Shamcey Supsup on being the National Director of Miss Universe Philippines: 'At first nga talaga, I was kinda scared'

Shamcey Supsup-Lee, as the National Director of the Miss Universe Philippines, is inspired to lead the new organization to find the best and the most promising candidates who can represent the country in the future editions of the Miss Universe pageant.

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) organization held a press conference at the Empire Studios in Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City where the former beauty queen revealed some exciting details about her new position.

READ: What to expect from Miss Universe Philippines

In her own words, “To be honest, when I first heard of this, I was quite hesitant. You can call me the hesitant beauty queen.

“But, you know, because of the time that's gonna be taken away from me. I have work, I am a full-time mom, I also have businesses. And then, thinking about it, parang that is the reason why it was given to [me], because [they] are looking for a multi-faceted woman.

“Aside from just being a beauty queen that people look up to me, now, I have a big hand in helping them create a better future for themselves and for their family.”

Supsup-Lee also mentioned how supportive her husband is for the new journey she's taking on as the National Director for MUPh.

“He was very supportive. Sab inga niya, opportunities like this don't come often, sometimes it comes once in a lifetime. Kumbaga, if it was given to you, there might be a purpose for that.”

Shamcey added that she will be a “very hands-on leader” in her own way.

“Kung sila Mama J (Jonas Gaffud, the Creative Director of MUPh) and the other team, they're really looking forward to getting another Miss Universe crown. I let them handle that.

“For me, what I want, is that for all the girls who are going to be part of Miss Universe Philippines, that I'll be able to leave them with something.

“As a mom, how do I want my daughter to grow up to be? Like, ano yung gusto kong ma-impart sa kanila? As simple as that, I feel like I'm already having an impact in their lives as well.”

According to Miss Universe Philippines 2011, the organization is looking for contestants who are authentic.

“I always tell the girls you stick with your values, you stick with what you believe in. That would make life easier for you, you'll be authentic. It's hard kasi if you're gonna put [on] a mask. We're really looking for authenticity.”

Also a magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Shamcey clarified that MUPh puts more emphasis on the candidate's "heart."

“Not really the brain. I always tell the girls na you don't have to be magna cum laude or summa cum laude or have an IQ of this, it's really about the heart.

“And of course, with the help of the team, we will train you on how to express yourself. But the most important thing is 'yung laman, 'yung content. But how you express it, how you communicate it, that can be trained.”

Finally, Shamcey remarked on why former beauty queens make good National Directors.

“I think it's because we went through the same journey, that maybe we could relate to the girls and be able to really know what's good for them, how to help them. Kasi nga, we've been in that same path before, but I think to be a successful in an organization, it really needs the help of everybody.

“The reason why they handed me the National Director position was not because I was a past beauty queen, but because I've handled organizations and businesses. You have to know paano patakbuhin yung isang organization such as this.”

However, the current National Director clarified that while she will be at the forefront of MUP, the attention will not be focused on her.

“I never felt na this is a comeback or something. So, this one, the spotlight is not gonna be on me. It's gonna be on our candidates, and of course, to our potential winner.”

“At first nga talaga, I was kinda scared to be honest, because it is something that I've never done before and it's a big responsibility. But with the help of the team and the directors with me, we're very confident that we'll be able to produce a pageant that has prestige and something you can be proud of as a Filipino.

“So, I'm very honored [and] I'm very happy that I am now in this position and I hope that I'll be able to make a lot of people proud.”