Shamcey comes to Ariella’s rescue, says statement on Latinas misunderstood

MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup defended Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Ariella Arida about a recent statement she made on national television regarding Latina beauty queens.

Shamcey said Ariella’s comment during an interview with Karen Davila in ANC’s morning show “Headstart” was taken out of context. Ariella appeared in the show before she headed to Moscow, Russia for the Miss Universe competition.

In the interview, Arida talked about her English communication skills, saying she prefers the use of the language “to really express myself, to convey a message to the people.”

“Especially, Latinas cannot even speak a sentence, right? I mean, a complete sentence, in English,” she added.

Related article: Mo Twister slams Ariella Arida over 'offensive' comment about Latinas

Ariella has since drew flak from some circles because of the interview, with DJ Mo Twister calling her out for what he perceived as an "offensive" comment on Latinas. She has apologized for the incident.

Also read: Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Ariella Arida apologizes for 'offensive' comment

Shamcey, for her part, believes otherwise.

“What Aria is saying is that she doesn’t have to be fluent in English to be able to answer because it’s the idea behind it,” Shamcey said in an interview Thursday afternoon, Oct. 24.

“And she may also say na baka may iba naman na they don’t answer in English, they answer in their native language, but they still have the crown or they still win,” she added. “Ibig sabihin it’s not about English or Tagalog, she doesn’t mean naman siguro na di sila marunong.”

Meanwhile, the beauty queen-turned-host says she gives her full support to Ariella for the Miss Universe pageant this Nov. 5.

“Before she went to Russia, we had training with her,” she recalled. “So we talked about everything, we discussed things, parang open forum. I asked her how she feels, what she thinks is still lacking, what she wants me to share.”

After few days of training with her, Shamcey declared that Ariella is “so ready na, e. Kasi she has this personality, it only comes out when she’s with friends.

“Pero sabi ko, wag niyang isipinag ganun. Wag niyang iisipin kung anong sasabihin nila, what they will comment.  So you just have to be yourself, don’t think about what they’ll gonna say, kasi kapag ganun she’ll hold back,” she continued.

Though Ariella said she doesn’t feel any pressure for the upcoming competition after Janine Tugonon placed first in the 2012 Miss Universe pageant and Megan Young was crowned the Miss World 2013, Shamcey knows that Ariella feels that all eyes are on her.

Nevertheless, she advises her that “It doesn’t really matter if you win or not, syempre you aim to win, pero whatever happens you make Filipinos proud because you’ve done your best, you represented your country and that’s already a remarkable role.”