A love-filled baby shower for mother-to-be Shamcey Supsup Lee
As I have blogged before, Miss Universe Philippines 2011 and Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner-Up Shamcey Supsup-Lee will become a mother soon. And because of the very nearing date of delivery, a love-filled baby shower was thrown on her behalf. Loving husband Lloyd was always around to support his heavily-pregnant wife. Her mentors from Aces & Queens led by Jonas Gaffud, Arnold Mercado and Bessie Besana were around. And of course, her fellow pageant queens also graced the affair, led by Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj, Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa, Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 Yvethe Santiago, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2011 Isabella Manjon and Bb. Pilipinas International 2011 Dianne Necio.
Watch out for the arrival of Baby Nyke! 🙂
A quote for dear Shamcey:
“Pregnancy seems designed to prepare you for life as a mother. You start making sacrifices nine months before the child is born, so by the time they put in an appearance you are used to giving things up for them.”
― Brett Kiellerop
The last five wearers of the Bb. Pilipinas International crown in reverse order from 2014 down to 2010
The Bb. Pilipinas International crown
Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti was 24 when she won the title last year. Bea Rose Santiago, on the other hand, was 23 the year she nailed hers, the same age Nicole Schmitz was crowned last 2012. Before that, Dianne Necio was a young 19 year-old at the time she was named for the honor. And nearly five years ago today, Krista Kleiner was all of 20 summers during Bb. Pilipinas 2010 – the edition where she got the nod as Bb. Pilipinas International.
Of the five titles at stake, this is the crown that only Official Candidates below the age of 25 can vie for. And in the 2015 batch, there are those who are skipping the hunt to become the country’s next representative to Miss International. Hence, the likes of 25-to-26-year-olds Hannah Ruth Sison, Pia Wurtzbach, Kimverlyn Suiza, Anja-Vanessa Peter, Ria Rabajante, Patricia Ejercitado, Anabel Christine Tia, Toni Alyessa Hipolito, Caneille Faith Santos and Samantha Balbin are no longer eligible for the same. The rest can breathe easy knowing that they are still up for all the prized spots.
Christi McGarry by Jory Rivera
There is one gray area, though. For example, Binibini 19 Christi Lynn McGarry was 24 when she got in as Official Candidate. But just last February 5, she already turned 25 – more than a month before the March 15 coronation night. Can she still be considered for Miss International? My impression is that the Japanese organizers are strict when it comes to age and are understanding when the rep is already 25 but still under that age when she participated in and won the national crown (just like Bianca Guidotti). Will Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta make an exception or will she play it safe and go for those who are safely within the age brackets to avoid any unnecessary kinks about the matter?
During the original announcement of the Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Official Candidates (Photo credit: Melvin Sia for OPMB Worldwide)
This is the Bb. Pilipinas batch that had the most number of memorable joiners and original qualifiers. I stress on the word ‘original’ because there was a couple of disqualifications/withdrawals along the way that spoiled the forty (40) Official Candidates like Grendel Alvarado and Roxanne Cabañero. At any rate, consider these names who went on to greater heights (or otherwise) after the edition was over. Outside the titleholders Shamcey Supsup, Dianne Necio and Isabella Manjon, there are:
1) Janine Tugonon who went on to win Miss Universe Philippines the following year and claimed 1st Runner-Up honors in Miss Universe 2012 held in Las Vegas.
2) MJ Lastimosa who went on to win Miss Universe Philippines three years later and will now represent us in the 63rd Miss Universe Pageant in Doral Miami.
3) Queenie Rehman who went on to join and win Miss World Philippines 2012 and placed in the Top 15 of Miss World 2012 in Ordos.
4) Zephora Mayon who already won Mutya ng Pilipinas 2007 but abdicated her title, and took a risk by resurfacing in this batch with less success.
5) Glennifer Perido who went on to join and win Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International 2014 and is now in Kuala Lumpur representing us in Miss Tourism International 2014/15.
6) Patricia Tumulak who never won Bb. Pilipinas despite being a heavy crowd favorite, and is now looking at taking part in Miss Multiverse 2015 scheduled in the Dominican Republic a few months from now.
7) Suzette Hernandez who, after failures in nailing a Bb. Pilipinas title, joined Mutya ng Pilipinas, got Runner-Up placement, migrated to Canada and became that country’s rep to Miss Supranational 2013 won by Mutya Datul.
8) Samantha Purvor who found her calling in Miss Philippines Earth where she captured one of the national elements last 2012.
9) Chloe McCully who took part in Miss World Philippines 2011 afterwards and became 2nd Princess to Gwen Ruais.
10) Bernadette Aguirre and Monique Manuel who had somewhat similar destinies when they joined separate editions of Miss Philippines Earth and won the same title of Miss Eco-Tourism.
11) Angelia Ong who found relative success as 2nd Runner-Up in Miss Manila 2014 won by KC Halili.
12) Tina Marasigan who gave up on pageantry and focused on TV hosting and Courtside reporting where she is doing fairly well up to now.
13) Sabrinne Al-Tawil and Luzelle Felipe, two beautiful candidates who never re-joined and embarked on different career paths where they got assurances of better income.
14) Wendy Lucas who became our rep in a smaller international beauty pageant (Miss Tourism Intercontinental 2010) before joining this edition.
15) Krystle Ann Grant who was Miss Philippines Air 2007 but joined in 2011 as Krystle Ann Dizon. Her tracks were stopped at this point and she was set back from a previous success.
16) Bianca Paz who was never a winner here, but made the rounds of different national competitions, got runner-up wins in two batches of Miss World Philippines and another runner-up spot in the last Miss Philippines Earth.
17) And of course, who can forget Diana Arevalo who has less than fortunate participations in three (3) Bb. Pilipinas competitions (including this one).
Care to add more memorable insights on the remaining ladies in this group? 😉
Regardless of pageant affiliations, our beautiful Filipinas who either won national crowns or placed in the same (including those who were candidates) gathered together for last Sunday’s Charity Fashion Gala at the Grand Ballroom of Ace Hotel & Suites. They walked the ramp and in the process, helped raise funds for the ST Yolanda victims.
Kudos to Team JDV’s John dela Vega – who was at the helm of the event – as he was able to pull together these ladies from various organizations such as Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc., Miss Earth Foundation, Miss World Philippines and Mutya ng Pilipinas Quest Inc.
All images are courtesy of OPMB Worldwide’s Bruce Casanova.
Mutya Datul, Ara Arida and Pia Wurtzbach for Bb. Pilipinas
Patricia Fernandez, MJ Lastimosa and Toni Hipolito
Ellore Punzalan, Chloe McCully and April Love Jordan
Janicel Lubina and Jeanne Horn
Czarina Gatbonton, Dianne Necio and Samantha Purvor
Ali Forbes and Nina Ricci Alagao
Individually now: Ara Arida, Mutya Datul and Pia Wurtzbach
Your blogger took all the photo ops he could with the beautiful ladies that night with the help of OPMB's Noli Berioso.
Your blogger (extreme left) with (l-r) OPMB Worldwide's Noli Berioso, host John Morante, Sash Factor's Brix Vera and Pao.
Clowning around for the camera (Photo credit: Pao)
If only Janine showed up, this photo would’ve been complete with (L-R) Shamcey Supsup, Ara Arida and Venus Raj in attendance. (Photo credit: Pao)
More beauties: (L-R) Dianne Necio, Venus Raj, Czarina Gatbonton & Mary Ann Misa (Photo credit: Pao)
It was a beautiful dinner alright.
Hosted by pageant supporter John Morante and held in honor of A&Q’s Ara and Pia (lovingly called “The Paandar Girls), the Spanish food buffet (at Metrowalk’s Taberna Tapas y Vino) was sumptuous. The drinks overflowed. And the lovely ladies lent their presence to make the night extra special. There’s Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ara Arida, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Venus Raj, Bb. Pilipinas 2013 1st Runner-Up Pia Wurtzbach, Bb. Pilipinas-International 2011 Dianne Necio, Bb. Pilipinas-World 2010 Czarina Gatbonton, Miss Supranational Philippines 2012 Elaine Kay Moll, Miss World Philippines 2012 First Princess Mary Ann Ross Misa, Bb. Pilipinas 2011 2nd Runner-Up Mary Jean Lastimosa and Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism 2011 Isabella Manjon. To top it off, Aces & Queens head honcho Jonas Gaffud, together with Arnold Mercado, John Cuay and Mark Besana joined the happy get-together as well.
Here are a few tidbits about some of the girls:
– Up close and personal, Ara Arida is 5x more beautiful than in pictures that we see. Her aura is a mix of sweet, sultry and down-to-earth. Without cameras or videocams tailing around, she moves and speaks in a visibly relaxed state. And oh, she loves her food spicy!
– Pia Wurtzbach is a delight to have dinner with, no pretensions whatsoever. Her face is beautifully hypnotic, just as her stance and sexy body can drive any onlooker crazy.
– I can’t get over the fact that Elaine Moll could no longer compete in a future Bb. Pilipinas because of her Miss Supranational Philippines title which wasn’t even awarded during the 2012 finals night. The girl’s height is enviable and her beauty simple but alluring. She was seated very close and never fails to flash her winsome smile everytime we engage in small talk.
– Mary Ann Ross Misa, to my pleasant surprise, has tentative plans of re-joining Miss World Philippines 2013. And I couldn’t help but give my thumbs up on the spot. She remains ravishing and unquestionably warm. She offered a hug the moment she realized that I am the blogger who featured her more than twice in the past.
– Shamcey Supsup was with boyfriend Lloyd Lee, and it’s very evident that the two lovebirds are very much into each other. Both gamely played along with the banters all throughout the night.
– And Venus Raj? This woman is a lovable character without a doubt. She makes anyone feel at ease in an instant. And I love it that she has noble plans for the future, like putting up a foundation for the education of poor children. Do I smell a political career in a few years’ time?
I wish I could’ve stayed much longer, but early Monday work still beckoned.
At any rate, my heartfelt thanks to Mama John Morante for inviting me to this exclusive affair. 😉
Three of the Kagandahang Flores bets (L-R): Bea Santiago, Parul Shah and Charmaine Elima. (Photo credit: OPMB Worldwide)
A little more up close this time (L-R) Bea, Parul and Charmaine. (Photo credit: OPMB Worldwide)
Kagandahang Flores (KF) is the other reputable beauty camp churning out ladies for Bb. Pilipinas. While good friends with Jonas Gaffud, KF Head Rodgil Flores has been in deep competition with A&Q for many years now. Just to name his more recent successes, there are Nicole Schmitz, Dianne Necio, Isabella Manjon and Bianca Manalo to carry the group’s colors. For 2013, five of their bets have already enlisted and I am featuring three of them. Might I also add that they are simply stunning!
Enter Bea Rose Santiago, Parul Shah and Charmaine Elima.
You will remember Bea Rose Santiago as Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities 2011 who represented us in the Miss Tourism Queen International 2012 where she landed the Top 10. She stands 5’9″.
The other two appeared in earlier features here. Parul Shah is the Baguio Fil-Indian charmer who placed in Aliwan Festival 2009. She stands 5’9″.
And then there’s Charmaine Elima from Rizal. The dusky beauty is 5’7″.
So the question now is…who will the fountain bless? I’m quite certain that they will make it to the year’s fold. But is there a potential winner among them? I actually like all three, but I would put Parul and Charmaine over Bea for now. 😉
Nicole Schmitz during her shopping day with the candidates.
Up to October 19, or two days before the finals of Miss International 2012, you can show your support for our Nicole Schmitz by voting for her as “Miss Internet“. This is the same special award won by her predecessor Dianne Necio in China last year. The procedure is very simple. Just go to the link/s above (plus the images on both sides of this post) to get to the page where you will see the images of all 69 contestants. Once there, click on the image of Nicole and follow the instructions afterwards. Fast and easy!
February 7 marks the final open screening deadline for Bb. Pilipinas 2012. This is your last chance to take a stab at the opportunity of following the footsteps of Shamcey Supsup and Venus Raj who both made the country proud by placing in Miss Universe 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The Official Candidates will be announced two days later, on February 9, with the search culminating in the Grand Coronation Night scheduled on April 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta (extreme left) with her 2011 Queens (L-R) BPI Dianne Necio, BPU Shamcey Supsup and BPT Isabella Manjon.
So if you think you have what it takes to be the country’s next representative to the Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Tourism Queen International, make the beeline to the screening venue at Gateway Suites in Araneta Center until late afternoon this coming Tuesday.
Who knows, your late entry might just be what BPCI is waiting for! 😉
Janine Tugonon during the swimsuit round of Bb. Pilipinas 2011
A better chance for 2012?
Janine Tugonon was almost there. She was one of the more pleasant packages in Bb. Pilipinas 2011 – neither ignored nor perched high among the Top 5 of many armchair judges’ selections. In fact, when she nailed the Q&A, it came as no surprise that she was named 1st Runner-Up.
But then again, a 1st Runner-Up placement is just that – a runner-up. Throughout 2011, she never had the opportunity to represent the Philippines in international beauty competitions. And this might have triggered the confidence to give the pageant a 2nd try. So if she presents herself for Bb. Pilipinas 2012 screening, we all know that she has already relinquished her rank last year, and is more than ready to re-conquer the contest in hopes of getting a crown this time around. And I don’t see that as a herculean objective, i.e., unless we are deluged with a topnotch quality of contenders who are just as eager to follow (and better) the act of Shamcey Supsup. I’m sure she will get the blessings of Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta, just as she backed up Dianne Necio. But how far will that support bring her to? Let’s wait and see. 😉
Mary Jean Lastimosa during Bb. Pilipinas 2011 where she placed 2nd Runner-Up (Photo credit: Mabuhay Beauties)
A 2nd Runner-Up finish in the annual Binibining Pilipinas ain’t bad. But if you’re someone like Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa, chances are that placing fifth is not a desirable option at all. The girl wants the crown, and she explicitly uttered this during her Q&A in Bb. Pilipinas 2011.
Now, should she finally decide to resign from her runner-up post and take the risk of re-joining Binibining Pilipinas, then we just might have another strong batch of ladies for 2012. Not an unusual move because Dianne Necio (who was 1st Runner-Up in 2010 and took part in 2011 where she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-International) went through the same route and came out successful.
MJ will always give me the vision of a woman with drop-dead curvaceous body. And she has still maintained that same whistle-bait figure up to now. Coupled with a little more good luck in her favor, will she finally come out a crowned winner in Binibining Pilipinas 2012?
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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