Shamcey walks backward at her and Lloyd’s ting hun

No, sir, Shamcey Supsup didn’t do the Tsunami  Walk that helped her clinch third runner-up honors at the 2011 Miss Universe. Instead, resplendent in light-green cocktail dress, she walked backward down the aisle according to Chinese custom at her and boyfriend Lloyd Peter Lee’s ting hun (the Chinese version of the Filipino tradition pamanhikan) held last Sunday, June 16 (the second anniversary of their going steady), at the garden ballroom of EDSA Shangri-La. A few minutes earlier, Lloyd had walked in.

“It was an unforgettable experience,” related Tessa Mangahas, one of the BPCI (Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) representatives (with Aina Lluz, Ellaine Bandelaria and Lilia Bacalso) who was there. “Nakakatuwa ‘yung ritual.”

Six chairs on one side were occupied by the parents of Lloyd (eldest among four children), Paul and Virgie Lee, his grandmother Buna Lim, uncles Greg Ty and Hanson Lee, and aunt Tan Lee Po Tsui. On the other side sat the parents of Shamcey (an only child), Timoteo and Marci Supsup; her aunts Sarah Supsup and Dolores Garchitorena; uncle Gen. Edgardo Gurrea and wife Rose (also Shamcey’s aunt).

“As soon as Shamcey and Lloyd stood side by side,” continued Tessa, “the host announced the exchange of wedding bands, followed by the couple’s parents pinning the corsages on their new son/daughter-in-law. “Lloyd’s parents gifted Shamcey with a watch, bangle and a necklace; and then Shamcey’s elders gifted Lloyd with a watch, a medallion and a bangle. It was so touching!”

The event was capped by a tea ceremony that symbolized the formal acceptance of the engaged couple by both families, with Shamcey and Lloyd serving each other’s parents cups of tea. The photo session over, the couple led the guests to the banquet area for a lauriat lunch which was preceded by the couple and immediate families sharing sweet eggs and misua — “For a long and sweet wedded life together,” Tessa surmised. Highlight of the lunch was the customary “kiss the bride” tinkling of glasses. Shamcey and Lloyd went from table to table to give away flowers to female guests.

Among the invited guests were Megaworld’s Charlemagne Yu, ABS-CBN executive Chit Guerrero, Mercator Talent Agency head Jonas Gaffud (Shamcey’s manager), Bb. Pilipinas title-holders (Janine Tugonon, Venus Raj, Jennifer Barrientos and reigning queen Ariella Arida) and Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Pia Wurtzbach.

The engaged couple announced that they are getting married in December (kiat hun) without revealing the exact date. (According to reports, it’s going to be on the 29th.)

To Shamcey and Lloyd, as the Chinese would say, may you have one hundred years of wedded bliss!

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.) – Photos by TESSA MANGAHAS