake. Before, I never tried modeling and joining a beauty contest because I was afraid of failing. I was sure that I did best in academics, kumbaga that was my niche, until I realized that if I didn‘t try anything new, I’d never gain anything new. So I went out of the box and joined the Bb. Pilipinas pageant. Now I know that you learn much more outside of the classroom by meeting all kinds of people.

Dianne: When I was a kid, I wasn’t able to show my mom how much I loved her. I didn’t know I would lose her that early. She died at 34 of congenital heart disease. I corrected that mistake by trying my best to win a beauty contest because dream talaga ng mom ko na maging beauty queen ako. Now, I’m sure she’s very happy wherever she is.

Isabella: I didn’t try my best in everything before but I didn’t lose hope. My favorite motto, which is sobrang gasgas na, is “Try and try until you succeed.”

What is the essence of being a woman? (To India’s Sushmita Sen who won Miss Universe in 1994 when the pageant was held here for the second time.)

Shamcey: These days, the essence of being a woman is not just being a mother; it’s playing multiple roles. I saw my mom. She’s a successful civil engineer but she has always time for the family. She’s a super-woman, very good in multi-tasking. After work, she has time to cook for me, wash my clothes.

Dianne: Being an inspiration to everyone. Not every woman can bear a child. Like my mom. Because of her heart condition, she was not supposed to bear a child otherwise she would die. But she took the risk and had not only me but also my brother. She did it because she knew na ‘yon ang purpose ng pagiging babae niya.

Isabella: I know that Sushmita Sen’s answer was about a woman’s giving birth. I agree with her. Only a woman can give life to a human being and nurture him until he grows up.

From left: Dianne, Shamcey and Isabella are ready for competitions abroad

If a Miss Universe got pregnant during her reign, do you think she should continue? (To Miriam Quiambao in the 1999 Miss Universe pageant where she won first runner-up to Miss Botswana.)

Shamcey: She should not. Among the rules is for the winner not to have a child. Otherwise, since she would take care of her child, she might neglect her duties and obligations as Miss Universe.

Dianne: Yes, she should quit. One of the criteria is for her not to be married and not to have a child. Once you win, you should know what your responsibility is. Having a baby can wait.

Isabella: She should give up her crown because she violated a rule.

What do you think about the RH Bill? (From Gloria Diaz, 1969 Miss Universe)

Shamcey: I am for it. Everyone should be given a choice. You cannot deny that one of the world’s environmental problems is over-population. The more people we have and the more resources we use, the more waste we create. So, family planning is one thing that we should address.

Dianne: I am 50 percent for it and 50 percent against it. I’m a Catholic and I have the same fear like that of others na kapag na-i-pass ang RH Bill, baka maging careless na tayo sa…alam mo na. But also, I’m for it because if approved and followed properly, it would be a big help in controlling the population.

Isabella: I am for it. Due to lack of education, some people don’t know what to do with their kids so kawawa ‘yung mga bata. We should educate people about birth control.

Beauty queens have a lot to do other than being beautiful. How would you use your title to benefit others? (From Dang Cecilio, 1979 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe)

Shamcey: I’m a perfectionist and I’m hard on myself. Gusto ko lagi tama. I’m scared of making a mistake.

Shamcey: Cliché as it sounds, I want to be a role model, kasi people usually see beauty queens just gracing social gatherings. I have a lot of other dreams, other plans. My ultimate goal is to be able to contribute something…I want to teach, I want to be a professor. Being a beauty queen is just part of a bigger plan and you can use it to inspire other people --- you know, that you can achieve your goal if you work hard.

Dianne: As Binibinis, we can attract sponsors who can help us in raising funds like what the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) is doing. Then, with the funds we can help a lot of people.

Isabella: Since we become an inspiration to other people, we should live up to our responsibility as role models.

As the representative of our country, and young as you are, what nightlife entertainment will you recommend to your roommate if she comes to visit? (From Margie Moran, 1973 Miss Universe)

Shamcey: I’m not into nightlife, I’m not into dancing, or partying and I feel claustrophobic in bars because I hate smoke which makes me dizzy. So I will probably bring her to the CCP to watch cultural shows. I love theater and I can get my roommate interested in it.

