Pinoy Big Brother has been a huge part of Filipino TV junkies’ lives for two decades this year. I can still remember clearly that the reality series first aired in August 2005, a time when I was still working on my college thesis with my groupmates. The three of us watched the pilot episode while having our dinner break. After numerous seasons and Big Nights have passed, I finally got the opportunity to tour the PBB house and use the restroom—without a camera! 😉 Over the years, the show has become a shared experience for many Filipinos.
This year, the show’s 20th anniversary was celebrated with a collaboration between ABS-CBN and GMA on the PBB platform. The Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition brought together a diverse group of artists who proved to be kind and emotionally intelligent. At least that’s what I saw during the four months of airing! These individuals showed a side of themselves that was genuine and warm, creating an inspiring atmosphere.
A special Star Magic Spotlight press conference held last July 14 brought together the Kapamilya PBB Collab Big 4 and housemates at the iconic Pinoy Big Brother House. This event marked a reunion for Brent Manalo, Ralph de Leon, Esnyr Ranollo, River Joseph, and ex-housemates Kira Balinger, Xyriel Manabat, Klarisse de Guzman, and Bianca de Vera, reconnecting with the fans and each other.
Fresh off their memorable season, the Kapamilya Big 4 and ex-housemates shared how life has changed, what they’ve learned, and how they are paying forward all the love and support since stepping out of Bahay ni Kuya.
Kapamilya Big winner Brent Manalo shared, “Grabe yung experience, parang fever dream talaga, I didn’t expect na ganon karami ang mag show-up para sa aming lahat. Kasi before, kapag nag ma-mall show ako, siguro may mga ilan…I guess twenty people, but now, I think hundreds talaga, if not thousands of people who showed up for us. Hopefully hindi matapos itong pakiramdam. I’m always gonna be grateful, and I’m sure ‘yung love nilang nabigay sa’kin, susuklian ko talaga ‘yun, hindi ako titigil mag trabaho nang mabuti.”
When asked about the lesson PBB has imparted to his life, Ralph De Leon said, “The biggest lesson I’ve learned talaga is to trust God’s perfect timing… Mas napalapit ako to my faith here in the house, kasi when I can’t run to anyone else with my problem, or my thoughts, who else better to go to diba? Grabe rin ‘yung naging journey ko dito, na-evict na ako lahat-lahat tapos nakabalik ako and nakapasok pa ako ng Big 4, and all of that I feel is because of Him also. ”
“Mas nag-open ‘yung mga doors for opportunities para sa’kin at para sa pamilya ko, at the same time, nung pumasok ako dito parang wala pa akong strength talaga masayado. Nung paglabas ko, masasabi ko talaga na strong na ako since napagdaanan na namin ‘yung hamon ni Kuya,” Esynr said.
River also expressed his reaction after the internet labeled him as a green flag in this season: “Siyempre it’s an honor to be called as a green flag. When it comes to pressure, wala masyado, kasi I guess throughout the season I just being myself, doing what I want to do. I guess moving forward, siyempre I’ll have to be myself lang.”
