The historic season of the long-running reality show franchise has begun.
On Sunday, March 9, ABS-CBN Studios and GMA Network’s groundbreaking co-production, ‘Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition,’ made its premiere.
Singers Julie Anne San Jose and Darren Espanto opened the show with their rendition of ‘Sikat Ang Pinoy,’ the official soundtrack of ‘PBB’s’ all-star seasons since 2006.
Also present during the first night of the new edition were ‘Gen 11’ Big 4 housemates— Sofia ‘Fyang’ Smith, Rain Celmar, Kai Montinola, and Kolette Madelo.
It was also the first live program to be presented together by Kapamilya hosts Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, Melai Cantiveros, and Alexa Ilacad with Kapuso personalities Gabbi Garcia and Mavy Legazpi.
Two other main hosts, Kim Chiu and Enchong Dee, were not present due to prior commitments.
The program kicked off with the unique introduction of the first 7 housemates from GMA’s Sparkle Artist Center, who toured around the network’s building to look for their fellow participants.
First to be unveiled was Ashley Ortega, followed by AZ Martinez, Will Ashley, Josh Ford, Charlie Fleming, Dustin Yu, and Mika Salamanca.
After them, it was the turn of ABS-CBN to present their Star Magic artists, composed of AC Bonifacio, Esnyr Ranollo, Brent Manalo, Klarisse De Guzman, River Joseph, Ralph de Leon, and Kira Balinger.
Twists have been aplenty for viewers tuned in to the first episode, as ‘Big Brother’ welcomed popular content creator and Kapamilya actress Ivana Alawi as his first houseguest of the season.
Her task is to make the participants believe that she is also an official housemate of this season.
Following that, ‘My Ilonggo Girl’ actor Michael Sager was also added to the Sparkle gang, having been named as the 8th member of the group.
It was not only the housemates and viewers that were surprised for the “big” kick-off event, as the hosts themselves have been assigned to assist the contestants for their first task inside the house.
‘Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab’ is the 18th installment in the franchise and is being held in celebration of the show’s 20th anniversary this year.
It also marks the fourth joint project between ABS-CBN and GMA, a list that includes the 2023 series ‘Unbreak My Heart,’ the GTV and GMA simulcast of ‘It’s Showtime,’ and the highest-grossing Filipino film of all-time ‘Hello, Love, Again’ starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards.
Moreover, this brings back the all-celebrity format of ‘PBB,’ which was first held back in 2006 and saw Keanna Reeves emerged as the first Celebrity Big Winner.
It then returned for a second season in 2007, with Ruben Gonzaga hailed as the champion.
‘Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab’ airs every weeknight at 10:00 pm and weekends at 6:15 pm on GMA’s free-to-air channel, and online via Kapuso Stream, Kapamilya Online Live, and iWantTFC.
TFC and GMA Pinoy TV will provide the broadcast coverage for international viewers.