The original cast of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) had a virtual reunion to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the hit reality show. The former PBB housemates only had a virtual reunion as quarantine protocols still prohibit mass or social gathering due to the threat of COVID-19.
The online reunion was attended by most of the PBB 1st season housemates such as Sam Milby, Say Alonzo, Jayson Gainza, Chx Alcala, Bob dela Cruz, Uma Khouny, Racquel Reyes, Rico Barrera, and the first-ever grand winner Nene Tamayo-Plamio.
The other housemates that were not able to attend were Cassandra Ponti, JB Magsaysay, and Jenny Suico. The virtual reunion was led by director Ian del Carmen and was live-streamed on the respective Facebook pages of the housemates.
The stream lasted for three hours.
Sam Milby only attended the reunion halfway through as he explained that he was not feeling well. But he was able to say his greetings to his fellow PBB housemates and even showed them the guitar that he used to have inside the PBB house. He said that up to this day, the guitar is still displayed in his condo.
He said that even after 15 years, his fellow housemates did not change as they all still look the same.
“You all look the same after 15 years,” Sam said.
Sam Milby decided to pursue a career modeling and acting. He has already starred in several Filipino TV series and films. He will be a part of the TV series Ang sa Iyo ay Akin along with Jodi Sta. Maria, Iza Calzado, and Maricel Soriano.
Meanwhile, the PBB housemates reviewed some clips from 2005 and reminisced about the 112 days that they spent inside the PBB house.
Jayson Gainza expressed his thanks to the people who continue to support him up to this day.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga sumabaybay sa atin hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin sila bumibitaw sa journey natin mula 2005 until now. Maraming, maraming salamat at talagang andiyan pa rin kayo,” he said.
Gainza became an actor and comedian after he won first-runner up in the reality show.
Rico Barrera became a flight steward and then a businessman. He became part of FrontRow International last 2012 and belongs to Millionaires Club of FrontRow. He was a talent of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic until he transferred to the GMA network in 2009. Rico shared that he has also been busy with his life as a father to his 7-month-old baby.
Some of the season 1 housemates who did not pursue a career in the showbiz industry also shared what they have been doing with their life.
Chx Alcala revealed that she has been busy with life especially since she became a mother in 2019.
“December 2019 yung pinaka biggest blessing na dumating sa akin is when I had my daughter. I have an eight month na so mother na rin,” she said.
Racquel Reyes also shared that she has been spending her days as a seller of multivitamins, beauty products, and other food supplements.
Bob dela Cruz became a politician when he ran for the position of municipal councilor in his hometown in 2010. He said that his plans on running for office again remain open. He was the first housemate to be forcibly evicted due to his heart ailment.
He gave a message to his fellow housemates and thanked his bosses in PBB for the opportunity that they brought to him. He wished all the housemates well especially in this time of the pandemic.
“Happy 15 years na samahan. So sa mga lahat ng mga housemates, yung mga kasa kasama natin diyan, yung mga housemates, yung mga sumubaybay ng 24/7, thank you po. Kung ano man po ako at yung ibang housemates, dahil po sa inyo yan. Sobrang thankful ako kay Ma’am Linggit (Tan) at Direk Lauren (Dyogi) sa opportunity. At sa lahat ng naging housemates ko, ang masasabi ko lang laban lang tayo kahit na nandiyan yung pandemic. Hindi yan nawawala, laging andiyan na yan. Kailangan lang gumawa tayo ng pamamaraan na maka-survive at malagpasan yung nararanasan natin na pagsubok sa buhay. Tuloy tuloy lang. Lahat kayo na-miss ko. Sana magkita tayo personally kung magkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon,” he shared.
Uma Khouny explained that he has been living a simple life in New York and that he just spends his time working.
“I’m just at the park with a view of the U.N building. Nothing, wala akong ginagawa. I work. Trabaho bahay,” he said.
He has been managing their coffee shop in New York City, called Cafe Angelique which has different branches throughout the city.
Say Alonzo is busy being a mother to her 2 children with her husband businessman Ryan Tordesillas.
The housemates have also shared what they missed the most when they were inside the PBB house. Say Alonzo shared that: “Nami-miss ko yung wala kang iniisip kundi gumawa lang ng task at kumain ng food.”
Jayson said that he missed the time when he used to sell snack inside the PBB house. “Ako nami-miss ko magtinda lang ng Koko Crunch, yung Kelloggs,” Jayson said.
“Big Winner” Nene Tamayo became a member of ABS-CBN’s training and management subsidiary, Star Magic. She appeared in UNTV 37’s morning program ‘Pilipinas, Gising Ka Na Ba?’
She went on with her business venture when she started Nene Prime Foods. It specializes in selling ready-to-eat bottled products such as seasoned bangus, tinapa, and tuyo.
Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) is a reality show franchise. Since the first episode of the show in 2005, it already had 14 seasons. The show is currently hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, and Alex Gonzaga. The show is famous for its weekly and daily challenges, confession room, and the voice known only as “Big Brother,” sometimes referred to as “Kuya”.
