Reality show “Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited” officially opened its doors to new housemates on Saturday, October 29. During its grand opening, dubbed “The Big Fiesta,” all the new housemates were introduced to the public before each of them were led into their home for the next few months. The opening was held right in front of the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house in Quezon City. The housemates Out of 30,789 aspirants, “Kuya” chose 13 lucky housemates to enter his house. The first housemate, Jaz Manabat, is an aspiring model from Quezon City. She is a sultry woman currently in a 5-year-long relationship. Joining her is a licensed civil engineer from Cebu, Slater Young. According to Young, he has been sheltered all his life. He hopes that his experience inside the PBB house can teach him to be more mature. Kigoy Abarico of Ormoc, the third housemate, is street-smart. He has lived most of his life on the streets after he ran away from home. The fourth housemate is the daughter of basketball legend Alvin Patrimonio. Home-schooled Tin Patrimonio is a self-admitted introvert, and she considers relating to others as one of the greatest challenges she has to face inside Kuya’s house. Roy Gamboa of Pangasinan lives by phrase “Hard work does pay.” Coming from an underprivileged family, the fifth housemate strives to provide for his family and achieve all his dreams in life. Taking up the sixth slot in the PBB house is 18-year-old Filipino-American Kevin Fowler. Dubbed as the “Dreamboy of California,” Fowler is set to prove how much Filipino blood runs through his veins. The “Mom of Steel of Muntinlupa,” Luz Mc Clinton, temporarily left her daughter under the care of her sister to enter Kuya’s house. The multi-awarded body-building champion has been married to her foreigner husband for 8 years. The fact that she has been living away from her parents most of her life cannot be easily observed behind the smiles of the eighth housemate. Pamu Pamorada of Batangas is known for her cheerfulness which spreads happiness around her. Her idol is Vice Ganda. After a series of tragic events came his way in 2009, Paco Evangelista's life is a mess. Inside the PBB house, the “Hopeless Romantic of GenSan” hopes to start anew. The 19-year-old stunning sweetheart of Olongapo, Kim de Guzman, takes on the tenth spot in Kuya’s household. Joseph Biggel of Marinduque also made it in. With hopes of sending his younger sister to school, the Filipino-German tries his luck inside the PBB house. Born and raised in Japan, half-Japanese and half-Pinoy Seichang Uchimi has always been in search of his Filipino side. As the 12th housemate, the “Pinoy Anime of Japan” is hoping to discover his true self. Last but not the least on Kuya's list is British-Pinoy Divine Maitland-Smith. The tattoo artist from Cebu hopes that her stay inside the house will provide an opportunity for her to break the stereotype of lesbians. Unlimited season, unlimited surprises Aside from the 13 chosen housemates, another candidate was given a chance to make it inside the PBB house. Among 30 reserved housemates, the luck of Carlo Romero from Chicago, Illinois helped him make it through after his number was drawn to take his chances in the 14th slot. In order to make his stay inside the PBB house official, Romero is required to complete 4 tasks as an "undercover housemate" in a span of a week. If he fails, he will be asked to leave the house. Unlike previous seasons, the new set of housemates walked into a house that has been inspired by shanties in slum communities, which, according to Kuya, is occupied by around 15 million Filipinos in the country. They are all expected to complete their first weekly task, or else half of them will be evicted during this season’s first eviction night.

Out of more than 30,000 “Pinoy Big Brother” auditionees, Big Brother has already chosen his official housemates for the latest season of the ABS-CBN reality show. Among the housemates the viewers should watch out for is a heartthrob engineer from Cebu. A “kikay” student from Olongapo was also privileged to be chosen. She said she could not believe it when she learned that she will be entering the famous house. Meanwhile, the mother of a Japan-based entertainer got emotional when she learned that her daughter will be part of “PBB” because they will not be together during the latter’s birthday. Furthermore, the relatives of a famous basketball player were not able to hold their emotions upon hearing the news that the cager will be entering Big Brother’s house. On the other hand, the lucky overseas Filipino worker from Los Angeles is already all set and ready to go to give color in this season of “PBB.” The rest of the PBB housemates will be introduced on October 29. The show is dubbed as “Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited,” which will be hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Biaca Gonzalez, and Kapamilya stars Robbie Domingo and Martin Concio.

