Shamcey leads Miss Universe online poll

Filipinos are again proving their online power. Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Shamcey Supsup is leading the race in the 2011 Miss Universe online poll, whose winner automatically gets to the Top 16 semi-finalists.

This is the first time in the pageant’s 60-year history  that organizers are involving fans worldwide to vote for a contestant to advance to the semi-finals. Those living in countries joining the pageant can vote for their representatives until September 11 through the Miss Universe’s and NBC’s official websites.

Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. said in  a statement released in ‘Bandila’ that Shamcey got a total of 25 percent of votes for a total of 1,578 votes. Puerto Rico’s Viviana Ortiz comes in second with 745 votes.

Shamcey expressed gratitude to her kababayans for their support. Before she left for Brazil, Shamcey said that her supporters are her lucky charm. Filipinos can vote for Shamcey 10 times a day per e-mail address.

“Thank you for always praying for me and supporting me. It has been a roller-coaster ride and I'm getting my strength from all the Filipinos who kept on sending me messages on FB and Twitter. Thank you. I will be doing my best,” Shamcey’s statement said.

Shamcey, with her 1,288,817 votes, is also leading another online poll by Telemundo network. She is followed by representative from Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Meanwhile, Shamcey shared her experience with Operation Smile’s free surgery mission with cleft palate patients as beneficiaries. Shamcey feels fulfilled and happy since she’s in a position to help more people, now that she’s a Miss Universe contestant.

“You could see them so happy to find their children well and cured. So it was a fulfilling experience. God has really placed me here for a higher purpose that is to help and give hope,” Shamcey’s statement says.

This year’s Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paolo, Brazil on September 12.