Pinoy Big Bother: Tough Decisions

This week started with Kevin and Daddy John’s opposing opinions on circumcision. Daddy John wanted Kevin to do what Alex did at the start of the edition but the young man didn’t like the idea one bit even if it would help 100 under privileged children get circumcised for free. For Kevin, his father should respect his decision for it is his body after all. Kevin didn’t want to do it, for getting circumcised is not a norm in Spain and being ‘di binyagan’ is not at all a big deal to him. Big Brother respected the father and son’s decision and gave them a new task instead for them to be able to help the kids. First, they must teach Mang Erning how to read and write for the fisherman didn’t get a proper education because of financial difficulties. Second, Kevin and John must convince the guys – both the guardians and the housemates – to change their hairstyles according to Kuya’s preferred cut.

But Kevin was not the only one John had an argument with. He had another fight with Josef’s aunt during one of the tasks and Tita Anna was not feeling really happy inside the house. When Kuya had another talk with the guardians regarding their stay inside the house, he also brought up that he will also be declaring a guardian Big Four with the first placer getting half-a-million pesos. So when he asked for a show of hands of who wants to go out, it was only Anna who remained consistent with her decision. Kuya then gave her a chance to convince Josef’s dad to take her place for her nephew to stay in the game. Anna knew it was a losing battle with her brother-in-law, whose job is really important to his family.

Josef was also informed of Anna’s decision and felt really, really bad. Big Brother gave him a chance to talk with his father about their decision of letting his aunt stay with him. Apparently his parents had no other choice but to pick Anna for no one else in their family could stay with him in the house. Josef reasoned out that he has worked hard to get to where he is now and hopefully his Tita Anna can understand that. Josef brought up the subject of Jolas’ dad too, to Big Brother and compared Daddy Ike to his parents. Jolas’ father resigned from his job of 10 years just to be with his son and Josef even wished that his parents could make a sacrifice like that for him. And just last night, Anna finally gave her final decision to Kuya. She admitted that indeed John was adding to her worries inside the house. She also said that she’s missing her family very much and is in need of someone she can confide to. Anna then confesses that she will continue her stay because of Josef and her consideration of the prize money. Kuya agrees to give Josef’s aunt a second chance but gives her a stern warning. She has to finish the remaining days without asking for another exit and if she does, he will let her leave with Josef in tow without asking any questions. Josef was called into the confession room this evening and a look of relief was very obvious on his face upon knowing of Tita Anna’s decision. Big Brother tells him though that he can’t return to the housemates just yet and must remain with his aunt and the other guardians. Because the adults are getting few in number, the Teen Council will now only convene whenever a housemate without a parent inside the house gets evicted.

Pinoy Big Bother: Ejay and Valerie

Ejay and Valerie were tasked to be cooks for the day. They figure out how to cook the complicated dish of okoy squash which is completely alien to the German chick. Ejay then who was more inclined to cooking explained the steps to Valerie. The language got the best of him and he soon gave up tongue-tied with his English.

While waiting for lunch time, the two bonded over trivial things. Valerie was disappointed that her Tita Violy wasn’t there with her unlike the other teens who had their guardians for them. She was also saddened with the fact that Beauty and Kevin were able to see her aunt but she never had the chance to spend some time with her.

When Ejay was left speechless, Valerie steered the conversation to Ejay’s muteness. She commented on his apparent speechlessness whenever they talk. She noticed that the Promdie Hottie seemed to have lots of stories when he converses with the other teens but clamps his mouth shut in front of her. Valerie understands though since there are times that some people simply have nothing to say. However, she still wished aloud that he talk to her. The Dazzling Doll got her wish sooner than expected as Ejay mustered up enough courage and blurted out an “I like you”. Valerie was dumbfounded for a second and replied “Ako rin”. An awkward silence succeeded this revelation and they cover it up by talking about random things about the house.

When it was time to cook their okoy squash, the two were quite comfortable with each other after sharing an embarrassing and spontaneous revelation. They had some problems with their ingredients but were able to resolve it with their teamwork.

Pinoy Big Bother: Goodbye Jieriel

The teens may have rejoiced yesterday after receiving their first weekly task win but now they are all feeling down after the announcement of the first ever evictee, Jieriel. The Davaoena garnered the lowest number of votes (4.59%) while Josef got the highest (47.49%). Automatic nominees Priscilla and Valerie got 19.98% and 18.66% respectively while Linda got 9.28%. But as eviction time got nearer, the nominated teens were a bit somber and waited tensely for the announcement from Toni. First to exit the nomination block was Priscilla, who could not help but grin from ear to ear. Valerie and Linda quickly followed her into the safe zone. There was an obvious look of relief on the Dazzling Doll’s face for she frequently mentioned this week about disappointing her mother who’s in Germany. Linda was beaming too, probably thanking her lucky stars that she got her family reunion and non-eviction all in the same week. Although Josef remained grim looking, Jieriel tried to smile even though Toni called out her name as the first teen evictee. But tears immediately streamed down her face as she hugged the housemates one by one and said her final good-byes. Together with Daddy Gerry, Jieriel exited the house and greeted the audience with a wave. Even if she has left her friends inside, Jing will fondly remember everything she has done and learned while living in Kuya’s house.

