While we’re already aware of her gregarious personality through her stint in “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition,” we got to see more of it during her lighthearted, reflective, and heartwarming conversation with "Kuan On One" host Kuantie Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, as they talked about her journey from being a simple island lass in Bantayan, Cebu, to becoming a fast-rising star here in Manila City.
As what many of us probably know already, she was born in her mother’s hometown of Bantayan Island, Cebu. Being the eldest among nine siblings in a poor and dysfunctional family, she has taken on the responsibility of helping her parents take care of her younger siblings, as well as of making both ends meet for their family.
Despite her traumatic experiences there, the “Island Ate ng Cebu” was still able to create memorable and beautiful childhood memories, some of which involved her maternal grandmother, who took care of her and spoiled her so much. In return, she helped her lola with her small food business by being the one to sell by the seashore the rice cakes, banana cue, and maruya that she cooked.
Shuvee may consider Bantayan Island her home forever and always, but not a lot of people perhaps know that she actually spent most of her life at her father’s hometown of Polomolok, South Cotabato. In fact, there was an old candid photo of her walking with her paternal aunt in one of the streets there, which was posted on a Facebook page and Kuantie Melai showed to her during the interview.
The memory reminded her of the time when she was bullied at school due to her physical appearance, particularly her dark and uneven complexion. What helped boost her confidence was joining beauty pageants, which started when her aunt pushed her to join in sixth grade.
It was also her physical appearance that got her rejected in her bid to become a majorette. Although she got the skills, she was told to just play the lyre instead upon seeing her legs. Regardless, she still accepted the position offered to her, learned how to play the lyre, and did everything she could to be the best.
Watch out for “Kuan On One’s” all-new guests, such as popular Bisdak artists, influencers, content creators, and beauty queens, when a new episode drops every Tuesday on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s official YouTube channel and iWant.