Andronico Del Rosario
Most people aren’t born with enough talent to make it big in the local showbiz scene. Between talent contests and talent searches, it’s a minefield that even the most talented might not really want to sift through.
However, a program that recently held online auditions has once again given Filipinos hope: Pinoy Big Brother.
PBB recently opened auditions for its 9th season via locally-made live streaming app Kumu, and it already has received a whopping 37,082 “audition tapes” from aspiring Housemates since October 21.
Makalipas ang tatlong araw, may 37,082 Aspiring Housemates na ang nakapagsend ng kani-kanilang audition videos! Kaya ano pang hinihintay mo? Audition na! #PBBkumuaudition #PBBKUMUnect
To stay updated visit: https://t.co/5q8jVYJT0A pic.twitter.com/NhQrT58PHS
— Pinoy Big Brother (@PBBabscbn) October 21, 2020
While people have poked fun at how some auditionees actually wished for ABS-CBN’s franchise to not be renewed, it’s no secret that PBB is one of the better ways to build your brand and eventually get into showbiz.
Yes, Star Magic holds talent searches in some of the country’s major cities. Yes, ABS-CBN once had a program called Star Circle Quest, a reality talent show that allowed talented teenagers to basically show their stuff on live TV and hone their skills throughout the show’s run.
However, there’s no denying PBB’s unique brand of discovering future talents in Philippine show business. Between Sam Milby from Season 1 and Joshua Garcia from PBB: All In, the show has produced several household names in the local showbiz industry.
There’s multi-talented James Reid from PBB Teen Clash 2010, cosplay cutie Myrtle Sarrosa from PBB Teen Edition 4 (now with GMA 7), and ABS-CBN mainstays Jayson Gainza (PBB Season 1) and Melai Cantiveros (PBB Double Up).
There’s also top-billers like Kim Chiu (Teen Edition 1), Gerald Anderson (Teen Edition 1), and Yassi Pressman (Lucky 7), along with rising stars Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber (Lucky 7).
Even one of PBB’s hosts is a PBB alum: Robi Domingo (PBB Plus).
Not just showbiz
PBB hasn’t just produced artistas who have become household names. It has also helped some of its housemates make a name for themselves outside of show business.
PBB Ultimate Big Winner Slater Young is currently in Cebu running his own company, Liteblock, which produces lightweight concrete.
Fourth Solomon, who joined PBB All In with his twin brother Fifth, now owns three food businesses: Tikka Tikka Pocket Wraps, Super Mango, and Avo Bravo.
And who could forget PBB Season 1 winner Nene “Kumander Nene” Tamayo, who now runs Nene Prime Foods.
Did we mention PBB has also featured two of the country’s top vloggers—Wil Dasovich and Baninay Bautista, both from PBB Lucky 7?
These stories show just how far Filipinos are willing to go to achieve their dreams. And if it takes joining a reality show to get there, then so be it.
