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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The iconic Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house is opening its door to its new home, GMA Network, as “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” premieres on March 9, 2025. Marking another groundbreaking collaboration between the Philippines' leading broadcast media company GMA Network and the country's leading content provider ABS-CBN Studios, the upcoming special edition promises a season fittingly filled with exciting surprises and unforgettable moments as PBB marks its 20th anniversary. Joining the show’s esteemed hosts — Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Enchong Dee, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, and Alexa Ilacad — are two of Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s brightest stars, Gabbi Garcia and Mavy Legaspi. Together, they will guide audiences through the biggest and most star-studded PBB season yet.
Prior to the highly anticipated premiere of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition, the PBB production team and hosts shared their preparations for celebrating the show's 20th year. During the media conference held last March 1, 2025, ABS-CBN’s TV Production and Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi highlighted the significance of this groundbreaking collaboration, expressing, “Groundbreaking siya. Anything groundbreaking creates opportunities.” He also emphasized how the partnership opens doors for artists and strengthens the Philippine television industry. “We know that a lot of possibilities will contribute sa Philippine entertainment industry,” he added. He also shared those previous collaborations between ABS-CBN and GMA made the partnership easier to achieve, stating, “I think the decision came from the previous collaboration with GMA as well. Noong nabanggit ‘yung PBB because it will bring together the artists from two groups, Sparkle and Star Magic, I think it was natural and easy to say yes.” He noted how the partnership also benefits the artists, saying, “The artists that will join the collaboration will be able to build better affinity with the audience. It’s an exciting brand.” Speaking about the selection of celebrity housemates, PBB Supervising Producer Marcus Vinuya shared that the process was both familiar and unique, stating, “Hindi kami nahirapan kasi ito naman directed talaga ‘yung hinahanap na it’s coming from Sparkle and Star Magic. The casting process was really interesting for us. It’s like any other casting process na we are looking for the right mix, we are looking for the personality. It’s not just about your credentials as celebrities; it’s more of your story and personality in the mix.” Marcus also teased viewers about the exciting format and the number of housemates to expect, saying, “Sobrang pasabog ‘yung format this season. They came up with the list, so they invited their celebrities to be interviewed by us. Around 92 ‘yung in-interview namin na celebrities. Around mga 36 ‘yung nagfinal casting. Kung ilan talaga ‘yung papasok, ‘yun ang kailangan niyong abangan.”
As one of the original PBB hosts and first celebrity batch housemates, Bianca expressed excitement about having a full lineup of celebrities from Star Magic and Sparkle, saying, “Exciting ‘yung Celebrity Collab edition because it’s the first time also. With the past celebrity editions we’ve had a mixed of celebrities na iba’t ibang industriya, but now for the first time, puro celebrities na.” Bianca also reminisced about past seasons, commenting on some of the differences, explaining, “Last time we did a full celebrity edition was 2007 pa. Ganoon na katagal. The other celebrity edition kasi may kasama na regular housemates or teens or parang nakagitna in a longer edition. Ngayon, stand-alone na.” she explained. Bianca went on to share that this will also be a chance for people to see the celebrities in a different light, as regular people who also have their own unique stories to tell, stating, “For me, super interesting ng season kasi ang dali natin mag-judge but when we get to know their stories, grabe rin ‘yung pinagdaanan ng bawat isa and we really cannot judge a celebrity kung ano lang ‘yung nakikita natin.” Melai hinted at the diverse personalities of the new housemates, teasing, “Mayroon tayong mga seryoso, mayroon tayong mga maloko kagaya ko at mayroon tayong studious kagaya ni Robi D. Lahat ng yan imi-mix ni Kuya para magkaroon tayo ng mga istorya ng buhay.” Robi is excited for the artists to showcase a different side of themselves inside the house, while Alexa Ilacad revealed that fans can also look forward to the new look of the iconic PBB house, hinting, “Maraming touches of ABS-CBN and of course ng GMA doon sa itsura ng bahay. Probably will be colors and magiging isang buong collab iyong bahay.” Meanwhile, Bianca welcomed the newest additions to their growing “pamilya ni Kuya”, saying, “Definitely ako, bilang ate ng lahat, I’m happy to have more siblings join the family kumbaga,” Bianca said. The longtime host also reflected on how working with different co-hosts over the years has taught her valuable lessons, even after 19 years with PBB. She expressed, “I’ve been hosting the show for 19 years. For the longest time, mayroon kaming template ni Toni (Gonzaga), Mariel (Rodriguez) and ako on how to do the show, and that’s all I knew. Suddenly, life happened. Mariel had to leave and Toni just recently (had to leave).” Of working with new co-hosts, Bianca said, “Parang nagkaroon ng ibang timpla. I love learning from them. May iba pa palang way on how to host PBB. That’s what I appreciate: na lagi akong may natutunan kay Robi, kay Melai, of course, Kim and Enchong and kay Alexa who joined us last year.” With new co-hosts, Bianca believes only good things can happen, saying, “Looking forward ako kasi ibang flavor namin ‘yung madadala nina Gabbi and Mavy, na matututo rin kaming lahat, kumbaga may pamilya ni Kuya kami, tapos mag-iiba din ng dynamics dahil madadagdagan ng saya.”
