Real-life queens

Last April 10, I relinquished the crown to a remarkable young woman, whose accomplishments so early in life are just amazing. Shamcey Supsup, magna cum laude graduate of BS Architecture and licensure exam topnotcher, wowed audiences and judges alike with her beauty and brains, winning her the title Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011.

I am quite excited to step just a little outside the spotlight and see how the new titlist will perform her duties. I am so excited to see how dramatically things will unfold — just like it did for me.

Looking at Shamcey — beautiful and multi-talented, one cannot help but wonder how it is possible to raise such an admirable young woman. But we don’t have to look far to see a major personality that molded her into the extraordinary woman that she is today — her mother.

Aside from being beauty title holders, Shamcey and I share another thing in common. We both regard our mothers as the major influence in our lives. My mother raised me up as a single mother during my early childhood years. She tended a small farm and a small dressmaking shop to make ends meet for me and my four other siblings. A true ilaw ng tahanan, she continues to be my rock until now. I will never forget how supportive she was of me. More than a year ago, I intended to look for work in order to help provide for my family. But when I arrived in Manila, other opportunities presented themselves. I asked my mother if I can join Bb. Pilipinas instead. She gave her full support without hesitation and the rest was history.

Marci Supsup, Shamcey’s mother, is also a truly admirable woman. She is a highly educated lady who earned a Masters Degree abroad under scholarship and was an assistant professor at MSU-IIT, Iligan City.

 Shamcey recalls her mother saying, “Anak, we are not rich but we have our brains, use it “ — and obviously, her daughter followed this! Shamcey affirmed that indeed mothers know best as it was really her mother who began mapping the road to her daughter’s beauty title. Unknown to Shamcey, her mother already saw her as a beauty queen and was already grooming her to become one even during her childhood years. She was enrolled in voice and piano lessons. And then, as she observed her daughter’s talent in drawing, she proceeded to art lessons. This eventually helped her as she won Miss Talent at the pageant after finishing a work of art in just a little over a couple of minutes! Finally, it was also her mother who gave the big encouragement to sign up for Binibining Pilipinas instead of immediately pursuing a regular job. She believed it was the perfect timing. And she was right.

Both our mothers were also disciplinarians. I was not spared from spanking but my mother always made sure that I understood that she did it for love and for my own good. Shamcey, on the other hand, was not even allowed to spend overnights during her high school years. Looking back, we are both grateful for our mother’s discipline and guidance.

I am no longer a child but I still regard my mother with great respect and always turn to her for advice. She always tells me that I should pursue my dreams with determination. After winning the title, my mother reminded me to enjoy my singlehood to the fullest before settling down. She knows that being unattached will enable me to pursue my plans with greater freedom.

Shamcey also seeks her mother’s counsel, especially now that things have changed. They are constantly together, with her mother on top of her schedules. And in spite of her busy schedule, she still finds time to cook her daughter’s favorite dish, chicken curry. Shamcey’s mother hopes her daughter maintains her values and principles in life despite the pressures of being a beauty titlist. She also cites Esther from the Bible as an inspiration she wishes her daughter to emulate.

Our mothers have inspired us to be strong-willed, independent and beautiful.

Shamcey and I are both blessed to have such great mothers. They also deserve a crown.