- SmarTone-TFC crown “Ms. Barkadahan 2018” title-holder, ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez one in celebration with the OFs in HK
- TFC also named its first ever “Ms. Kapamilya Barkadahan” awardee
Celebrating with the overseas Filipinos their triumphs away from home, ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez was present during the anticipated annual Filipino event in Hong Kong, the “Ms. Barkadahan 2018”, held last September 23 at the MacPherson Stadium, Mongkok in Hong Kong.
Upon entering the venue, Lopez was able to exchange quick greetings with some overseas Filipinos present at the venue to witness the coronation of this year’s “Ms. Barkadahan” queen and the very first “Bb.Kapamilya Barkadahan” awardee.
“It is such a privilege to be with our Kapamilyas in Hong Kong and witness how they celebrate each and everyone’s triumphs in life. This fuels us to continue bringing their stories to the world that will inspire many others and give pride to every Filipino wherever they may be,” said ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez.
This year marked the first partnership between the event’s organizer SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited and ABS-CBN Global, through its flagship brand The Filipino Channel (TFC) which was the event’s official broadcast media partner.
“We made history this year by partnering with the biggest TV network in Philippines, ABS-CBN, thru The Filipino Channel to provide entertainment to our OFWs like the biggest Filipino pageant in Hong Kong, Ms. Barkadahan 2018. Plus, we gave out Php 1-million, which is the biggest prize in the pageant given to our candidates and the OFW community in Hong Kong. We are very happy with the fruitful partnership between SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited and The Filipino Channel,” said SmarTone Assistant General Manager of Marketing Division Cindy Leung.
For more than 10 years now, “Ms. Barkadahan” has been empowering the overseas Filipinos in Hong Kong by highlighting stories of their triumphs while living away from home.
Part of the special awards in the pageant was the “Bb. Kapamilya Barkadahan”, an award given by TFC to the candidate who embodies the Kapamilya spirit, where she goes beyond what was expected from her during the pre-pageant and sets an example to others by doing and being her best in everything she does.
This special award was given to Gelbey Joy Genosas, where she took home prizes worth Php 60,000, USD 8,000 worth of jewelries courtesy of Ragazza Jewelry & Accessories, and one-year Premium TFC subscription.
Aside from overflowing joy and gratitude to her family, friends, and others who supported her journey, Genosas sees winning the Bb. Kapamilya Barkadahan award an opportunity to inspire others.
“Being the first ever Bb. Kapamilya Barkadahan awardee is a great opportunity for me to inspire and influence not only my fellow OFWs in Hong Kong but every Filipino around the globe that we can always aim for the best. And being the best entails never giving up, coming across a lot of challenges along the way yet keeps on trying and never giving up,” she explained.
Genosas further added: “I’m thankful to the whole TFC family for seeing the potential in me and choosing me to be the first ever Bb. Kapamilya Barkadahan.”
Meantime, winning the “Ms. Barkadahan 2018” title was Melodie Duag. Presenting to her the sash was SmarTone Assistant General Manager of Marketing Division Cindy Leung; the bouquet was given by ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez; the crown was bestowed to her by “Ms. Barkadahan 2017” winner Aigelie Bolalin-Olmogis; and the one-year Premium TFC subscription awarded by ABS-CBN Global Asia Pacific Regional Marketing Head and Country Manager for South Asia Maribel Hernaez.
“Hindi po ako makapaniwala, as in feeling ko parang kahapon lang nangarap lang ako and then ito na po ako ngayon (I still cannot believe I won. It felt like yesterday I’m just dreaming about this, and here I am now),” Duag said. “Sobrang thank you, thank you everyone–thank you TFC, thank you, SmarTone–thank you to all the people who supported me (Thank you so much to everyone–thank you to TFC, thank you to SmarTone–thank you to all the people who supported me).”
Trailing after Duag were 1st-runner up and Ms. Kapamilya Barkadahan awardee Gelbey Joy Genosas, and 2nd-runner up Rosie Talimongan.
Present to serenade the candidates and the crowd was “Ngayon at Kailanman” star Joshua Garcia, while adding spice to the question and answer portion was the Unkabogable Sidekick (undisputed sidekick) Negi.
Relive the colorful night of “Ms. Barkadahan 2018”, watch the coronation highlights at https://missbarkadahan.mytfc.com.
For more updates about TFC’s upcoming events, visit facebook.com/TFCHongKong. Connect with fellow global Kapamilyas and follow @KapamilyaTFC and KapamilyaGlobalPR on Twitter and Instagram.