Dianne: I love dancing. In our spare time during Binibini, other contestants and I would play music and go into a dance showdown. So I would take out my roommate to a night out of dancing.

Isabella: Dancing. In singing, people can change their voice. But in dancing, every nationality has its own rhythm. Filipinos have their own and it’s different from that of foreigners.

What’s the greatest struggle that you’ve overcome and how did it help you grow? (From Krista Kleiner, 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-International)

Dianne: I will just be myself. I represent Filipina my age, so out there I will show them what young Filipinas are like.

Shamcey: I’m a perfectionist and I’m hard on myself. Gusto ko lagi tama. I’m scared of making a mistake. Even in school, I had to study hard because people expected too much from me. Parang if I failed, or if I made just one mistake, ang laki ng impact. If I made an achievement, they would say, “Ah, it’s you kasi!” But I realized that I don’t have to pressure myself all the time because I have nothing to prove anymore. I always try to be the best that I can in everything I do. I realized that what’s important is not really being there but in getting there. So now, I’m trying to enjoy every moment kasi alam kong minsan lang mangyari ‘to, but while enjoying it I don’t set aside my goals in life.

Dianne: This year’s pageant. I finished first runner-up (to Venus Raj) last year, so it was a risk for me to compete again. There were so many girls among the (40) contestants, most of them new ones, magaganda at matatalino.

Isabella: I’m close to my parents and one of my greatest struggles was when my dad, who is only 46, suffered a stroke, followed by another one. Being the older child, I felt that I had more responsibility. I started to really value life and live every moment to the fullest. Now, never a day passes that I don’t tell my parents that I love them.

What do you think makes the Filipino truly world-class? (From Ruffa Gutierrez, 1993 Miss World Second Princess)

Shamcey: One characteristic of Filipinos that I’m proud of is their resilience, their ability to bounce back in the face of tragedy. Filipinos are very positive. They never lose hope. You watch the newscast about a fire and the victims are still smiling, saying to the camera, “Hello po!” I was in Japan as an American Field Service (AFS) scholar for two months and foreigners I met there told me that they loved Filipinos, and that in their countries, everything seemed so gloomy and they were curious why Filipinos are a happy people, every day daw is a party. Well, I think it’s our fiesta mentality.

Isabella: I want to pursue Medicine and be a cardiologist. My advocacy is health. Natutuwa ako kapag nakikita ko ang mga pasyenteng nakangiti sa akin.

Dianne: We keep our values even if we easily adapt to changes. We keep on improving ourselves so we can keep up with the world, kaya ang daming lumalabas na world-class artists (singers and actors).

Isabella: Our being hospitable. When a visitor arrives at our home, kahit biglaan, we welcome them. Even abroad, Filipinos readily accommodate friends maski wala silang pasabi na darating sila.

How do you intend to portray and represent the country while taking part in an international competition? (From Nini Ramos, 1968 Bb. Pilipinas-International)

Shamcey: I’ll just show how proud I am to be a Filipino; I won’t pretend to be somebody else. During my brief stay in Japan, I saw how much they love their country, their culture, their language. I feel the same way.

Dianne: I will just be myself. I represent Filipina my age, so out there I will show them what young Filipinas are like.

Isabella: Just be myself, with no pretensions at all.

If you win, what will you do for the country? (From Pilar Pilapil, 1967 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe)

Shamcey: I want to get involved in projects about education. You know, my mother grew up in Basilan; she was among the poorest of the poor. They were 11 in the family and she told me na pangarap niya noon ay makakain ng buong itlog because before they would divide one egg among the family. So she strived to get an education. She was a scholar and to earn extra money, she would volunteer to do homework of her classmates in exchange for a share of their baon. I saw my mom’s perseverance. Now that she’s successful, she wants to send my cousins and other relatives to school. Education can really change your life.

Dianne: As I said, as a beauty queen, I can help attract people to contribute their share in helping our country. If I win the Miss International crown (So far won by four Filipinas: Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005. --- RFL), I will continue to do that.

Isabella: I want to pursue Medicine and be a cardiologist. My advocacy is health. Natutuwa ako kapag nakikita ko ang mga pasyenteng nakangiti sa akin.

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