Throughout the 16-year run of Pinoy Big Brother, we’ve heard various stories and motivations of aspirants in joining the highly successful reality program. While some have their eyes on the whopping prize once hailed as the Big Winner or consider this as a way of finding their authentic selves or new friends, it’s inevitable that there are auditionees who perceive this as their springboard in making their dream of becoming a star come true.
While every Big Winner has enjoyed some level of success following their season, there are many non-winners, either evicted along the way or only placed as runners-up, who have gone on to create their mark in show business as promising actresses and talented performers, just like the PBB alumnae listed in this Kapamilya gallery!
We definitely used to admire their adorable friendship during the All-In season in 2014, wherein Loisa Andalio was the last housemate to be evicted, while Maris Racal emerged as the Second Big Placer. And now, both of them are taking the local entertainment scene by storm as one of the hottest stars of their generation.
She may have failed to land a spot in the Big Four, but Loisa found success in the outside world by starring in a string of series, namely, Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita (2015), Be My Lady (2016), My Dear Heart (2017), The Good Son (2017), The General’s Daughter (2019), Unloving U (2021), and Love in 40 Days (2022). The "Talented Darling ng Parañaque" also gained popularity for her tandem with real-life boyfriend Ronnie Alonte, who she met on the set of It’s Showtime, and regularly performs alongside him on ASAP Natin ‘To.
Maris, on the other hand, went on to become a fast-rising singer and actress. She earned roles in Hawak Kamay (2014), Ningning (2015), We Will Survive (2016), Hanggang Saan (2017) and Pamilya Ko (2019). The “Singing Sunshine ng Davao” has also been working on her music, with “Asa Naman”, “Ate Sandali”, and “Not For Me” as her latest singles.
Among the 737 housemates, Barbie Imperial is arguably one of the most successful. She may be the first one to exit Kuya’s house during their batch, yet Barbie still managed to start her showbiz career by being part of All of Me (2015) and Langit Lupa (2016), as well as portraying herself when her inspiring life story was featured in Maalaala Mo Kaya. The biggest break of "The Doll along the Riles of Albay" came in 2018 when she was tapped to be the leading lady of JM de Guzman in Precious Hearts Romances Presents Araw Gabi, followed by her bida-kontrabida role in Bagong Umaga (2020).
During her Lucky Season 7 stint, Heaven Peralejo was one of the top favorites. But she had to abruptly end her journey when she voluntarily exited to support her beloved mother who was due to have surgery at that time. “The Mommy's Angel of Makati” was eventually able to focus on her showbiz career and appeared in teleseryes such as Sana Dalawa Ang Puso (2018) and Pamilya Ko (2019). It was in 2020, when she earned her first lead role as Tisay in the afternoon drama Bagong Umaga.
Her batchmate Vivoree Esclito, meanwhile, stayed longer inside the house as she only got evicted on Day 98. The “Go Getter Girl Ng Bohol” was also able to pursue an exciting acting career and got cast for television projects like Asintado (2018), Since I Found You (2018), The Killer Bride (2019), He’s Into Her (2021), and most recently in Huwag Kang Mangamba (2021).
Last, but definitely not the least, are the teen ex-housemates of the Otso season Criza Ta-a, Kaori Oinuma, and Karina Bautista, who are all making a name for themselves in the local entertainment scene.
Criza may be the third housemate to get evicted from the Batch 1, yet she was able to score a second shot in the outside world. The “Apo of the Eye of Quezon City” was bestowed a role in the highly successful drama Kadenang Ginto (2018) and further proved herself and even received praise for her performance in He’s Into Her (2021).
Kaori, on the other hand, was able to break into the Big Four of the Batch 1, as well as in the Ultim8 Batch when she was declared as the 8th Big Placer. Nevertheless, the “Kawaii Daughter of Japan” continued to gain fame as an actress by starring in various shows, such as Parasite Island (2019), Home Sweetie Home Extra Sweet (2020), and the popular teen drama He’s Into Her (2021).
Karina was also part of the Big Four of the Batch 1, but her journey was cut short after failing to earn a spot in the Big Otso. But that didn’t hinder the “Miss Independent of Isabela” from finding a place for herself in showbiz as she appeared in the afternoon drama Sandugo (2019), in the iWantTFC original series Hoy, Love You (2021), and in the primetime series Viral Scandal.
May the inspirational journeys of these PBB alumnae-turned-promising Kapamilya actresses may motivate you to also keep on working hard in pursuit of your dreams!