The FEAT of a FILIPINA

“If I had to change my religious beliefs, I will not marry the person that I love because the first person that I love is God, who created me. And I have my faith, my principles, and this is what makes me who I am. And if that person loves me, he should love my God, too.”

-       Shamcey Supsup, Ms. Universe 2011 3^rd Runner up

The decade-long drought of the Philippines for not placing in the Search for the most beautiful woman in the Universe was finally over when one more successful Filipina subsequent to Ma. Venus Raj’s win brought home another pride and prestige to the country. Looking back on the last year’s competition, it can be said that the pageant was really tough and rough to our Filipina candidate since she had been through a lot of trials that almost prevented her from carrying the Philippines’ banner to the international arena.

However, this year’s search for the most beautiful woman in the entire universe went totally and absolutely great. True to the encounter of the Philippines’ very own 25 year-old topnotch architect and bet, Shamcey Gurrea Supsup. By all means, she was able to make it to the competition very smoothly. Shamcey is indeed, a perfect epitome of a Filipina’s beauty and brains for having surpassed the preliminary of 16 up to the top 5 finish of the pageant.

At this juncture, let’s get to know more about this Filipina beauty who made another “tsunami” mark in the international arena.

All Eyes on Shamcey

Shamcey Gurrea Supsup was born on May 16, 1986. She was crowned as the Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2011 on April 10, 2011 and became the eventual candidate of the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2011 beauty pageant held in Sao Paulo, Brazil last September 12, 2011. She was born in Iligan City and grew up in General Santos City, Philippines. Shamcey was a total achiever. She graduated salutatorian from Makati High School. In college, she took up a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and graduated as Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.  After graduation, Shamcey took the Philippine Architectural Board Examination 2010 and eventually ranked No. 1 amongst all the takers nationwide with a grade of 86.60 percent.

On Being Novice

          Before joining the Binibining Pilipinas pageant early this year, Shamcey had no prior modeling or pageant experience. To recall, she was working as a construction architect when she signed up for the said competition. In her appearances on the television as one of the official candidates of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, Shamcey surprised her college friends, professors and even her workmates as her participation was really unexpected for them. Shamcey was noted as “boyish” way back then. And as far as they knew her, she would not even wear sleeveless blouses and skirt. But Shamcey made a vast transformation during the competition.

          Even with no prior experience, Shamcey was able to make it to the competition and bagged three (3) other awards. She was exceptional in her very own way and she knew how to carry herself very well – enabling her to outshine among the other candidates.

Once in a Lifetime Experience

          A couple of months before the most-awaited Miss Universe pageant, Shamcey had a personal development training along with other candidates where she was also able to build strong friendship with the ladies. She also spent time learning the Spanish language as she believed that this is the best way to communicate since most of the candidates are Spanish-speaking. During the competition, the Philippines’ bet was leading all the way to the online voting via the official website of Miss Universe. Shamcey then owned a spot in the Top 16 and boosted her all way up to the Top 5 finalists. She constantly ranked 2^nd in all exposures except for the Long Gown where she ranked 1^st among the Top 10 finalists. Shamcey became even known because of her “tsunami” catwalk during the pageant. Of course, her answer during the final interview also made a strike; it showed what a true Filipina is – a genuine believer of Christ.

          According to Gus De Castro, Araneta Group’s Training Manager that Shamcey Supsup’s triumph would translate to the Philippines’ continuous placement, and eventual win in the Miss Universe Pageant since it has been in the year 1969 that a Filipina brought home the crown.

          Meanwhile, Shamcey Supsup’s experience this year was indeed, remarkable. Aside from her beauty and her figure, she is also a woman of substance. And that is clearly depicted in all her achievements that she has had in her young life.

          Now, Shamcey’s back in the Philippines and was warmly welcomed by every Filipino and the natives of General Santos City. Shamcey Supsup is presently advocating for a quality education here in the Philippines. With high hopes and expectations, she promised to do all the dirty works just to uplift the image of education in our country.

          Surely, everyone is totally ecstatic as early as now to seeing the loom of the next candidates to the Binibining Pilipinas pageant following the success of those Filipinas who exerted a ton of effort just to grab a spot in the most prestigious pageant in the whole universe.  Let us all be hopeful for our next Filipina candidate and her another triumphant story to tell.

Beauty at its Finest: MISS COC-PHINMA 2011

Sheila Mae Relevo smiles after her make-up session with Jiji Aisa, image stylist.

         Fascinating stage decorations, colorful and vivid lights plus stunning and witty ladies – all these and more made the 2011 Search for Miss COC-Phinma a success. The annual beauty pageant had just culminated last February 4, 2011 at the COC-Phinma Auditorium which was graced by the ever dynamic school president, Dr. Chito B. Salazar along with the school’s EVP-COO, Engr. Raymundo P. Reyes. Students from the various colleges were all the way ecstatic and supportive to their respective representatives to vie for the title and crown.

