‘Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab’ gets more exciting

The housemates of “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab” edition. Images: Facebook/Pinoy Big Brother

After a month of having to live with each other, the duos of Kapamilya-Kapuso AC Bonifacio and Ashley Ortega, Kira Baringer and Charlie Fleming, Emilio Daez and Michael Sager, and Ralph de Leon and Josh Ford were evicted from the famed “Bahay ni Kuya.”

Of course, it’s a reality show. And these artists, for several rules and reasons, simply didn’t make it and had to leave the competition ahead of the others. The first evictees are believed to have benefited from the show with new projects and TV guestings one after another for them.

And now the plot twist: For the first-time in the history of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) the Big Comeback will happen where one Kapamilya ex-housemate and one Kapuso ex-housemate will be coming back to be official housemates.

Six ex-housemates — Ortega, Fleming, Balinger, Ford, De Leon and Bonifacio — are all vying for the chance to be an official housemate again, the show announced on Sunday with the voting for the Big Comeback also officially opened.

Is the PBB show really doing the participants – and TV viewers – right?  With its premise of constant surveillance and social experimentation, the show definitely is having a multifaceted effect on TV audiences. On one hand, it has cultivated a fascination with “real” people (this time, for all-showbiz celebrities) and unscripted drama, contributing to the rise of reality television as a prominent, if not a dominant genre.

PBB viewers are often drawn to the voyeuristic nature of the show, observing the contestants’ interactions, conflicts, and strategies within the confined environment. This can lead to feelings of connection and investment in the housemates, fostering strong opinions and discussions among the audience. Literally, social media is on fire with netizens either praising or criticizing the housemates.

Bahay ni Kuya’s impact isn’t without its drawbacks, too. For the critics, the show simply normalizes and even glorifies certain behaviors, such as backstabbing, manipulation, and conformity to social pressures. These could really be detrimental especially to younger viewers.

Furthermore, the constant surveillance and pressure to perform may create a distorted representation of human interaction, potentially influencing viewers’ perceptions of relationships and social dynamics. The emphasis on drama and conflict, while engaging, can also contribute to a desensitization towards genuine emotional responses and a preference for sensationalized content.

The houseguests – Ivana Alawi, Mavy Lagaspi, Gabbi Garcia, Donny Pangilinan, Sanya Lopez, BINI Jhoanna and Stacey — have done their parts well to boost the morale of the housemates due to isolation from the outside world. The last guest, David Licauco, who served as the fitness trainer, kept them mobile for a week, hopefully, to be fitter and healthier.

As most showbiz enthusiasts know, Licauco is having his own health problem with sleep apnea and doing exercises help him cope up well.  Now, here’s good news for the Pambansang Ginoo, his concerned fans, and for others who are afflicted with this sleep disorder.

Electrophysiologist Dr. Giselle Gervacio said that sleep apnea has close resemblance to bad dream (bangungut) due to the sounds of snoring or gasping but the two conditions are not the same. Sleep apnea is not considered fatal on its own.

“Sleep apnea lowers oxygen levels and can lead to complications such as atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. But it does not directly cause sudden death, unlike bangungot,” she said.

The medical specialist guested the Usapang Puso sa Puso podcast by the Philippine Heart Association aired on May 9. She added that those having breathing difficulty during sleep need to consult their doctors and cardiologists to detect and treat possible heart complications. So there David, see your cardio the soonest!

When women are richer

The dynamics of a woman being the primary breadwinner in a showbiz relationship is becoming increasingly visible and accepted. But media scrutiny is becoming intense, too. Questions are often raised about the man’s ego or motivations, necessitating both partners to have a strong sense of self and a clear understanding of their relationship’s foundation.

More often than not, uncoupling follows once such a foundation is shaken. Take the case of breakups in the biz the likes of the comedy concert queen and her equally famed comedienne friend.

Showbiz insiders said this is also the reason behind the breakup of the actress with her younger beau. Remember, the actress once said he won’t ever become the handsome actor’s BF because she didn’t want to be labelled as a cougar. But then it happened, and now they seem to be in the uncoupling process at the moment.

Another case is this lovely actress who is now a semi-permanent fixture in the US due to her husband’s line of work in Hollywood. The actress used to be the talk of the town because of her over generosity to her then upcoming actor BF. Reportedly, the actress is paying even for the actor minor bills, such as settling his toll charges.

This beautiful actress, on the other hand, seemed to have learned her lessons well. After years of traveling adventures with her handsome BF which the actress is believed to have funded, the woman called it quits. Amid a string of failed relationships, the actress stood her ground and leveled up her worth. Today, friends and critics alike praise the actress for finding the right one, someone who is her equal in the financial department, if not better. However, it is still too early to tell if the new couple shall be doing the altar walk soon.

In partnership, nothing is wrong when a woman is richer. But the success of such a relationship hinges on mutual respect, open communication, and a shared vision for the future, regardless of who has the deeper pocket.