‘PBB’ winner looks at show biz next

CEBUANO civil engineer Slater Young (above, shown with his parents) is the first-ever male housemate to win “PBB’s” regular edition.

All of you made my dream come true,” said civil engineer Slater Young, who was proclaimed the Big Winner of the reality program “Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited” (PBB) on Saturday night, after garnering the highest percentage of text votes.

Young got 40.02 percent of the total number of votes in the overnight public poll, making him the first male winner in “PBB’s” regular edition. Past winners were all females—Nene Tamayo, Bea Saw and Melai Cantiveros. The reality show, based on the original Dutch franchise, also has celebrity and teen editions.

Young received a cash prize of P2 million, an appliance showcase, an Asian tour package, an Internet TV and a water-refilling store franchise at  the “PBB Unlimited: Big Night at the Grandstand” held at Rizal Park.

‘Overwhelming’

“This is overwhelming,” the Cebuano native said during an interview on the Sunday gabfest “The Buzz.” “I didn’t expect to win. My being the Big Winner hasn’t really sunk in yet!”

Housemate Pamu Pamorada, meanwhile, gained 21.49 percent of the votes, making her the Second Big Placer and winner of the P1-million cash prize.

Joseph Biggel was proclaimed Third Big Placer after garnering 21.39 percent of the votes. Paco Evangelista, who was a wildcard housemate, was the Fourth Big Placer with 17.1 percent of the votes. Biggel and Evangelista brought home P500,000 and P300,000 respectively.

PAMU Pamorada (right) of Batangas is this season’s runner-up.

Jan Slater Lee Young said he took up engineering in preparation for joining his father’s construction business. He auditioned for “PBB” hoping to “become more mature and independent.” As a housemate, he was described as a “good leader, exhibiting cleverness in carrying out challenges as well as showing compassion for his fellow housemates.”

Young said he had received offers in the past to be a model, but chose to concentrate on his studies. Now, he wanted to try his luck in show business. Before joining “PBB,” he enrolled in an intensive acting workshop under veteran actor Pen Medina.

Currently managed by Cornerstone Talent Management Center, Young said he hoped to work soon with Kapamilya actresses Anne Curtis, KC Concepcion and Kim Chiu. “I’d like to think I have something different to offer. I have the brains. And during the show, I was able to show what I was made of,” the 24-year-old said.

The four finalists stayed inside the Big Brother house a total of 155 days. Their final task was to stand on a platform for 24 hours, which earned them P50,000 each to donate to their chosen charities.

Young is donating his special prize to the Tzu Chi Foundation, a Chinese-run nonprofit organization that builds hospitals and schools worldwide.

The Big Night on Saturday at  Quirino Grandstand featured performances by Kapamilya artists Iza Calzado, Luis Manzano, Billy Crawford, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Gainza, Matt Evans, Bugoy Cariño, Devon Seron, El Gamma Penumbra, XB Gensan and former housemates of “PBB Unlimited.”

“PINOY Big Brother Double Up” (2010) Big Winner Melai Cantiveros performs a dance number.

Toni Gonzaga shared hosting chores with Bianca Gonzalez and Robi Domingo. Actor and former “PBB Celebrity Edition 1” runner-up John Prats was introduced as the “additional host” of “PBB Teen Edition 4,” which will premiere on April 8.

Twelve teen housemates, who were drawn from 22,305 aspirants, will spend eight weeks inside the famous Big Brother house.

“PBB Unlimited” was the fourth regular edition of the local version of the international TV franchise from Endemol. Two groups of housemates were made to live in two separate houses, with an afternoon show called “PBB UnliDay,” and the prime-time program “PBB UnliNight.” The season also made use of “reserved housemates,” some of whom made it to the competition as official housemates after completing a set of tasks.