Pinoy Big Bother: Who will stay and who will go?

To leave or not to leave? That is the question for Josef and Linda, who have to make the toughest decision of their lives. Kuya first brought up a dilemma for Linda, whose father expressed his desire to spend the rest of his life with his estranged wife Ning-Ning and their kids. As it is, he only has a week here in the country before he flies back to Norway. The chances of Linda seeing her father again in the near furture is quite impossible since Daddy Hans is merely depending on his meager allowance from the Norwegian government due to an injury he sustained from work. As such, Big Brother’s generosity compeled him to offer Linda an all expense paid vacation for her whole family on the condition that she has to quit PBB in exchange of which. Her one-on-one talk with Kuya occurred last Sunday but until now, she’s yet to reveal what her final decision is. The possibility of a voluntary exit is also being considered by Josef after his guardian Tita Anna complained about the late sleeping hours taking a toll on her health. If she won’t be given medication to compensate for her lack of sleep or at least a medical consultation, she will opt to leave the house for good. Actually Tita Anna know’s of the consequences if she leaves – that is an automatic eviction for Josef—so she pleaded for Big Brother to reconsider this rule. Big Brother shared to Josef his aunt’s dilemma and the Lasallite discussed his options with her. The thought of giving up his dream to become a long-term housemate obviously broke Josef’s heart but still, he insisted that he would leave for the sake of his aunt’s wellbeing. Nevertheless, Josef couldn’t help shedding some tears, “Nag-aalala sa kalagayan po niya (Tita Anna), tsaka yung mami-miss ko lang po dito. Marami kasi malulungkot pag mali yung desisyon na gagawin ko eh. Pa’no po kung may mangyari sa tita ko?”With these turn of events, who will we expect to leave Big Brother’s abode by tomorrow? Will Linda grab the opportunity to be with her father or will Tita Anna’s illness pressure Josef to quit first?

The first round of nominations by the housemates has passed. Having spent a couple of weeks together, it was difficult for many to have to vote out a comrade, but it has to be done. Kevin was the only one who was sure of his status inside the house after winning immunity in the first Tandem Game with the guardians. Host for the night Luis Manzano announced Jieriel as the first nominee for eviction. Linda was the next and Josef followed suit. The nominations, however, did not end there. Automatic nominations were also dealt out by Kuya, caused by a violation of the voting out procedure. House rule #9 states that no one is allowed to discuss nominations outside the confession room, directly or implied. To prove this, a video of the clear violation was shown. Because of this, Priscilla and Valerie were added to the list of first nominees.

Pinoy Dream Academy

Cristina Aldecoa

19 years old

Madaluyong City

Though she has been living in New York City since she was 5-years-old, Cristina is always a Filipina at heart and visits her relatives in the Philippines as often as she could. They have deeply ingrained in her a love for music and she has since wanted to pursue her dream of performing. After meeting singer Carmen Patena in a charity event last July 2007, Cristina finally had the courage to leave everything behind in the US, including her studies as a first year pre-med student, and audition for Pinoy Dream Academy. Going after this ambition of hers is a big risk but for Cristina it’s now or never. “I realized that you don't let go of your dreams, I don’t want to be 30 and look back, tell myself 'di ko ginawa to. So I have to try.”

Hansen Nichols

23 years old

Taguig City

Hansen was one of the 30 NCR finalists in Pinoy Dream Academy's first season but unfortunately he didn't make it to the scholar shortlist. However for this Fil-Am guy, he's not ready to give up on his dream just yet and he's back to give singing another shot. Although his identical twin brother is pursuing an acting career in Hollywood, Hansen chose to follow his career in his home country. Diagnosed with thyroid cancer after surviving a car crash, Hansen was told that he might not sing again and almost did not push through with his surgery. He's very thankful though for he still has his voice and is able to share it with others. "It's worth the move, worth the sacrifice...It was a tough battle, but I'm still here."

Kathrina Pambuena

20 years old
Cainta, Rizal

When Kathrina's former group disbanded, she didn't feel sad at all and has instead seen this as an opportunity to grow as a solo perfomer. Upon learning of the Pinoy Dream Academy auditions, this Nursing student knew that this was her time to shine. Some people have told her that she doesn't have what it takes to be successful in the music industry but Kathrina did not let those words get her down. And she's going to make these detractors of hers sit up and listen when she becomes a scholar on PDA's second season.

Christian Alvear

25 years old

Taguig, Manila

He may be short in stature but this Taguig resident’s talents more than make up for his lack of height (due to a growth deficiency). Aside from his impressive singing talent, effortlessly hitting the high notes, Christian is also a dubber for anime shows on ABS-CBN and Hero Channel. This small but terrible contender is also into jujitsu, which landed him a sidekick role in Cesar Montano’s “Bullet.”