A crown and sash, a necklace and a kulambo

Samantha Bernardo

The people we see on TV or on the big screen can seem larger than life. But because we used to see them on a regular basis—like these former “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)” contestants—we think we know them and their back stories. For a closer peek into their personalities and what they hold dear, we asked them a simple question: What is your favorite thing?

Beauty queen Samantha Bernardo chose two, her Miss Grand International sash and crown when she bagged first runner-up at the 2020 competition held in Bangkok. “It reminds me that once in my life, I brought honor and pride to my country. It is something very meaningful and holds so many memories of my pageant journey.”

Samantha recalled that the international tilt was held at the height of the pandemic when restrictions and lockdowns were at their peak.

“The Philippines hadn’t won Miss Grand International yet, so my first runner-up standing was the closest win we’ve had so far. The funny thing is, I got so excited after winning and it slipped my mind that I am still wearing the crown. When I entered our vehicle that night, I broke it, but Miss Brazil was there to save the night with a tube of glue in her small purse,” she said.

Samantha said the way the golden crown with green jade stones has a black cushion lining makes it comfortable to use. “I can wear it for hours.”

She keeps it in a black vanity box at home and brings it out during pageant engagements or events that require her to wear it. “But wherever I go, I keep that crown inside my heart.”

Brenda Mage

Brenda’s ‘kulambo’

For actor-comedian Bryan Roy Tagarao, who goes by the stage name Brenda Mage, the one thing he can’t leave home without is his kulambo or mosquito net. The PBB alum chose that as his favorite thing because it’s something he grew up using in his hometown of Jasaan in Misamis Oriental.

“Malamok sa amin sa bundok sa probinsya. ‘Di ako natutulog ng tanghali o gabi ‘pag hindi kinakamot ng mama ko ang talampakan ko kasi nasanay ako nung bata ako na may magaspang sa paa ko. Hinahanap-hanap ko s’ya tuwing matutulog o kahit nakatambay lang ako sa bahay,” he said.

Bryan has gone through more than 10 mosquito nets since then because he changes them every couple of years when they wear thin. “People also give them to me as gifts. I have two kulambo for my house and when I travel.

“‘Di ako mapakali ‘pag wala ito, lalo na pag nasa ibang lugar ako. Bibili talaga ako pag naiwan ko ito. Lagi s’yang nasa hand-carry ko.

Seham Daghlas

Actress Seham Daghlas’ favorite thing is a gift from her mom that she never takes off.

“It’s a dainty gold necklace with a small diamond pendant in the center. My mom gave it to me on my 18th birthday and I consider it my lucky necklace.” It used to be her mother’s, but Seham said she gave it to her “to keep bad eyes away.”

“There is a superstition where you need to wear a diamond to keep envious or bad eyes away from you. This necklace to me is also my lucky charm and I’ve never taken it off. Any time I feel anxious or nervous, I touch or hold the pendant to remind me of my mom and my family and that they are always there for me by my side. It is very dear to me and holds great value to me, even now, at the age of 24.”

Seham said that the necklace has been with her through all the highs and lows of her young career.

“I love it because it is a gift from my mom and it is a piece of jewelry that’s so simple and dainty, exactly my style. It’s a small circular pendant and a small perfect circular diamond in the center. Its design is so simple yet I honestly have never seen another necklace like this.”