WHAT SHAMCEY SUPSUP SHOULD DO TO WIN THE MISS UNIVERSE 2011 TITLE

ONE week after General Santos City lass Shamcey Supsup have won the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe title fairly and squarely, she is confronted with the reality that the road to the Miss Universe crown is still long and rough. Her biggest duty is to break the three-decade absence of the prestigious crown in a Filipina's head. And this early, I know it won't be easy for her.

Shamcey stood out in perhaps the most competitive Binibining Pilipinas pageant in history. I have never seen such a magnificent display of beauties since the batch of Charlene Gonzales in 1994 (but the pageant was held earlier because the Philippines was then the host of the Miss Universe pageant). She is beautiful, fit, and articulate but I think it was her academic credentials that got her the title. Who wouldn't have voted for a UP Magna Cum Laude graduate who has topped the architecture board exams?

So before we forget that Miss Universe is the most glamourous beauty pageant in the world and not an academic exercise, let me share my most objective thoughts on Shamcey's possible standing in the Miss Universe pageant and what she can do to make herself a viable contender to the title.

WHAT THE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT IS LOOKING FOR. Miss Universe constantly changes it standards and in recent years showed that Donald Trump prefers women with supermodel qualities--tall, slender, sleepy-eyed, and classy. She should be extremely telegenic and photogenic and walks the walk. But on top of everything, should be able to bring the cash to the Miss Universe bank account. It's a business venture after-all, right Donald?

Current titleholder Ximena Navarette of Mexico is an exception. More than anything, I think she is a product of politics and good publicity. Who wouldn't like the idea of having a former Miss Universe (Lupita Jones) produce her country's second queen? Plus Mexico is a huge Telemundo market.

And now the problem begins. Shamcey is not what the Miss Universe pageant is looking for. She is a pretty over-achiever who would have been a strong contender in the post-Sushmita Sen years. But not now. She would be drowned by extremely gorgeous women from all over the globe who most likely would have even better credentials than her.  At worst, she can be another Theresa Licaros or Zorayda Andam and hopes that her countrymen intensified their efforts in the internet poll.

But let's not underestimate Shamcey. I believe that this girl is so smart that she can actually architect herself into the woman that the Miss Universe organization is looking for. She has enough time to push her boundaries and be at her best when it is needed.

Shamcey's smile can be improved by having dental reshaping. Her teeth are too
squarish and masculine. They should be a bit round and more feminine.

FACIAL BEAUTY. Do not get me wrong. Overall I find Shamcey pretty but not striking. I hate it too when people compare her beauty to Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela because while I agree that their is indeed a semblance, Shamcey would look a poor second beside her. The challenge then is to maximize her natural facial features through the magic of make-up and superb hairstyling. She should also train herself on camera to avoid her bad angles, especially her not-so-pointed nose. BPCI should hire the best aesthetic dentist to fix her imperfect smile and teeth (I find them too squarish and masculine. A 30-minute reshaping of her teeth can make them a bit round and more feminine).

Again, Shamcey should be Shamcey during the Miss Universe pageant and not a copycat of Stefania.

Yes they look alike but Shamcey should be Shamcey and not a poor Stefania copycat

FIGURE. While Shamcey's figure is lean, it is not competitive. She badly needs to improve her toning for her to get a better scores in the swimsuit competition.

CATWALK. I recommend that Shamcey works on a signature catwalk which she should unleash only during the preliminary rounds so that no one can copy or preempt it. Her catwalk style has to be different and she should carry it with extreme confidence.

LONG GOWN. I only have one name of a designer in mind who can create an outstanding gown that will make DShamcey's competition eat her dust-- Michael Cinco. Do I need to explain why?

A Michael Cinco creation

INTERVIEW. This is something that I think Shamcey should work on harder. She should remember the difference between a good classroom recitation or a university debate from a Miss Universe interview. I do not doubt that she would give a sensible answer. I just really worried about her delivery. She should always be fun, casual, engaging, and witty while answering the question.

PAGEANT GIMMICK. A pageant gimmick is important in getting noticed and securing a Top 15 slot. The publicity that Miriam Quiambao and Venus Raj generated through their individual circumstances-- Miriam falling on stage, Venus getting dethroned-- made both of them a must in the semi-final rounds.

But what kind of pageant gimmicks should Shamcey do? I already have something in mind and I am only willing to share it to Gus de Castro of BPCI.

Overall, I think it's exciting to see Shamcey's transformation soon. I will definitely cheer for her, and bite my nails, come Miss Universe pageant.