Bianca Gonzalez reveals she’s still friends with former “Pinoy Big Brother” co-hosts Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rodriguez
(From left) Mariel Rodriguez, Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez. Image: Instagram/@marieltpadilla
Bianca Gonzalez continues to maintain her close friendship with her former “Pinoy Big Brother” co-hosts Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez, even if they no longer work together.
During a PUSH Bets Live interview, which was uploaded on Push’s YouTube channel last Friday, March 17, Gonzalez shared that the three of them still communicate with each other through a group chat called “Kuya’s Angels.” “Kuya” refers to Big Brother in the hit reality show.
“Yes, [we’re still friends]. We actually have a chat group and the chat group is still called, even to this day, even if ako na lang ‘yung natira on Kuya’s side, ‘Kuya’s Angels,’” she said in response to a question about friendship with Gonzaga and Rodriguez.
(Yes, we’re still friends. We actually have a chat group and the chat group is still called, even to this day, even if I’m the only one who remains on Kuya’s side, “Kuya’s Angels.”)
The TV host also shared that she first met her former co-hosts when they were in their early 20s, saying that they became close after going through their own heartbreaks.
“When I look back, it’s so overwhelming kasi we all started in our early 20s. So, in our early 20s, iba-iba pa ‘yung stages of life namin n’un. I remember a time we all met [at that time], parang we were all heartbroken. I remember it was a trip to Hong Kong tapos lahat kami nag-iiyakan kasi bagong break kami lahat in some way and I think, it truly started the bond. Then, we all had different life stages in our relationships and eventually, isa-isa kaming kinasal. Isa-isa kaming naging nanay,” she added.
(When I look back, it’s so overwhelming because we all started in our early 20s. We were all in different stages of our lives in our early 20s. I remember a time when we all met up while we were all heartbroken. I remember it was a trip to Hong Kong, then all of us were crying because we all went through breakups. In some way, I think, it truly started the bond. Then, we all had different life stages in our relationships. And eventually, we all got married and became mothers.)
Gonzalez also noted the importance of having the support of women in the workplace, saying that her friendship with Gonzaga and Rodriguez keeps her grounded.
“Through the different stages of our life, it’s so important to have women in your corner who know you, and especially in the public sphere. It’s so important to be connected to friends who knew you from the start, ‘yung kilala ka (the people who truly know you) before you were whatever in your position, in whatever field you’re in. Because they know who you really are. They keep you grounded. So, [Toni and Mariel] will always, always be that to me,” she said.
However, the “Pinoy Big Brother” host noted that while she wanted to meet up with Gonzaga and Rodriguez regularly, their busy schedules as career moms make it difficult to do so.
“Actually it’s ironic kasi ‘yung work, kaya pa ‘yung busy-ness ng work. Pero noong mga naging nanay na, ohmigosh. ‘Yun na ‘yung talagang wala, ang hirap na talaga. Kasi I think, if anything, all of us, even if we work, we’re very hands-on with our kids,” she said.
(Actually, it’s ironic because we can all handle our busy schedules at work. But when we became moms, ohmigosh. It became difficult for us to hang out regularly. Because I think that even if we work, we’re very hands-on with our kids.)
Gonzaga and Rodriguez served as the original hosts of “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2005, alongside TV personality Willie Revillame. Gonzalez then joined the show during its “Teen Edition 1” season in 2006.
Rodriguez left PBB in 2010 before transferring to TV5 and before reuniting with Gonzaga and Gonzalez in the show’s “Pinoy Big Brother: 737” five years later. She eventually left in 2017.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga confirmed back in February 2022 that she would no longer be a PBB host, and Gonzalez eventually took her place. /ra
