CinemaBravo

Since the special 20th anniversary edition of Pinoy Big Brother was announced as a collaboration between the country’s biggest content leaders—GMA Network and ABS-CBN Studios—“Ang Gen Z Bestie ni Kuya” Alexa Ilacad initially thought she would no longer be part of this latest edition. With more hosts joining the show, she assumed she was one too many. But just when she had come to terms with sitting this one out, she got the unexpected call that she was still in.

She revealed this during the media conference for Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition, held today at Dolphy Theater inside ABS-CBN Compound.

As this 18th season overall gears up for its highly anticipated March 9 premiere (for the first time on GMA), Alexa is returning as an official host, ready to mentor newcomer Mavy Legaspi from the Kapuso roster.

“Una po sa lahat, again, I’m so thankful na mapabilang pa rin sa Pamilya ni Kuya. Honestly, I thought hindi na ako makakasama for this season.”

(First of all, again, I’m so thankful to still be part of Kuya’s Family. Honestly, I thought I wouldn’t be included this season.)

“But I was so happy to get the call na I’m still part of this season, lalo [na’t] collab pa! Who wouldn’t want to be part of this season, di ba?”

(But I was so happy to get the call that I’m still part of it, especially since it’s a collaboration! Who wouldn’t want to be part of this season, right?)

“So, thank you, Lord! And again, thank you po kay Kuya talaga. And sa Pamilya ni Kuya, I’m very happy to be with them again.”

(So, thank you, Lord! And again, thank you so much to Kuya. And to Kuya’s Family, I’m very happy to be with them again.)

Alexa’s piece of advice for Mavy

Now in her second year as a host, Alexa is also ready to share the screen with someone from the Kapuso Network—Mavy, the “Kapuso Royal Tropa ni Kuya”. When asked about her advice for him, she shared:

“Siguro sa one year ko po as an online host, ang mabibigay ko po siguro na advice kay Mavy is to learn how to balance all the fun and when it’s time to be serious.”

(Maybe in my one year as an online host, the advice I can give to Mavy is to learn how to balance all the fun and when it’s time to be serious.)

“Kasi may times kapag nagho-host, since everything is live, it’s like you’re always on your toes thinking of what to say, what to banter with your co-host, or with a housemate, or with the audience.”

(Because there are times when you’re hosting, since everything is live, it’s like you’re always on your toes thinking of what to say, what to banter about with your co-host, with a housemate, or with the audience.)

“And may times na sa sobrang enjoy mo, [naki-carry] away ka, baka may masabi kang hindi dapat. So, I guess it was also a… lesson for me to know when to balance na ‘Okay, serious na ako’ and yung fun lang and yung pagiging serious ko as a host.

(And there are times when you’re having so much fun that you might get carried away and say something you shouldn’t. So, I guess it was also a lesson for me to know when to balance—’Okay, it’s time to be serious’—and when to just have fun while being serious as a host.)

She was quick to direct the attention to Mavy, asking him, “So, nakuha mo ba yon, Mavy?”

(So, did you get that, Mavy?)

Mavy playfully responded, “Roger that, Architect.”

Groundbreaking collaboration

This upcoming edition of Pinoy Big Brother is set to be historic, as it marks the franchise’s move to GMA Network and the groundbreaking collaboration between GMA Network’s talent management arm Sparkle and ABS-CBN Studios‘ Star Magic.

Joining Alexa in the hosting lineup are PBB veterans Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Enchong Dee, and Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, along with Sparkle’s Gabbi Garcia and Mavy Legaspi. Together, they will bring viewers closer to the action as a mix of Sparkle and Star Magic stars take on the challenges inside Kuya’s house.

Will this fusion of Kapamilya and Kapuso talents bring new alliances or spark unexpected rivalries? Don’t miss the premiere of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition on March 9, airing weeknights at 10:00 p.m. and weekends at 6:15 p.m. on GMA Network. Viewers can also stream the show live on Pinoy Big Brother’s YouTube page, Kapamilya Online Live, and iWantTFC, and TFC.