‘PBB’s’ return creates jobs for retrenched ABS-CBN employees

From left (clockwise): Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez, Kim Chiu, and Robi Domingo

The return on air of ABS-CBN’S reality talent search “Pinoy Big Brother” also meant the resumption of work for many of the beleaguered network’s employees who were retrenched months ago, observed program host Bianca Gonzalez.

“It’s so nice to see that a lot of our staff are now back because PBB is back,” said Bianca who is coanchoring with Toni Gonzaga the show’s latest season, titled “PBB Connect.”

“A lot of good things are happening as a result of the return of PBB. I hope people will support us. It means so much to the entire team,” she added.

Bianca said she did not expect it to happen sooner, though. “I could still remember this so vividly like it was just last week. When news broke that ABS-CBN failed in its franchise renewal bid, some of us PBB hosts went to the ABS-CBN Compound on Sgt. Esguerra Street (in Quezon City) to join the noise barrage. We drove around the compound and sounded our cars’ horns as loudly as we could. I also remember driving around the PBB house and seeing it with no lights. I thought, ‘Our second home will never be opened again.’ It was such a heavy feeling,” recalled Bianca as she was tearing up.

“When this happened, I felt relieved and hopeful. Even though it will be under the ‘new normal’ set up, I hope everyone will watch it. The entire team is doing its very best to spread hope and happiness and to give inspiration to everyone,” Bianca told reporters during a recent virtual media gathering. “Only recently, I learned that our PBB staff will be making a huge sacrifice because they will go on lock-in and will be assigned in shifts.”

“PBB Connect” was released on Dec. 6. It can be seen on the following platforms: Kapamilya Channel (cable broadcast), Kapamilya Online Live (online media broadcast) A2Z Channel 11 (free-to-air broadcast), and Kumu (online streaming platform).

For director and ABS-CBN TV Production head Lauren Dyogi, PBB “is like comfort food. You don’t say ‘no’ to it. You just go and consume it.”

“With what’s happening to us, we want to go back to something we’ve missed. It gives us hope. It comforts us. Who would say ‘no’ to something like this, especially during these difficult times?” Lauren pointed out. “I just didn’t think it would happen soon because we just ended an edition. It had been a good run and I thought now was a good time to take a break from it. But when I was presented with the idea of another season, there was no hesitation. I said, ‘Let’s do it!’”

PBB’s main host Toni said she never expected that there would be an opportunity to reopen the Big Brother House at this time of the year. “I remember Paul (Soriano, her husband) once told me, ‘Imagine if there’s an ongoing PBB edition when the lockdown was imposed. I bet the PBB housemates will be the safest from any effect of the virus—they have no knowledge of what’s happening in the outside world,” recalled Toni.

She then reported that there had been an ongoing Big Brother edition in Germany when the lockdown took effect globally. “Normally, the housemates aren’t made aware of what’s happening outside, but that was an exception. This was a global pandemic. They had to know because they also have families to look after.”

Toni and Bianca, as well as their other cohosts Robi Domingo, PBB alumni Kim Chiu, Melai Cantiveros, Enchong Dee and Richard Juan, will all be working in the comfort and safety of their homes.Kim said she volunteered to be part of “PBB Connect,” in spite of being one of the busiest Kapamilya talents around. Kim is already a regular host of “It’s Showtime!” and the lead star of the upcoming iWantTFC family-oriented series “Bawal Lumabas.”

“There’s a soft spot in my heart for PBB. I wouldn’t be where I am now if not for PBB. That’s why whenever they would ask me to make a guest appearance, like do a dance number in any of the program launches they had, I gladly did it—even if it was something last-minute. I’d study the dance choreography in the morning and then perform it at night,” said Kim, who was the big winner of the first PBB Teen edition in 2006.

For “PBB Connect,” Kim will be a special correspondent. “You will see me there when the program has something important and special to announce,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Enchong, the newest addition to the team, will partner with Melai for the 5 to 6 p.m. daily report (via Kumu) on the live activities of the housemates.

“I will be Melai’s English and Bicolano translator,” said Enchong, laughing. “I have to make sure that whatever we will be announcing will be clear to the viewers. I had already told Melai, ‘If ever we encounter ‘sablay moments,’ let’s just laugh at them.’ I hope we don’t end up just laughing and not saying anything. I’m excited but very nervous.”

Meanwhile, Melai said she’s feeling extremely blessed to be part of the team. “Lumaban din talaga tayo sa pagsubok ng buhay,” she said, referring to the show’s motto. “I didn’t expect to receive this blessing at this time. I keep saying I don’t deserve it.”

Robi will partner with Bianca during the nightly reports on Kumu. “I will also be present during kickoffs, as we usher in new sets of housemates, and also during eviction nights to welcome them to the outside world,” he explained.

Richard, meanwhile, is assigned to do daily reportage on Facebook and YouTube. “I hope people won’t get tired of my face,” he quipped. “I will update everyone on what’s happening inside, like if some of them had a big fight you’ll find out about that from me.”