Shuvee Etrata (Images courtesy of Instagram)

It all started with a smile.

Kapuso star Shuvee Etrata shared a joyful video on TikTok, her radiant smile lighting up the screen during the peak of the pandemic. In that moment, captured by the warmth of her laughter, her life transformed in ways she could never have imagined. She woke up with millions, all thanks to her bright smile.

It didn't stop there. Shuvee's rise to stardom after she joined the Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition. Her status as a housemate even made her more popular, with millions of followers on social media.

Shuvee's rise to stardom escalated after joining Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition, where she was known as "The Island Ate of Cebu."  Her status as a housemate further boosted her popularity, garnering millions of followers on social media.

The former content creator turned Kapuso star is now one of the most sought-after celebrities, with numerous endorsements and television shows lined up for her.

But life wasn't really easy for Shuvee. She recalled her sacrifices as a. breadwinner in Cebu during an interview with award-winning broadcaster Shuvee Etrata for "Magpakailanman" recently.

"When I was in 8th Grade, I joined beauty pageants. Doon ko binawi ang confidence ko. Kahit hindi ako nananalo sa mga barangay pageant, ang goal ko lang talaga doon is yung P500 na consolation prize. Pambigas na namin yun. So lahat ng barangay pinupuntahan ng kaibigan kong makeup artist. (When I was in 8th Grade, I joined beauty pageants. That's where I regained my confidence. Even though I didn't win the barangay pageants, my only goal there was the P500 consolation prize. That was my reward. So my makeup artist friend and I went to every barangay)," Shuvee said.

The aspiring doctor stated that she never neglected her studies, but she had to stop attending school due to financial constraints.

"I juggled both back then: school and pageants. It was okay for me because pageantry is a passion. Hindi ko rin napapabayaan ang studies. I was 14 or 15 then," she said.

Shuvee had Swiss sponsors for her studies. "My mom worked in a Swiss company. I want to be a doctor. I was an incoming third-year student when the pandemic occurred—online school was all we had."

Then she had to stop school because of an outstanding tuition balance. "Nagagamit po siya ng parents ko. Wala na po kasi silang work so nagagastos yung pinapadala sa amin. Marami po kami. Nine po kami. (My parents have used all the money. They no longer have jobs, so they spent the money that was intended for my school. There are nine of us in the family.)"

Shuvee said it was only last year that she informed the sponsors of what had happened to the money. "They (sponsors) were expecting me to graduate from college. They want me to go to Switzerland to complete my education there. My sponsors were not aware of my being in showbiz. I was so honest with them about the outstanding school balance."

At first, Shuvee said the sponsors were very disappointed about what had happened. The sponsors, she said, treated her as their daughter.

"But last week, I saw them, and they were happy with my success," she said.

Let's get to know Shuvee more in the Slam Book interview for the Manila Bulletin Entertainment:

1) If you're a superhero, what would your power be and why?

Gusto ko ‘yung superpower na teleportation para napupuntahan ko ‘yung family ko anytime. Tapos, punta akong Paris anytime, parang ganon, parang anytime shift lang, and then nasa ibang lugar na ako.

2) If you are stranded on a deserted island and could only bring three items, what would they be?

First siguro na dadalhin ko is lighter. Next is a camping bag, ‘yung parang essentials ng camping. And then third, kailangan ko ng insect repellant or anything siguro na magpapasaya sa akin doon or mga essentials na lang din yung knife para may magamit talaga ko, and then I can live for a solo vacay.

3) If you could create a law that everyone had to follow, what would it be?

I know there are already many laws that protect the environment, but I would love to make another law that also empowers people to speak up. For example, in my island, plastic usage is still very common despite existing laws and ordinances. This law would give people more freedom and support to voice out what needs to be done and actively push others to protect the environment.

4) Who was your first celebrity crush?

If I were to backtrack, grade 6, d’un ako unang nag fangirling, si Daniel Padilla talaga. Siya ang first profile picture ko.

5) What will you do if you become invisible for a day?

I would love to go inside Kuya’s house again, just to wander around and feel the warmth of the family we built there. I want to reminisce and maramdaman ulit yung tawa ni Mowm, yung mga pangloloko ni Esnyr, yung mga pang-aasar ni Will, at yung pagiging competitive ni Ralph. Lahat ng ‘yon, isa-isa silang may naiambag sa buhay ko that helped shape me into a better person. By entering Kuya’s house, I want to relive that spirit, that closeness, and the love we all shared.

6) If you could make a cameo appearance in any movie, which one would it be, and what role would you play?

If I could make a cameo appearance in any movie, I’d love to be in an action film with superpowers. I’d want to play a proud Filipino character—someone who represents our culture and resilience, much like in a big Hollywood movie. It would be amazing to show that Filipinos can also be heroes in stories that inspire audiences around the world.

7) Best thing that ever happened to you so far?

PBB. I really feel like PBB has brought me a lot of blessings and brought me a lot of lessons in life, and I’m really grateful because before, it was a dream, and  now it’s a reality. And until now, I’m still harvesting the fruit of my labor inside the house. It was really hard, but at the same time, I’m very, very grateful to be able to be called a housemate.

8) What else do you do in your spare time?

Ever since I got out of the house, I’ve been spending a lot more time online. My screen time used to be around 6 hours, but ngayon umaabot na siya ng 12 hours kasi there are a lot of video compilations from Bahay ni Kuya, and I’m just really grateful sa mga nagpo-post and edit ng video compilations ko. As much as possible gusto kong mapanood lahat, and really interact with all the fans, with their videos and posts. Na-miss ko sila sobra, so that’s what I do during my spare time.

9) What’s your favorite vacation spots?

Anywhere as long as may dagat.

10) One thing you collected in your childhood?

One thing I collected in my childhood? Hindi ako hoarder nung bata ako, not physical things, but more on learnings and memories siguro. Especially from my mom and tita dahil matigas kasi ang ulo ko so, they were always reminding and teaching me what to do and what not to do. Looking back, those moments became valuable lessons that helped shape the person I am today.