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| Meet the hosts of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition (Image Source: GMA Network/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Robi echoed Bianca’s excitement, highlighting how Gabbi and Mavy’s presence will help introduce PBB to the Kapuso audience. “Genuine happiness, because this is my first time working with Mavy and kay Gabbi finally on TV, sa isang malaking proyekto,” said Robi. Robi also described the collaboration as more than just a partnership, calling it a “big co-love”, stating, “We are really just happy kasi nadagdagan ‘yung pamilya and ang masarap, walang nabawas. At the same time, it’s how we welcome them dito sa ABS-CBN and ang PBB sa GMA, so we really need Mavy and Gabbi to help us know the Kapuso crowd.” As they prepare for their new roles, Gabbi shared her approach to hosting, musing, “I feel like it’s also the same as being a housemate. I study until maka-research ako sa kung anong pwede kong gawin. But, at the same time, I don’t want to plan things so much. I don’t want to strategize that much. I just want to be myself when I host PBB. I want to be authentic. I want to be myself. I don’t want to be pressured.” Gabbi has also been brushing up on her skills, but reiterated that she also just wants things to flow naturally. She added, “I’ve been doing my share as well. I’ve been learning so much. I’ve been doing my research, learning from my mentor, Tito Boy, from my co-hosts. But I just want to let things unfold naturally for me.” Mavy, on the other hand, has been studying the personalities of the housemates to better relay their stories to viewers. In addition to the excitement, it is revealed at the media conference that Asia's Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto and Asia's Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose are set to give audiences a fresh take on the “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) theme song “Sikat Ang Pinoy” for the Celebrity Collab Edition. In a video shown at the event, Espanto and San Jose expressed how honored they felt to be chosen to sing a new rendition of the iconic theme song almost 20 years after its original release. “Ate Julie and I are so honored to be part of this. Iba ‘yung pakiramdam na ito na. ‘Yung bagong henerasyon na ‘yung makakarinig sa kantang ito na ni-release 19 years ago pa,” said Darren. San Jose added that it was a “dream come true for everybody”, stating, “Siguro sa part din ng artists because we have been waiting for this moment na talagang mag-collaborate ang GMA artists and ABS-CBN artists.”
“This is the first time in history it will air on GMA. 50 percent excited, 50 percent nervous. It is an entirely different audience. Paano kami tatanggapin ng Kapuso loyal fans, will they like the format or storytelling? That is why we appreciate Mavy and Gabbi joining us, pamilyar sa kanila ang Kapuso fans,” said Bianca. Gabbi, who previously revealed that she auditioned for “PBB” many years ago, described landing the hosting mantle as a “full-circle moment”. The actress-host said, “I’ve been such a fan of ‘PBB’. I grew up watching ‘PBB’. I remember 5,000 auditionees that day. I was number 3,900-something. I lined up from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Yes, ganun siya ka-intense. Pero kasi I really wanted talaga. I was so curious as a kid to see what’s really going on inside the house. Today, it’s such a full circle moment for me after [auditioning many years ago]. And then right now, I’m standing in front of you as a host. I’m so humbled, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.” For the first time ever, stars from both Sparkle and Star Magic will enter the Pinoy Big Brother house. Will they be able to strengthen their bond as they face this season’s new tasks? Watch out for the most exciting season to date as “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” airs exclusively on GMA Network starting March 9. Catch the episodes weeknights at 10:00 pm and on weekends at 6:15 pm on free TV via GMA-7 in Mega Manila and GMA Regional TV stations nationwide and through live streaming on iWantTFC. Kapamilya viewers can catch the latest season of PBB on Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN's Facebook page and ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and TFC (The Filipino Channel) for viewers outside the Philippines with full episodes available on-demand on Pinoy Big Brother's official YouTube channel.
(With words by PUSH.com.ph's Nikka Sabio and INQUIRER.net's Jessica Ann Evangelista)
