Cebuana crowned BPO Queen 2018
Stephie Venice Zanoria Cabahug of Cebu made history as she was hailed as the first ever BPO Queen at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday night.
With the goal of boosting the call center industry’s image as an accepting sector, the search for BPO Queen is a nationwide pageant that pays tribute to the gay and transsexual members of the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry.
A massive number of gay people and transsexuals make up the BPO workforce in the country, so the competition aims to become a platform to showcase their talents, views, and abilities on the way to promote diversity, inclusion, and equality onto the consciousness of the general public.
More than 15 companies from the Philippines’ BPO sector sent representatives for the inaugural staging.
Cabahug, a Queen PhilippinesEarth 2015 titleholder from Mandaue City, bested 24 other candidates for the first BPO Queen crown. A proud champion for the LGBTQ community, the 30-year-old joined the competition in an effort to further show how a transgender woman can be a force for good in society despite moving in a world consumed by “cruelty and anger.”
The process trainer from Cognizant is well aware of the massive efforts needed to foster acceptance and respect in a highly traditional country like the Philippines.
Cabahug, who believes in being a person for others, argued that Filipinos are not ready to see gay men marry, hence the action to turn that prejudice around is by educating the youth for a more tolerant and accepting nation.
Her views on same-sex marriage stresses that “we must start young” and that we must “plant the seeds of knowledge so that in the future, we [the gay community] may be able to express who we are and what we are.”
You can include that sort of honesty in the list of reasons that won Cabahug the maiden crown. Apart from that, the call center employee also spoke about the fine line between confidence and arrogance during the question and answer segment where the top three finalists were asked about when one’s strength becomes their weakest point.
“As what they say, too much of something is bad enough by the Spice Girls. And I believe in that quote. If you are too confident, sometimes it will come out as arrogant that is why sometimes we have to be sensitive with how others perceive you. You have to ask and check with yourself so that you won’t go so strong to other people,” Cabahug answered.
Making up the Cebuana’s court are Nicole Silvestre of Concentrix who won first runner-up and Khloe Candy of Eperformax who was second runner-up.
The pageant’s panel of judges were made up of actress Jef Gaitan, showbiz media writer Jojo Panaligan, Palanca award-winning scriptwriter Eric Cabahug, designer Eddie Baddeo, Mr. Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 George Reylor de Lumen and pageant blogger and organizer Norman Tinio.
Other awardees include Vinci Cuenca of Startek for Best in Future Perfect Costume, Kim Dabu of Teletech for Miss Photogenic and People’s Choice Award, Asia Mariclare of Grab Philippine’s for Best in Talent, and Denise Gecain from Teleperformance for Best in Evening Gown and Best in Swimsuit.
Hosted by singer-actor Mark Bautista, the coronation night featured performances from international acts such as trans singer Jake Zyrus, “American Idol” finalist Jessica Sanchez, and DJ Callum David. The cast of the 2017 gay film “Deadma Walking,” Edgar Allan Guzman and Joross Gamboa, also graced the show, while “I Can See Your Voice Korea” sensation Sephy Francisco – also a gay call center agent – performed for the crowd.
Cabahug, a member of the Model’s Association of Cebu, took to social media to thank everyone who aided her in her BPO Queen 2018 journey such as Cebuano designers Dino Lloren, Mel Maria, and Lenard Timothy Arguelles.
She also expressed her gratitude for gaining new sisters on her way to the crown.
“To the BPO Queen committee, thank you for taking care of us since day one. To my newfound 24 beautiful sisters, I will miss every single one of you. Thank you for the friendship! Thank you to my company Cognizant for the all-out support. I am very proud to belong in an organization that supports the LGBT community,” wrote Cabahug.