2011 Grand Santacruzan featuring Bb. Pilipinas beauties

The Araneta Center's annual Grand Santacruzan was held last May 15 and was participated by the reigning and past beauties of the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant.

Here are some of the photos: 

Shamcey Supsup (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2011)

Dianne Elaine Samar Necio (Bb. Pilipinas International 2011)

Isabella Manjon (Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2011)

Janine Tugonon (1st runner-up, Bb.b Pilipinas 2011)

Mary Jean Lastimosa (2nd runner-up, Bb. Pilipinas 2011)

Czarina Gatbonton (Bb. Pilipinas World 2010)

 

Krista Kleiner (Bb. Pilipinas International 2010)



Maria Venus Raj (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010)

Aurora Pijuan (Bb. Pilipinas International 1970 & Miss International 1970)

*** photo credits to: Roy Eusebio II, Boyet Blas & Noli Berioso of mabuhaybeauties.com

Architect hailed as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA
The Manila Bulletin
April 11, 2011


MANILA, Philippines – 24-year old architect Shamcey Supsup is still in a daze after being crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011 on April 10.

“I still can't believe it. Parang panaginip. Kanina nung nag announce na, sabi ko it's God's will. If it's for you, it's for you. You just have to believe it," Supsup told Yahoo's omg! Philippines in a post-pageant interview.

"Whatever happens, it happens for a reason and God has a plan for every one of us... Ang dami talagang magaganda. Ang dami talagang magagaling. Feeling ko the judges had a hard time choosing the winner for the year," she added.

Supsup, a General Santos City-native, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines - Diliman’s College of Architecture and topped the June 2010 Architecture License Exam.

While Supsup feels no pressure in trying to achieve the same feat as her predecessor, Ma. Venus Raj (also crowned Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up), she said that she will give it her best shot at the pageant, which will be held at Sao Paolo, Brazil.

“I'm not pressured at all kasi I believe I was here for a reason and whatever my destiny is, I'll do my best. I'm just gonna give it my all and I hope that whatever I'm gonna do there [Brazil] 'yun ang hinahanap nila at kung para talaga sa 'yo para talaga sa 'yo,” she told Yahoo's omg.

Aside from winning said title, Supsup also took home special awards Best in Talent, Miss PAL and Miss Cream Silk.

Meanwhile, the Bininibing Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) awarded, for the first time, the Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism crown as replacement to the Binibining Pilipinas-World title, which branched out this year as a separate beauty pageant. Isabella Manjon bagged said crown, while Dianne Necio is this year’s Binibining Pilipinas-International.

Necio, who was the pageant’s first runner-up last year, said that she did not expect winning anything and just left her fate to the Lord.

“I'm just thankful na I will have the chance to compete in an international title... Talagang 'pag 'di mo tinigilan 'yung dream mo, maaabot mo siya... [so] keep on praying,” she added.

More, Janine Tugonon finished in fourth place and Mary Jean Lastimosa, fifth.

Other lucky ladies who took home special awards are Queenierich Rehman (Best in Swimsuit), Luzelle Felipe (Best in Long Gown and Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice), Angelia Ong (People's Choice for the Face of Binibining Pilipinas 2011), Samantha Purvor (Miss Friendship) and Elizabeth Clenci (Best in National Costume).

*** photo courtesy of Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc.

RELINQUISHING THE CROWN

MAJOR, MAJOR By Venus Raj
The Philippine Star
April 10, 2011

Tonight, I shall pass on the crown to whoever is deserving of the title Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2011.
I will never get tired recalling how this journey started. I was just a girl who dared to dream and was generously blessed with people who helped me along the way.

Good or bad, I cherish all memories because I appreciate how everything works out to shape me into a better person every day. But this past year has been extra special for me because it started a new chapter in a way I never imagined. It really was a dream come true.

Both nervous and excited, I still remember my first few days as a beauty queen. The newfound popularity was intimidating because I was aware of the great responsibility that came with it. I was especially not prepared for even more attention particularly surrounding the brief controversy that really tested my faith and resilience. In all of these I was truly blessed with people who were my stronghold. And eventually, everything turned out very well indeed.

I will forever be grateful to Madam Stella Marquez de Araneta, Mr. Jorge Araneta and the Araneta family, as well as the BPCI organization for this opportunity of a lifetime.

Special thanks to the OPMB family and Mabuhay Beauties for campaigning and supporting me during the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas: Boyet Blas, Jory Rivera, Felix Manuel, Raymond Derek Samson, Gino Fernando, John Morante, Dondi, Adam Mears, Darwin Mendoza, Raymond Satalal, Ronald Quilon, Reianna Sanchez, Geoffrey Campaner Hutchinson, Rosalyn Andersen, Sheila Cabuco Butler,Yari Paris, Nikette Henson, Ross Misa and Lia Andrea Ramos, Fortunato Nacua and Mary Doreen Seitz. Thank you also to my dentist, Dr. Ronwaldo Navarro, my dermatologist, Dr. Genevieve de Guzman.

To Paula Shugart and the Miss Universe organization, thank you so much!

To all our mentors and sponsors, thank you for the wisdom and learnings that you have shared with us!

To the past queens, thank you for all the wonderful experiences.
To the GAY COMMUNITY, I salute all of you for being so courageous in fighting for my crown and thank you for always believing in me. 

To my ABS-CBN family, thank you for accepting me wholeheartedly.

To Atty. Francis Papica, Atty. Gigi Berberabe, Atty. Ted Pastrana, Atty. Dickson Berberabe and Atty. Fe Buelva. Thank you guys for being my defense system.

To my ACES and Queens family, my mentor Jonas Antonio Gaffud and Mercator Model and Artist Management, to my mommy Ruffa “Arnold Mercado”, Mama Nad, Kuya Albert, Kuya Arj, Bessy, Edda, John Cuay, direk Jeffrey Jeturian, Tito Ces Evangelista and Tito Gerry Diaz. To my friends, Kuya Jerome, Mama Anjo, Kuya Tyrone. To Kuya Alden and Melody, you will always be in my heart.

To the Municipality of Bato, San Vicente High School faculty, my Bicol University professors. To my best friends Mau, Bubbles and Dunhill and to all my journalism classmates; to Tito Ricky and The Philippine STAR.

To all the Bicolanos, thank you for all the support. To my family, mama, papa, to my beautiful sisters, nene, Ate Inday, Ate Cel and Ate Ning-Ning, you are the best sisters in the world! 

To God, you are my inspiration in everything. I dedicate all these achievements to you. You are the ultimate reason for my existence. I cannot thank you enough. We may excel and fail, but if we have faith in God… everything is a blessing.

This page is not enough to contain the names of all the people I owe this success to, I apologize for missing out some, but be assured you are all in my heart and my love goes out to all of you.

Everybody deserves to have their dreams come true. I had my turn, and it is someone else’s turn this time around.

The next lady who will be crowned tonight will definitely be blessed with a most captivating and transforming experience and I wish her all the best.