MANILA, Philippines—It seemed more like a beauty pageant than a wedding, with statuesque women in designer gowns lining up. Only this time, the winner had been chosen even before the ceremony began.
The event was the wedding of beauty queen Shamcey Supsup, 27, and her boyfriend of more than two years, businessman Lloyd Lee, at the Church of the Risen Lord on the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City Sunday afternoon. The Christian ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Noel Erese.
It was at the same university that Supsup earned her Architecture degree, magna cum laude. She later topped the licensure examination for architects.
Supsup, who placed fourth in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant, arrived in a white limousine. She looked radiant in her off-the-shoulder white lace serpentine wedding gown designed by Cherry Samuya Veric.
Her entourage included her best friend and 2011 Binibining Pilipinas second runnerup Mary Jean Lastimosa, and 2010 Mutya ng Pilipinas runnerup and Bb. Pilipinas batchmate Caroline Ty, both of whom donned eye-catching outfits created by celebrity designer Veejay Floresca.
Also among the towering well-wishers were Supsup’s predecessor, 2010 Miss Universe fourth runnerup Venus Raj, 2013 Miss Universe third runnerup Ariella Arida, 2012 Miss Supranational third runner up Elaine Kay Moll, 2011 Bb. Pilipinas semifinalist and radio anchor Tina Marasigan, 2012 Miss World semifinalist and Bb. Pilipinas batchmate Queneerich Rehman, 2008 Miss International semifinalist and TV host Patricia Fernandez, 2012 Miss World Philippines first runnerup Mary Ann Ross Misa, 2011 Miss World Philippines first runnerup and 2010 Bb. Pilipinas second runnerup Nicolette Henson, former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe titleholders Jennifer Barrientos and Bianca Manalo, and former Bb. Pilipinas contestant Selena Antonio.
Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. chair Stella Marquez-Araneta was a principal sponsor.
It was the groom who wept the most during the hourlong ceremony. As Shamcey began walking down the aisle with her parents, Timoteo and Marcelina Supsup, Lee was already wiping away tears, his nose running and he was flushed.
But when he received his bride at the altar, the tears turned into a big smile.
Lee, whose beige suit was created by couturier Francis Libiran, told in his vows of how he had hesitated to pursue the beauty queen. He said that the first time he beheld Shamcey, at her 25th birthday party, he saw in her the qualities of a pageant winner.
For her part, Supsup confessed it was “love at first sight” with Lee.
“He didn’t ask for my number, so I researched about him on Facebook. That’s how it started. Then he texted me, saying ‘Call me crazy, but I’m the one you have been wishing for.’ I thought he was really crazy, but so was I,” said Shamcey.
She confessed she didn’t believe in true love and noted how many romances ended in separation. “But everything changed when I met you. I already believe that there’s a love worth living for,” she said.
Lee said he saw how truly beautiful Shamcey was because of her “kindness and genuineness.”
“The first time we talked, we discussed how you commuted to the gym. On our dates, we’d go to UP and eat fishballs and take the ikot jeep,” Lee said.
“There are no dull moments with her. I also admire her values and principles and her strong faith in God. Every man would be lucky to have her for a wife,” Lee said.
Supsup responded: “I have found the perfect husband.”
The beauty queen revealed that Lee was her first and only boyfriend. “I believe God has a purpose why he did not let me have a relationship with other men before. He was preparing me for you, only you. He made our relationship perfect,” Supsup declared.
The nuptials were sealed with a five-second kiss, which received thunderous applause from the guests.
Stepping out of the church, the newlyweds and their friends released yellow balloons and a rain of confetti, which was again punctuated by a never-ending kiss.
