Nostalgia overload! “PBB Collab 3.0” hosts reminisce about funny bloopers, standout houseguests and unforgettable Bahay ni Kuya moments

After two successful iterations, the “Collab” edition of “Pinoy Big Brother” is making a comeback on October 24!  

Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, Gabbi Garcia, Melai Cantiveros, Enchong Dee and Alexa Ilacad will reprise their roles as hosts, with “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” alumnus Michael Sager joining the “BAHAYnihan ni Kuya.”  

Ahead of “PBB Collab 3.0’s” highly anticipated premiere, ABS-CBN Studios asked the hosts about their most memorable experiences both as hosts and as housemates or house guests, as well as which house guest from the previous “Collab” editions left the strongest impression on them in this exclusive video!  

In the two decades that she has been one of the faces of the show, Bianca surely has a lot of stories to tell when it comes to her hosting stint. The “OG Boarder ni Kuya” reminisced that one of her most unforgettable experiences happened during the Big Night of the “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” in 2025.  

Just as she was about to deliver her spiels for the last body where she was about to announce the names of Big Winners Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca, the teleprompter suddenly shutdown. That incident, according to Bianca, indeed put her 21 years of experience in the industry to the test, as she still managed to overcome the unexpected challenge and announce the correct winners.  

Melai, meanwhile, imparted two memorable hosting experiences, both of which taught her valuable lessons. The first involved another teleprompter mishap, which happened during a live broadcast shot in front of Bahay ni Kuya when a truck stopped at a red light and blocked her view of the screen across the street from the old “PBB” house. With her spiel approaching, she improvised by prolonging her delivery of “Big Brother” until the truck moved, realizing that she should never rely solely on a teleprompter. 

Her second unforgettable moment happened during a live eviction night of “PBB Kumunity Season 10: Teen Edition” in 2022, when she and her hosting partner, Enchong, could not contain their laughter. Melai found the incident so embarrassing, which made her assume that she might be removed from the roster of “PBB” hosts after the season. 

For Robi, his most unforgettable hosting experience came during the kick-off of “PBB Unlimited” in 2011, a couple of years after he finished as runner-up in the “PBB Teen Edition Plus” in 2008. He recalled arriving at work well-prepared, but he suddenly experienced a mental block when the live broadcast began. Having forgotten his lines, the “Tambay sa Bahay ni Kuya” ended up blabbering and even confused former co-host Toni Gonzaga when he called her “G” instead of “Toni G.” 

Gabbi, on the other hand, fondly looked back on the very moment it was revealed that she would enter Bahay ni Kuya as a house guest during an episode of “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition.”  

Although she was thrilled about the opportunity, the “Kapuso It Girl ni Kuya” jokingly complained that Big Brother had scheduled her surprise entry during the same week the housemates failed their weekly task and were left without a weekly budget. Nonetheless, she still considered the experience her happiest moment as a “PBB” host. 

Enchong, meanwhile, considered his hilarious blunders and on-air mishaps with Melai among his most memorable hosting moments, especially since some of them have made their way onto social media. The “Official Homeboy ni Kuya” remarked, “It’s funny because it’s always those things na hindi naggo-go through the expected spiel, ’yon ang pinaka mas naaalala dahil ito rin ang pinaka nakakatawa.” 

For Alexa, her most memorable hosting experience happened during the Big Night of “PBB Celebrity Collab 2.0,” which she described as particularly challenging because of the delays at the venue. The “Gen Z Bestie ni Kuya” recalled how her and then co-host Mavy Legaspi’s voices echoed after they delivered their spiels, making it difficult for them to gather their thoughts and banter naturally during the online segments. 

It has been a pre-requisite for hosts to experience living inside Bahay ni Kuya either as an official housemate or a house guest for them to have that complete “PBB” experience. 

For Bianca, who finished as the 3rd Big Placer of “PBB Celebrity Edition,” one of her favorite memories as a housemate was when Kuya called her and the three other remaining housemates to step onto the Big 4 platform several days before their edition’s final week. It was a proud moment for her, as it meant she had made it to the end and survived all the challenges she experienced throughout her journey inside the house. 

“PBB Double Up” Big Winner Melai fondly recalled her bonding moments and dates inside the house with former housemate and now-husband Jason Francisco, which viewers couldn’t get enough of, especially at the time. She also remembered when Kuya gave them a doll they lovingly named “Dengue,” which even caused them to go through a mock custody trial, with their fellow housemates serving as litigators and witnesses. 

