The iconic Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house welcomed its latest batch of celebrity housemates for the groundbreaking PBB Celebrity Collab Edition, a historic partnership between former rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA.
Among the housemates are ABS-CBN’s Star Magic artist Kira Balinger and GMA’s Sparkle star Ashley Ortega, who sparked a heartfelt conversation on their first day inside the house.
While chatting, Ortega pointed out the towering ELJ Building of ABS-CBN, visible just outside the PBB house. The observation prompted Balinger to open up about her memories of the network’s vibrant past, before its free TV broadcast came to an abrupt halt in 2020 when Congress denied its franchise renewal.
“Nakakamiss yung dati,” Balinger said wistfully, recalling the bustling energy that once defined ABS-CBN during its heyday.
“That building (used to be) very busy, as in nagbabanggaan ang mga shoulders ng tao,” she shared, painting a picture of a time when the network’s headquarters buzzed with activity as it competed fiercely with Ortega’s home network, GMA.
“But now, it’s so quiet,” she added, her tone shifting to reflect the somber reality of the once-lively building now standing in near silence.
The franchise denial in 2020 marked a turning point for ABS-CBN, ending its decades-long run as a free TV giant and forcing it to pivot to digital platforms and partnerships. For Balinger, who grew up in the ABS-CBN ecosystem, the contrast between its past glory and current state remains stark.
The PBB Celebrity Collab Edition brings together talents from ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and GMA’s Sparkle, symbolizing a new chapter of unity between the two networks. As housemates like Balinger and Ortega share their stories, viewers are given a glimpse into the personal and professional journeys shaped by the evolving landscape of Philippine media.
Fans are already buzzing about the candid exchange, eager to see how these stars from rival networks will bond—or clash—inside the PBB house.
