From performing in front of just 20 people at mall shows to drawing crowds in the thousands, ‘Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition’ Big Winner Brent Manalo is living a dream he once thought was out of reach.
“Grabe ’yung experience, parang fever dream talaga,” Brent shared during the Star Magic Spotlight press conference held inside the PBB house on July 14. “I didn’t expect na ganu’n karami ang mag-show up para sa aming lahat. Kasi before, kapag nagmo-mall show ako, siguro may mga ilan lang, I guess 20 people, but now, I think hundreds talaga, if not thousands of people who showed up for us.”
Now celebrated as one half of the winning tandem with GMA Network’s Mika Salamanca, Brent added, “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 magtrabaho nang mabuti.”
Brent’s win is not just a career milestone — it was a pivotal moment in his life. The actor-model confessed that PBB was his last attempt to make it in the industry.
“Para sa akin, ito na ‘yung last straw ko for showbiz,” he admitted. “If hindi pa nag-work sa akin itong ‘PBB,’ siguro baka mag-quit na ako since nakailang rejections na rin po ang na-experience ko. May time na hindi na ako naniniwala na it was ever possible for me to really make it big in showbiz.”
The special media conference also served as a reunion for the Kapamilya housemates of the historic ‘Celebrity Collab Edition’, which marked the first partnership between rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA Network. Among those present were Ralph de Leon, Esnyr Ranollo, River Joseph, Kira Balinger, Xyriel Manabat, Klarisse de Guzman, Bianca de Vera, and Brent Manalo.
ABS-CBN Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi also delivered a heartfelt message to the former housemates: “I hope you all remain humble, minahal kayo ng tao, and sana ‘yung pagmamahal na ‘yun, you keep that core memory. Hinding-hindi kayo makakalimutan ng sambayanan dahil sa pinakita niyong samahan at pagmamahal sa isa’t isa.”
Brent, who had previously appeared in web series and formed part of the love team “ViBrent” with Vivoree Esclito, saw his popularity soar during PBB — particularly due to his chemistry with co-winner Mika Salamanca. Their fans, fondly calling the pair “BreKa” or “MikBrent,” have produced numerous fan edits online capturing their kilig moments.
Surprised by the buzz, Brent reacted with trademark modesty: “Siguro, ewan, hindi ko na alam. Hindi ko masagot kasi wala akong idea.”
While Mika has already pledged her winnings to an orphanage, Brent shared his own plans to give back.
“Actually hindi pa namin siya talaga nagagawa since wala pa naman sa amin. But it came about when we had a task about when the winner will be able to give P150,000 to a chosen charity. But then, we lost,” he explained. “So ang promise namin ni Mika, paglabas na paglabas, mag-aabot ng P150,000. But since we became big winners, na hindi naman namin ini-expect, ipapamahagi namin sa kanila.”
Brent, Mika, and the rest of the housemates are set to reunite once more at the ‘PBB Collab Concert: PBB Collove’ on August 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum — promising a night of performances, gratitude, and the beginning of even bigger dreams.
