Pageant ignored qualities that make a worthy and true Miss Universe

The results of the 2011 Miss Universe Pageant show utter disregard of the non-tangible criteria of what a Miss Universe ought to be. First, even granting that the five finalists are ranked equally on physical beauty, grace, walk and speech, still Shamcey is a cut above the rest, including Miss Angola, because her resumé makes the others pale in comparison: Miss Philippines is valedictorian, magna cum laude and board exam topnotcher.

Besides, in the Q&A portion, the non-English speaking beauties had the technical advantage of pausing and preparing their answers while their interpreters were delivering their answers in English. Unlike Miss Angola (who will now need an interpreter wherever she does her Miss Universe role), Shamcey answered Viveca Fox’s question confidently in straight English, revealing not only her mental alertness but a woman’s respect for religion and love of God.

Without an interpreter in tow, Shamcey can thereby face any crowd or dignitary. All these qualities, not sheer beauty, make her the true representation of what a Miss Universe is.

—POMPEYO S. PEDROCHE, [email protected]