Destiny's hand in Keanna's big win

Gone are the days when she had to settle for a P15,000 talent fee for an out-of-town show just to bring food on the table. For Keanna Reeves is now a big winner, not to mention a millionaire, and with that comes the promise of a brighter future ahead for her career and family. In addition to her big win in ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition, the influential and most sought-after talent manager Boy Abunda will now direct the course of her career in showbizlandia.

Still, the biggest reward that Keanna bagged is the respect that the general public had accorded her. From being a so-so sexy starlet, she could now rightfully claim of being reborn with a positive image - a responsible mother and a real and transparent person well-loved by many Filipinos. Keanna won because she became the epitome of someone who has remained true to herself ("nagpapakatotoo").

I believe that she was also destined to win the PBB Celeb Edition. Remember the report that Keanna was only a second choice next to Rosanna Roces? When Osang backed out allegedly because she found the P10,000 weekly talent fee small, Keanna became the replacement, joining the 14 celebrities of different traits and professions who entered Kuya's house last February 5. Remember how she was initially "pasaway" by refusing to follow Kuya's orders and missing several group activities? As expected, she was among the first three, along with Rico and Rudy, nominated for eviction. But fate has other plans for her, and so came the voluntary exit of our very own Angela Calina that the eviction was suspended for a week. Then came Keanna's confrontation with Mitch over the latter's hunger for attention. That I can say was the first shining moment of Keanna. Her guts to spill out her true feelings towards Mitch got televiewers hooked. That sent a signal that one shouldn't mess with her. Most of my colleagues in the newsroom were all praises for Keanna the following day. Imagine, all the other housemates were beginning to feel suffocated with Mitch's behavior, but it was only Keanna who had the courage to voice it out.

And then came the scene in the confession room where a blindfolded Keanna got to embrace her children for 100 seconds. Later on, when her kids left, Keanna tearfully confessed on national TV that the reason she didn't bring her children with her to the big city was because she didn't want them to suffer the same hardships she went through while trying her luck in imperial Manila. "Ayaw ko na maranasan ninyo ang hirap na pinagdaanan ko. Gusto ko na kung magkasama tayo maibili ko kayo ng gusto ninyo at maipasyal ko kayo kahit saan." From thereon, Keanna's star shone brighter. In the eyes of the public, she became a responsible mother - very different from the image she projected before she joined PBB.

Finally, came Rustom's admission. Of course, rumors that he was gay surfaced years ago, but to finally admit it before the whole world was a big deal because it required a lot of courage. At the same time, Keanna earned the admiration of many because she was the one who drew out the confession. For sure, she had proven to Rustom that she deserves his trust and confidence, prompting him to open up to her. That episode solidified Keanna's chances at victory, clearly becoming the strongest housemate to beat.

Actually, I already saw Keanna's victory coming even before PBB ended. In my mind, ABS-CBN could turn Keanna into a legitimate actress by giving her the right break. With the right push, she could become the next Osang. But I must admit too that when the contest was ongoing, my hopes of Keanna bagging the title would either rise or drop. That was because I saw how Bianca Gonzales was given all the hype inside the house. It was apparent that ABS-CBN was banking on Bianca to win because the cameras were focused on her most of the time - from the moment she wakes up in the morning, to the time she washes her face and brushes her teeth. Bianca was very visible. Adding insult to injury was PBB host Mariel Rodriguez's biased comments - "ang ganda talaga ni Bianca," or "ang talino talaga ni Bianca." Wasn't that already positioning Bianca for the win? Mariel, as a host, should have been objective and should have kept her comments to herself because this was a contest, where everybody should enjoy fair treatment and equal exposure, and not some showbiz-oriented talk show, where you're free to express your personal opinions.

Anyhow, it was after the Big Four was chosen that I was finally convinced Keanna was in for the top prize. Why? Among the four, Keanna was the most bankable - plus the comic that she is, she was a joy to watch. Zanjoe has not proven anything inside the house, Bianca, who started great, became a turn-off with her extraordinary closeness with Zanjoe (there were even reports that they have actually kissed). She came out the bad girl because it was well publicized that she had a boyfriend, in the person of Lino Cayetano, who was waiting for her outside the house. While John underwent painful waxing just to see his loved ones, still it was not enough. And why did he enter the house if he could not bear the loneliness of being away from his family? The waxing challenge was, for me, a favor in disguise.

Another reason why Keanna had to win was because she was the only one who really was in dire need. Zanjoe, Bianca and John appeared to have come from well-to-do families. The common tao found it hard to relate to them, no wonder in the final counting, more than 50% of the votes went in favor of Keanna.

As I see it, ultimately, Keanna won because she symbolizes the true meaning of a "Kapamilya." Her victory could be used in ABS-CBN's campaign to prove the network is a real Kapamilya. Keanna was once lost, was a "sinner," yet destiny granted her another opportunity at proving her worth. As she moves onto a renewed life, where else should she go back to but to the folds of her family? And when that happens her ABS-CBN family would be there to accept her with open arms and guide her so that she'd be able to pick up the pieces of broken dreams, and not be lost again. She, indeed, has a story to tell - of the bouts of many Filipinos against the cruelties of everyday life. It's not hard to package her, indeed.

Keanna is definitely a role model in her own right. Yes, she was an escort girl, a woman who used to sell herself just to survive. But look at where she's now? Her message is clear and simple, there is hope for those who repent from their sins and strive to change. Most of all, everything is possible if we believe in the power of God, and that we do our share to make that change happen. But first, we've got to have a dream and a game plan like Keanna.

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I was invited to screen the applicants for Miss Mandaue 2006 last Sunday at the Waterfront Hotel Lahug along with Bb. Pilipinas World Anna Maris Igpit, Miss Cebu Stephanie Señeres, awarded choreographers Junjet Primor and Doy Aradaza, Atty. Elias Espinoza, Madam Mariz Araneta and friends Roger Serna and Niza Mariñas. It was an enjoyable task but tiring as well as there were 51 applicants. Though many of them are promising, only 20 would be taken in for the chance to compete for the title. We will get to know the official candidates after they are formally presented to the press in the days to come. Anyhow, allow me to share to you Anna's thank you card, which she personally handed to me last Sunday: Ryan Mark,

Just wanted to give this simple yet very meaningful card as a way of showing my gratitude for all the support and prayers you gave me. Though we're not that close, you have written good things about me eversince my Ms. Talisay days (I even have the articles pahehe). Thank you so much for the never-ending support. Your articles encouraged and inspired me to believe in myself and not be afraid to reach my dreams. Thank you once again and you will always be part of my victory. God bless you always! Keep up the good work and continue to encourage and inspire people.

This gesture flattered me so much because after almost two years of being a columnist it's the first time that a celebrity went out of her way just to give me a thank you card. Grabe, I'm gonna cry na React at [email protected]