MANILA, Philippines—With Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup finishing third-runner up in the Miss Universe 2011 beauty pageant, “Go Philippines” landed on Twitter’s top global trending topics Monday, after the competition was aired on TV, watched by an estimated one billion people around the world.
“Since Go Philippines is still a trending topic, then Go Philippines!!!” said @lionel_agir.
“Go Philippines” was second-most trending topic worldwide on the microblogging site where Filipinos expressed their pride and support for Supsup.
“Ms. Shamcey, congrats for winning the 3rd place… Go Philippines!!!” said @airen_kismet.
“Congratulations Shamcey Supsup!! for me ur a true winner in question & answer GOD is ur #1,” said @remyvil.
“We almost ‘got’ it! Whew! Well, the world knows HOW great @supsup_shamcey did! Go Philippines!” said I_am_JonVerzosa.
“congratulation ms. SHAMCEY SUPSUP; once again pasok na naman ang philippines sa top 5, we are very proud of you……. Go Philippines,” said @iam_ethyl.
Never underestimate the power of the Filipina! Go Shamcey! Go Philippines!♥,” said TBBS Store.
“If we can’t conquer the court, conquer the universe! Go @shamcey_upsup! Go Philippines!” said @ I_amHolo.
Some fans were bittered by Supsup’s not winning the title.
“It should be a rule of thumb that a contestant will not be crowned Ms Universe if she can’t speak ENGLISH!!! Go Philippines!” said @MeGzTeR.
Supsup answered her question without the benefit of a translator: “Would you change your religious belief to marry the person that you love?”
Supsup answered, “I would not marry the person I love because the first person I love is my God and (if) the person loves me, he should also love my God.” Supsup ranked first among the fans in the vote for the top 5 candidates and second in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
“It’s a big factor that Shamcey was the only one who didn’t need a translator! I’m so glad we’re all taught to speak English! Go Philippines!” said @maxenemagalona.
“Im proud of u @shamcey!! infairness to us we dont need an interpreter!!” said @ashseb.
“Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lopes said when asked by Filipina Broadway star Lea Salonga in her interview question. “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.”
“i’m curious how Leah Salonga felt knowing that she threw a question that’s been asked over and over in pageants with which every candidate knows the perfect answer for it. She could have been our trojan horse…,” said @freshpective.
Some tried to catch up since Go Philippines was still trending few hours after the pageant was over.
“Just got home from work.. Need to catch Shamcey’s moment at Miss Universe 2011… Go Go Philippines,” said @Chris Lee Betorin.
“Runner Up” and “Top 16” were placed on the fourth and fifth top trending topics as of posting time.
The first runner-up was 23-year-old Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine, second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil and the fourth runner-up, Miss China.—Danica Hermogenes