Vince Maristela, dubbed “Ang Charming Bro Next Door ng Cainta,” entered the Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition house on March 30, 2025, as a Sparkle artist with a boyish grin and a reputation for honesty.
However, his arrival wasn’t met with universal applause. Netizens on X initially roasted him, with some labeling him a “college gym jock” with a “red flag aura.” A Reddit thread even speculated about his past, with one user, u/BebeNiBrent, alleging he was a freeloader during college projects. Others criticized his vibe, with remarks like, “Lalong kaiinisan to kasi siya yung pumalit sa pwesto ni Ashley,” reflecting frustration over his replacement of fan-favorite Ashley Ortega.
Fast forward to May 2025, and Vince has undergone a remarkable transformation in the eyes of viewers. His cutesy, sometimes sabaw (scatterbrained) moments have turned him into an unexpected fan favorite. From quirky one-liners to heartfelt confessions, Vince’s authenticity is shining through.
During a recent episode, his emotional admission, “Buti na lang may ambag ako sa grupo natin,” tugged at heartstrings, with X user @stringsst posting, “This broke my heart hearing him say this. Vince is really slowly growing on you. This is his best ep yet.”
Another fan, @overratedmiswa, gushed, “vince kung san san niya ginagamit yung ‘atake’ l saaaaur cute vince youre the biggest surprise sa bahay.”
Netizens are now lauding Vince as one of the most improved housemates. @FourWingsShar tweeted, “Got hooked by vince this week and I like him naaa!! He’s to soft and baby boy, I think he was misunderstood a5 first lang but Im happy na day by day he is improving.”
His growth is evident in his ability to shrug off provocations, earning praise from @t7thsens: “he now cant be offended and provoked easily like before but now he’s such a crying emo baby.”
Vince’s journey from a polarizing newbie to a beloved housemate mirrors the unpredictable dynamics of PBB Celebrity Collab Edition. His playful selfies, fitness enthusiasm (think chicken and sweet potatoes), and newfound emotional depth have flipped the script. As @bubbabben noted, “Some may call Vince a himbo but he is really growing in BNK. Sana tuloy tuloy na ang pagmature nya. ”
With each episode, Vince is proving that first impressions don’t define you—he’s the underdog audiences didn’t expect to root for.