          This year’s competition was indeed, a battle of beauty and brains.  The nine lovely candidates have proven themselves to the audience that they were certainly beautiful and outstanding among the female COCeans. With all the sophisticated looks, enthralling charm, captivating smiles and smart answers – they have filled the audience with steep thrill and cluelessness as to whom among the ladies will emerge as the Miss COC-Phinma 2011.

          The tilt started with the candidates’ production number and introduction which was then followed by the showcase of finest cocktails and glamorous gowns designed by Cagayan de Oro’s pride in the Fashion Industry, Mr. Alquin Cap-atan and Mr. Gil Macaibay III. Moreover, the pageant was not completed without its most awaited part, the question and answer portion.

          The candidates were asked to describe the picture illustrated on the big screen and tasked to relate it to the present condition of the Philippines. Certainly, all of them were intelligent and beautiful but as appallingly, in every competition, there must only be one who would outstand and eventually come into view as winner.

However, during the course of the pageant, Nehaya Adap of the College of Management and Accountancy won quite a few awards both major and minors as well as Erika Jose Oliveros of the College of Nursing. By the end of the snappy 3-hour show, Sheila Mae Relevo of the College of Education proved herself to be the fairest among the rest for bringing home the title and crown.

Out of her expectations, Sheila Mae Relevo confided to her supporters that she did not expect to win as she was just doing her task being the chosen representative of their college. But with full support and proper training, she won the fight and brought prestige to the College of Education.

Some time this summer, the CSG is planning to give Sheila Mae Relevo another training to harness her skills and potential and definitely represent Cagayan de Oro College-Phinma Eudcation Network to this year’s search for the most beautiful lady in the city – Miss Kagay-an 2011.

May COC-Phinma continuously adhere to its mission and vision as well as to its venture of shaping up the totality of the COCeans and bring out the best in them for God’s greater glory and for the welfare of the entire humanity.

          

Semi-Final Exam

3. Suppose you have already discussed the poem Miniver Cheevy in your class. Construct 4 questions that would process students understanding about the theme of the poem. 20 points. 

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1.  How will you describe Miniver Cheevy based on the poem? 

2.  What do you think is Miniver Cheevy’s dilemma in the poem? If you were on his shoes, how will you deal with it?   

3.  Why do you think Miniver Cheevy is being looked down by the people in the society?   

4.  How will you compare Miniver Cheevy from Richard Cory? 

Top of Form

Semi-Final Exam

2.  Compare and contrast Miniver with Richard Cory. Miniver Cheevy is the subject of another Robinson’s poem. Limit to 200 words only.30 points.

     Both Richard and Miniver were shunned from society neither having any real friends. Though these characters have some similarities, the way in which Robinson portrays them is very different. Richard Cory is admired by his peers, whereas, Miniver Cheevy is opposite; people look down on him. One man appearing to have everything takes his own life, while the other appearing to have nothing accepts his misery. For Richard Cory, the saying money can’t buy happiness, could not be more appropriate. He is, according to the people of the town, the man with everything. Everyone wished they could be more like him, “he had everything to make us wish that we were in his place”. 

     In contrast to Miniver Cheevy, he had nothing to be admired for, he had done nothing with his life and yet he longed to have the adoration that Richard Cory had, the respect and almost kingly qualities, “he was a gentleman from sole to crown”. Miniver Cheevy wanted to be the hero that Cory was to the people on the street. “Miniver mourned the ripe renown that made so many a name so fragrant.” 

Semi-Final Exam

1. Everyone has met Richard Cory. Someone who suffers inner turmoil but appears outwardly calm. How did you deal with such personality? Write a descriptive essay about this idea.  (There is no need to mention the person's name.) Limit to 300 words only. 35 points

Problems are spices of life as they say. It makes us grow more mature and more flexible enough to face our future. These problems, which are just but natural can cause changes – whether positive or negative.  Who would love to face dilemmas most of time? Obviously, there is no one. So, one would instantly search for the solution of his every problem. In fact, some would resort to what they call an easy way out while there are also some who love to dance with their problems, take each easy step at a time until they find the panacea to their problems that they have been looking for.

I have known a person who seemed to be so free from problems, worries and who was very calm outwardly. Whenever you look at her, you would really tell yourself how lucky she was for having that kind of personality. She was well-off and she was sent to a prominent university by her parents but after she graduated, she wasn’t able to land a job due to lack of self-esteem to apply for one. But despite that, she remained to be still and steady with her life.

            One day, a great turmoil came to her life. Such turmoil caused her to feel bitter about life. She changed a lot. She began to isolate herself from her friends and never talked to anyone. She seldom went out from their house and we didn’t even hear any news about her from her family. We wondered why we no longer seeing her. Until such time that we discovered from a neighbor that this person was facing a great shame due to her wrong decisions in life. Later on, we discovered that her nude videos have been uploaded to the internet. We resented to what happened to her. So, we decided to help her by blocking the user who uploaded her videos. Now, we can no longer access her video. Thank God for the culprit was already blocked.

            After what had happened, the guilt and shame still remained to her and due to that, she tend to end her very own precious life. We were all alarmed upon hearing the news that she committed suicide. However, we proved to ourselves that God really works in ways we cannot see. God extended her life and gave her a brand new life – a life free from condemnation.

            She sought for God’s forgiveness from the mistakes that she had committed from the past as well as forgave herself to bring back her self-respect.  Today, she is serving in the church and inspiring others through her life testimony.

RETELLING A REFLECTIVE STORY: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Beauty and the Beast

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The rich merchant not only has three daughters but also three sons who have little to do with the story. All the girls are good looking, particularly the youngest who becomes known as Little Beauty. The sisters are vain and jealous of Beauty who is by contrast modest and charming and wishes to stay with her father.

All of a sudden the family loses its money and is forced into a poorer lifestyle which makes life more difficult all around and exaggerates the differences between Beauty and her sisters. Beauty and the three brothers throw themselves into working for their new life while the sisters are bored. The father takes a trip in the hopes of regaining his wealth, and the older sisters demand he bring them expensive garments. Beauty asks simply for a rose.

The father is unsuccessful in his attempt to regain his wealth and in despair, wandering in the forest, is trapped in a snow storm. He comes upon a seemingly deserted palace where he finds food and shelter for the night. In the morning he wanders into the garden where he sees the perfect rose for Beauty. Upon plucking it, a hideous Beast appears and says that for his thievery he must die. The father begs for his life and, the Beast agrees to let him go if one of his daughters will take his place. If she refuses, then he must return to die himself. The Beast gives him a chest filled with gold and sends him home. This treasure enables the older daughters to make fashionable marriages. On giving Beauty the rose, her father cannot help but tell her what happened. The brothers offer to slay the Beast but the father knows that they would die in the process. Beauty insists on taking her father’s place, and so she returns with him to the Beast’s palace where he reluctantly leaves her.

In a dream Beauty sees a beautiful lady who thanks her for her sacrifice and says that she will not go unrewarded. The Beast treats her well; all her wishes are met by magic. He visits her every evening for supper and gradually Beauty grows to look forwards to these meetings as a break to the monotony of her life. At the end of each visit the Beast asks Beauty to be his wife, which she refuses although agreeing never to leave the palace. Beauty sees in the magic mirror that her father is desperately missing her and asks that she might return to visit him. The Beast assents on the condition that she return in seven days, lest he die.

The next morning she is at home. Her father is overjoyed to see her but the sisters are once again jealous of Beauty, her newly found happiness and material comfort with the Beast. They persuade Beauty to stay longer, which she does, but on the tenth night she dreams of the Beast who is dying. Wishing herself back with him, she is transported back to the castle where she finds the Beast dying of a broken heart. She realizes that she is desperately in love with the Beast and says that she would gladly marry him. At this the Beast is transformed into a prince, the Father joins them at the palace and the sisters are turned into statues until they own up to their own faults.

The Prince and Beauty live happily ever after because their "contentment is founded on goodness."

DESCRIPTIVE PATTERN ORGANIZER

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION VIA BLOG

3. Create your own motivational strategy showing the use of Student-Centered Theory to introduce a topic in literature.Discuss how you will implement the strategy. Make your own title and identify the materials to be used.


Title: BRIDGE THE GAP

Material: WORD from a SONG LYRICS 

Implementation:
      
        Since we will be dealing with stories, it's a good thing that we stimulate our students' interests first. With the aid of this so-called "Bridge the Gap" motivation strategy, we will be able to unlock the tediousness as well as the timidity of our students in terms of participating in class discussions. Here's the thing:
.The teacher will be the one to start the activity by singing a particular line of a song and ends up with a word.
.The first student will then continue to sing a song using the last word uttered by the teacher.
.The second up to the last student shall continue singing using the same word uttered by the latter to have a smooth and continuous flow of activity. 
.Be sure that the strategy will be spontaneous. Avoid delay which will drag the activity.


Good Luck!


Note: this motivational strategy aims to fostering the learners' quick-thinking skills and spontaneity of thoughts which will be very helpful later on in the discussion of the story.

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION VIA BLOG

2. Construct a concept map showing the advantages and disadvantages of the Transmission Approach in teaching literature. Limit each to four entries.