By Allen Estabillo
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 20 (PNA) – Wild cheers and enthusiastic smiles greeted 2011 Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup as she finally returned home to this city Tuesday morning to a rousing hero’s welcome and homecoming celebration “fit for a returning queen.”
Thousands of residents crowded the city’s main streets to get a glimpse of the returning beauty queen, who practically captured the world’s attention following her impressive win at the 60th Miss Universe pageant last week in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Shamcey, who was accompanied by her mother Marcey, arrived at the city airport here at around 9:05 a.m. aboard a private jet from Manila amid a colorful welcome cultural presentation and an upbeat tune from a waiting brass band.
She was met by her father Timoteo, city officials led by Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. as well hundreds of other well-wishers.
Shamcey, who appeared elegant in a white and blue gown adorned with her Miss Universe sash, was later joined by her parents, Mayor Custodio and Rep. Acharon in the royalty-themed float prepared by the city government for the motorcade from the city airport to the city’s downtown area.
During the nearly two-hour motorcade, local residents as well as workers and students came out and lined up along the sides of the city’s streets to cheer the 25-year-old beauty queen, who grew up in Barangay Katangawan here.
Several government and private office buildings also displayed tarpaulins and streamers welcoming Shamcey and congratulating her Miss Universe feat.
An estimated 5,000 people met Shamcey’s motorcade at the city hall complex’s grounds at the vicinity of the nearby oval plaza covered court, where a brief welcome program and press conference was held.
“This is our way of showing our deep appreciation to Shamcey for bringing honor and pride to the city of General Santos,” Mayor Custodio said during the homecoming program.
During the press conference, Shamcey thanked local residents and officials for supporting her Miss Universe stint and for the rousing homecoming celebration.
“I’m so excited and really happy to be back home. I can’t thank you enough for the all-out support that you gave given to me these past months,” she said.
Organizers of Shamcey’s homecoming celebration said the beauty queen will take a three-hour break before her scheduled visit this Tuesday afternoon to her relatives and friends in Barangay Katangawan.
At 6 p.m. she is scheduled to grace a mini variety show and special tribute organized by the city government at the city gymnasium in Barangay Lagao.