WITH her 3rd runner-up victory in the Miss Universe beauty pageant, Shamcey Supsup could be tapped as the country?s tourism endorser, the lawmakers said.
Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Everdone and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casi?o said that she, together with boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, can help the government promote tourism and can even attract investors.
Evardone likewise suggested to include internationally-acclaimed singer Lea Salonga in a group that can sell the country to the world and boost tourist arrivals.
?She made us proud again. I hope her victory will erase the negative image of the country brought by the Luneta tragedy,? Evardone said.
Casi?o expressed hope that Supsup can help resolve the problem in the Spratly Islands between the Philippines and China whose bet in the pageant placed 4th runner-up, behind Supsup.
?How I wish the Spratlys dispute were as easily resolved in our favor as this,? Casi?o said.
?We are also looking forward to working with Shamcey on our common advocacies for environment and bio-safety,? he added.
Meanwhile, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla said she will file a resolution seeking to honor Supsup for the honor she brought to the country.
Leila Lopes of Angola was crowned the 60th Miss Universe, making her the first titleholder from her country, while Ms. Ukraine Olesya Stefanko was 1st runner-up, Ms. Brazil Priscila Machado, 2nd runner-up and Ms. China Luo Zilin, 4th runner-up.
A native of General Santos City, Supsup was born on May 16, 1986. She graduated from the University of the Philippines-Diliman as magna cum laude with a degree in architecture. She also topped the Architecture Licensure Examination in July last year.
Miriam protests
Believing that Supsup deserves to win the Ms.Universe crown, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is contemplating to protest the result of the pageant.
?I’m going to file a protest if possible. All the ratings rated Ms.Philippines very, very high. And I thought it would at least be a contest between her and Ms.Ukraine,? Santiago told reporters. With Bernadette E. Tamayo
