Filipino-American nurse, singer and comedian Jesse Cabalza together with entrepreneur, philanthropist and content creator Jen Young were part of the selection committee of the recently concluded Miss Universe-Ecuador pageant held in Machala, Ecuador.
With a robust career spanning 25 years in the performing arts, Jesse Cabalza began at the Library Manila, Philippines as a singer, host, and comedian, later becoming a staple performer in A-list comedy bars such as Klownz and Sitcom Live.
After moving to the US in 2002, she blazed the trail for Philippine style Comedy/Karaoke trend in the Bay Area performing at Edna’s Ichiban in South San Francisco. In addition, she has performed in Casino Shows across California and Nevada, including Cache Creek Resort and Casino, Pechanga Casino and Golden Phoenix Casino.
Jesse has opened for Filipino celebrities like Regine Velaquez-Alcasid and Sharon
Cuneta and performed alongside Filipino-American artists such as Jaya, Carol Banawa and American Idol finalist Jasmine Trias.
In 2023, Jesse was honored with the Gawad Amerika award for Most Outstanding Performer in Singing and Comedy Act as part of the trio Awesome Threesome, highlighting her dedication to the performing arts.
Jen Young, a distinguished professional with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Santa Clara university, has built an impressive career as a budget analyst and has become the number one distributor of a leading skincare brand in the US.
From 1998 to 2006, she served as a budget and finance analyst at the United States Air Force Europe Headquarters earning multiple Civilian of the Quarter Awards and the Civilian of the year Honor, showcasing her dedication and expertise during the global war on terrorism through her collaboration with the Pentagon.
Currently, Jen is a member of the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley, which her father co-founded in the early 1990’s.
Her various community service activities include organizing feeding programs for malnourished and wasted children in public schools in the Philippines through the Cebu Joyful Ministry Feeding Program, organized by the Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines.
Along with three other distinguished judges, Jesse and Jen helped decide the most beautiful woman in Ecuador. Actress, writer and director, Mara Topic from Guayaquil bested 24 other contestants earning the right to represent Ecuador in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant to be held in Mexico City, Mexico.