For “PBB Teen Edition Plus” runner-up Robi, one of his most unforgettable memories was a task that required him and some of his fellow housemates to get totally bizarre haircuts. Since their hairstyles were determined through a hair roulette, they couldn’t choose their preferences, andhe ended up having half of his hair completely shaved. 

While eviction is often the saddest part of a housemate’s journey, Alexa actually considers her return to the outside world after her “PBB Kumunity Season 10” stint one of her favorite memories. She explained that being evicted allowed her to realize just how many people loved and supported her, as well as strengthened the bond she had formed with the family she gained inside the house. 

Although Gabbi only spent less than a week with the housemates of “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition,” she still made a lot of unforgettable memories with them. Her favorite, however, was when the housemates composed an original song especially for her and performed it during the simple yet fun send-off party they organized before she returned to the outside world. 

Enchong also experienced life inside Bahay ni Kuya as a special house guest during the “PBB 737” season when he joined the hosting line-up. As he seems to have considered it one of his most memorable experiences, he always encourages those who ask him whether they should audition for “PBB” to go for it, as living inside Kuya’s house offers a unique experience that not everyone gets to have.  

Meanwhile, for first-time host Michael, his most favorite memory was his very first day inside the house as a “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” housemate. He recounted getting starstruck upon his entrance since he only used to see it on television, as well as dreamt of making it to the reality show after going through multiple auditions over the past years. The “Kapuso Wonder Host enthused, “I will never forget that. It was such a good feeling. Super kulit ko no’n, super ingay ko agad kasi sabi ko, ‘Wow, nandito na ako.’” 

In both iterations of the “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition,” a slew of celebrities from both ABS-CBN and GMA entered the house to visit the housemates, stay with them for a day or more, assist in their weekly tasks or challenges, and/or help Kuya to further get to know them through their conversations with them.  

Although each of the house guests had made impact in their own ways, there are some who stood out the most for the hosts. 

For Bianca, the choice was a little biased, as she named her “little brother” Donny Pangilinan, whom she described as highly intentional throughout his stint as a house guest. Not many people know that while house guests are usually given activities and schedules to follow inside Bahay ni Kuya, Donny took an active role in planning his stay, pitching ideas for what he wanted to do from beginning to end. As Bianca shared, “Napaka-intentional niya about being a house guest. Ayaw niya ‘yong papasok lang siya. Gusto niya may purpose siya.” 

Donny was also Robi Domingo’s top pick, as the two have been close friends for quite some time. Despite their long-standing friendship, Robi revealed that it was his first time seeing Donny clean the house and getting a glimpse of who he truly is behind the camera, which left a strong impression on him. 

Melai, on the other hand, named Kapuso star Bianca Umali who stood out the most for her, as her stint allowed viewers to get to know her beyond her career as an actress. By willingly opening up about her personal life, Bianca showed a side of herself that not a lot of people have probably seen yet and touched the hearts of many with her stories. 

Gabbi, meanwhile, chose none other than the Unkabogable Phenomenal Box Office Superstar Vice Ganda. Despite her notoriously busy schedule, Gabbi was impressed that the “It’s Showtime” and “Gandang Gabi Vice” host still made time to visit the housemates of both “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” seasons.  

Alexa shared the same choice, citing how Vice had brought a striking balance of hilarious comedy and heartfelt drama to the house through her interactions with the housemates. 

Enchong, on the other hand, mentioned four house guests who left a lasting impression on him, namely, Donny Pangilinan, Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, and Michelle Dee.  

Michael also had several favorites, naming BINI members Stacey Sevilleja and Jhoanna Robles, Michelle Dee, and Gabbi Garcia as the house guests who made the strongest impressions on him. He explained that Stacey and Jhoanna stood out because he and his then-duo partner, Emilio Daez, grew close to the two BINI members during their time together and even became friends outside the house. His meaningful conversations with Michelle also allowed him to get to know her better, while Gabbi’s departure left him and his fellow housemates feeling genuinely sad. 

Are you as excited as we are to see the new Bahay ni Kuya and meet the new set of housemates who will be part of this historic new chapter of “PBB”? Then make sure you don’t miss the premiere of “Pinoy Big Brother Collab 3.0” on October 24 on ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel!