How Shamcey Supsup became Miss Universe Philippines national director

Former beauty queen Shamcey Supsup was hesitant at first in accepting the position as national director of the Miss Universe Philippines organization.

“You can call me the hesitant beauty queen,” she said in a press conference at Empire Studios in Bonifacio Global City.

But soon enough, Shamcey realized the reason she was chosen in because she is a “multi-tasked woman.”

“Because of the time that’s going to be taken away, (I was hesitant).  I have work and a full-time mom. I have businesses but thinking about it, parang that is the reason why it was given to me 'cause they’re looking for a multi-tasked woman,” she said.

It might be something she has never done before but Shamcey is confident that their team can pull of a pageant Filipinos can be proud of.

“We’re very confident that we’ll be able to produce a pageant that has prestige and something you can be proud of as a Filipino,” she said.

With her new role, Shamcey is nothing but grateful for the opportunity given to her by the Miss Universe Organization.

She knows being national director is a big responsibility but she takes this as an opportunity to lend a helping hand to aspiring beauty queens.

How she became national director

Shortly after the Miss Universe 2019 competition last December 9, Shamcey received a call from queen maker Jonas Gaffud.

Little did she know that phone call will be the start of another amazing journey of hers.

“It all happened so fast,” Jonas said.

He said it was the Miss Universe Organization who asked him to contact Shamcey and offer her the position.

Jonas also said among the others he offered the position was Pia Wurtzbach and Venus Raj, who both declined.

But despite being hesitant at first, Shamcey is now ready to lead this new organization and train and groom new and aspiring beauty queens.

Last December, Miss Universe Philippines announced they are no longer with the Araneta group and BInibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. after 55 years.

Shamcey said she has yet to talk to her godmother and former pageant director Stella Araneta after the move.

But despite this, Shamcey said she will always be a product of BPCI.

“I always say na I’m still a Binibini. I’m always a Binibini and very grateful for the opportunity the Aranetas have given me and all of us. We would not be here if not for them,” she said.

Shamcey added that two separate pageants do not always mean rivalry.

“I feel like we can still support each other. I don’t think it should be a rivalry kasi what’s the point of having these pageants?” she said.

“We want to empower. We don’t want to look down on others or pull others down,” Shamcey added.

“We’re not doing this just to have a change or a difference from other pageants but we’re just going to follow kung ano ‘yong magiging direction ng Miss Universe Organization.”

For the first time in pageant history in the country, a separate Miss Universe Philippines competition has opened its applications for aspiring beauty queens. Submission of applications is until January 31, while the final screening will be on February 1.

The Miss Universe Philippines will be under the umbrella of the Miss Universe Organization.

The coronation night will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 3. —MGP, GMA News