Toni Gonzaga has defended the new hosts of the ABS-CBN reality show "Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Unlimited." She said Robi Domingo and Martin Concio should not be seen as mere "replacements." Last month, Mariel Rodriguez bid goodbye to ABS-CBN, which also meant her departure from her duty as a regular host of PBB. "We'd like to think of Robi Domingo and Martin Concio as additions, not a replacement of anybody," Gonzaga said. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Business Unit Head Lauren Dyogi stressed that it may not be a good idea to talk about Rodriguez during the press conference of "PBB Unlimited." According to him, she has already made her decision to transfer to another network, and everyone should just accept and respect that. Although Rodriguez is no longer part of the PBB family, Bianca Gonzales said it doesn't mean that they stopped being friends with her. She said, "Just because hindi na kami magkakatrabaho doesn't mean we're not friends in real life." The "PBB Unlimited" edition house will officially be opened on October 29. A special "PBB Unlimited" primer dubbed "Audition Stories" will be aired on ABS-CBN Channel 2 starting October 24.

Mariel Out: Two young men, both in their early 20s, who also both happen to be associated with Ateneo de Manila, have been added as co-hosts on “Pinoy Big Brother” when it premieres its ninth edition on Oct. 29 over ABS-CBN. Robi Domingo, a former PBB finalist-turned actor, and Martin Concio, who used to host “Music Uplate” on the same channel, will share hosting chores with Toni Gonzaga and Bianca Gonzales. No longer on the show are Mariel Rodriguez, who has moved to TV5, and Luis Manzano. The entry of Robi and Martin, who happens to be a son of ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, in conjunction with fellow Atenista, Bianca Gonzales, signals the Ateneo domination among “PBB” hosts. Main host Toni Gonzaga, however, cleared that their role in the show is not to be “pasosyal” but to deliver the news and nothing more. PBB Unlimited: From last season’s “Pinoy Big Brother Double Up,” the popular reality show that has spawned big stars and nurtured late-night TV addicts has now added “Unlimited” to its title. The added appendage remained vague up to the point the ninth edition of the “PBB” hosted a media event Oct. 18 at Elements, a new events facility within the Centris Walk in Quezon City. Business Unit Head Loren Dyogi said the new “PBB” shall be limitless in surprises, shock value, but not in prizes. In a conversation with production manager Mercee Gonzales, we got the impression that this season’s edition will seemingly break all rules set in previous editions. Dyogi says the new format is complicated, like his Facebook status. “There will be unlimited twists to ‘PBB’ this time,” assured Dyogi. The Audition Stories: One of the innovations in the new “PBB” is the advancer called “The Audition Stories,” a compilation of dramatized confessions from among auditionees nationwide. Kicking off the confession series is “The Jojo Amamangpang Story,” which airs on Oct. 24. Gonzales says “PBB” encountered Jojo during a search in Iligan. The staff was so touched by his story. Jojo is a make-up artist who adopted six children despite being poor himself. He auditioned for a slot in “PBB” to ask for help in raising his instant brood. “The Audition Stories” will run for two weeks, starting on the 24th. Already airing at this time is “PBB Unlimited Update,” telecast within “Maria la del Barrio” and “100 Days to Heaven.” Dyogi says 30,789 people auditioned in various points nationwide between March and September this year. Overseas, auditions were also held in the USA and Japan. “PBB” has so far aired three adult, three teen, and two celebrity editions. It made a big splash on Philippine TV when it debuted in 2005 through a partnership with the British production company, Endemol. Star News: It’s Gerald Santos, not Jed Madela, who tied with Piolo Pascual in the category Male Pop Artist of the Year at the recently held 3rd Star Awards for Music. Piolo won for his album, “Decades,” while Gerald was awarded for his “Pinakahihintay.” Star Cinema is determined to push Angeline Quinto to full-star status by assigning her a lead role opposite hot property Coco Martin in a yet untitled movie. The movie started shooting this week and also stars Albert Martinez.

THE management of “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) announced Thursday that it will officially launch its newest season on Oct. 29. The show is dubbed as “Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited,” which will be hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Biaca Gonzalez, and two other celebrities. The show’s new hosts are Kapamilya stars Robbie Domingo, alumnus of “PBB Teen Edition,” and Martin Concio, youngest son of ABS-CBN President Charo Santos.