Get to know Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca, the new winners of 'Pinoy Big Brother'
Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition ended with Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca being named as the winning duo of the show's historic season.
During the grand finale on July 5 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, the pair won the coveted title after garnering 33% of the total combined votes, earning them the grand prize of P1 million each.
"Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin kasi hindi po sapat 'yung salitang masaya at mahal ko kayo at salamat po kasi hindi po 'yun maeexplain 'yung nararamdaman ko ngayon. Para sa inyo pong lahat ito, para sa pamilya ko, para sa mga nagmamahal, at para sa aming dalawa ni Brent," an emotional Salamanca said when asked for her message to her fans.
Manalo meanwhile said, "Gusto ko lang po sabihin na basta puso 'yung pang-laban, anything is posible. God is good. Thank you po."
Ralph de Leon and Will Ashley follow in their heels as first runner-up. Rounding off the competition are Charlie Fleming and Esnyr in third place and AZ Martinez and River Joseph in fourth.
Curious about Manalo and Salamanca outside Bahay ni Kuya? Here's what you need to know about them:
Brent Manalo
Manalo has been an achiever since he was younger—he graduated as valedictorian in high school. He later studied Advertising Management at De La Salle University, where he became a consistent Dean’s Lister and received the Ninoy Aquino Leadership Award. The cherry on top was him earning his diploma as cum laude.
The 27-year-old is also a natural in front of the camera, balancing his academic journey with maintaining a YouTube channel where he focused on travel vlogs and lifestyle content.
After joining a campaign for an international fast fashion brand, he was eventually scouted by Johnny Manahan of Star Magic to audition.
He landed his first acting role in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic with the iWant series Ampalaya Chronicles, before appearing in The Broken Marriage Vow and Beach Bros.
He rose to further prominence when he collaborated with his fellow housemate Esnyr to star in his YouTube series Hayskul Crush, where he played a role in a love triangle alongside actor Shan Vesagas.
Mika Salamanca
Like Manalo, Salamanca's journey into the spotlight also began on YouTube when she captivated audiences with a mix of soulful song covers and relatable lifestyle vlogs.
She later gained more fame as she appeared as a contestant in the game show Family Feud Philippines as well as a guest in the comedy show Bubble Gang.
Her first acting role came when she was a guest cast in the drama action romance series Maging Sino Ka Man, which was led by Barbie Forteza and David Licauco.
Salamanca, 24, later starred in Abot-Kamay na Pangarap, Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis, and Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre.
Throughout her blossoming showbiz career, the local star makes it a point to remain authentic at all times.
"Kailangan, kung ano talagang ‘yung nagpapasaya sa 'yo, as long as wala kang tinatapakan na tao. Dapat una mong pasayahin ‘yung taong makikita mo sa salamin, which is you," she said in an interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.
Manalo and Salamanca's victory as a pair comes as PBB had its contestants team up as duos in a series first. The show also made history for having a cast composed of celebrities from former rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA.
