Media left out of ‘PBB Teen’ finals

PBB TEEN Edition 4 big winner Myrtle. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABS CBN CORP COMM

For such a well-drummed-up event, “BFF at the Big Night”—  final episode of this year’s “Pinoy Big Brother Teen” held on Saturday—was effectively kept out of the reach of media outside of ABS-CBN programs.

Cosplayer Myrtle Gail Sarrosa from Iloilo was declared Big Winner that night.

Hardly any arrangement for coverage was made for the event, which the network subsequently described as “successful” and “heavily discussed” on Twitter. It was also reported to have topped the list of world-wide trending topics on the social-networking site.

An insider told the Inquirer that only Kapamilya in-house writers were present at the proceedings held at Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan.

The explanation was that the venue was too small and the number of seats was limited.

Unpopular winner

Meanwhile, it seems the 17-year-old winner has to defend her triumph. “Some people don’t think I deserve it,” network press releases on Sunday quoted Sarosa as saying. “I’m glad that there are more people who like me than [those who] hate me.”

PBB TEEN Edition 4 fourth big placer Joj and Jai with host Robi Domingo

Sarosa became controversial when she was linked to housemates Kit Thompson and  Yves Flores (the latter admitted that he had a girlfriend outside Big Brother’s house). However, Sarosa repeatedly denied she had feelings for Flores.

She also got a lot of flak for “playing too safe.”

Sarosa may have gotten the highest percentage of “evict” votes—11.9—but she also garnered a massive 33.92 percent of the total number of votes, to eventually win the reality show.

She brought home P1 million in cash prize, a grand appliance showcase, a gadget showcase, and an Asian tour package.

Far second

Karen Mae Reyes, a far second with 11.91 percent of the votes, bagged P500,000. The other winners were Roy Requejo (9.38 percent), third place; and twins Jai and Joj Agpangan (9.26 percent), fourth. Requejo and the twins received P300,000 and P200,000, respectively. The runners-up also won appliance showcases.

PBB TEEN Edition 4 Big Four: Jai and Joj, Myrtle, Karen, Roy. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABS CBN CORP COMM

In an interview on the Sunday gabfest “The Buzz,” Sarosa said: “It’s like I’m still in a dream. But now that I’m already outside the house, I’m ready to prove that I deserve all those votes.”

A former chair of the Sangguniang Kabataan, Sarosa also said she hoped “to one day defend those who cannot defend themselves.” She plans to be a CPA lawyer someday.

While winning PBB could lead to a career in show business, Sarosa vowed to never neglect her studies.

She said: “An opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime so I will definitely grab it, but I will try my best to manage school and work at the same time.”

E-mail [email protected].