'PBB Collab' housemates 'emotionally, physically challenged' filming 1st series
MANILA, Philippines — The friendship formed inside the "Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition" helped its housemates finish filming their upcoming first series together, the thriller "The Secrets of Hotel 88."
Former child star and ex-housemate of the popular house Xyriel Manabat credited their bond as a key factor that helped their series to become better. The camera veteran said that she and her fellow celebrity housemates helped each other in their scenes.
“About sa mga nanghihingi ng tulong or nakatulong, 'yung dynamics kasi namin dito parang lahat kami uhaw matuto. So may times na isang beses pa lang kaming nagpapang-abot ni Mika sa lock-in taping tapos nagkataon na pareho kaming passionate nong araw na 'yon. As in sobrang niro-romanticize namin 'yung buhay. Tapos napag-usapan namin 'yung drive namin sa series na 'to kung gaano kami ka-excited, ka-passionate and, at the same time, may mga tinatanong din siya kung pano 'pag ganto, pano pag ganyan,” she said, referring to Mika Salamanca, their edition's big winner.
Apart from making sure that they executed the scenes well, the ABS-CBN and GMA-7 collaboration show is also is emotionally and physically draining. To combat this, they turn to each other for inspiration and motivation.
“Kung kaming magkakaibigan medyo emotionally struggling or medyo nade-drain na kami kasi medyo physically drained na, so medyo naapektuhan 'yung utak namin kahit papaano. Parang kami 'yung nagiging hugutan ng lakas ng isa't isa,” she said.
“Parang non-verbal man, pero we help each other, and we really teach other na something na hindi magmu-mukhang mas angat ka dito. More of collaborative effort, parang ambagan. Ganon siya. Lahat kami may inputs sa isa't isa,” she added.
GMA Network and ABS-CBN team up once again to unveil “The Secrets of Hotel 88,” a suspense-filled series headlined by cast of the “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 1." The series premieres on GMA Prime beginning March 2 at 9:35 p.m. following its early digital debut on iWant on February 23.
“The Secrets of Hotel 88” brings together big winners Mika Salamanca and Brent Manalo, alongside fellow housemates AZ Martinez, Ralph De Leon, River Joseph, Klarisse De Guzman, Esnyr Ranollo, Xyriel Manabat, Josh Ford, Kira Balinger, Dustin Yu, Bianca De Vera, and Will Ashley. The Star Creatives-produced series is directed by Henry Quitain.
At the heart of the story are the Fernandez brothers — Gio (Brent), Martin (Ralph), and Francis (Will) — who are unexpectedly reunited following the mysterious death of the father they never knew. Their lives collide when they inherit Hotel 88, a once-grand property haunted by unresolved conflicts and long-buried secrets.
Their claim, however, is quickly challenged by the influential Almazan family, led by Luna Almazan (Mika), Leon Almazan (River), Jade Almazan (Bianca), and Justin Almazan (Josh), who assert their own stake in the historic hotel. What follows is a tense battle of loyalty, power, and truth, where shifting alliances and hidden revelations threaten to destroy both families.
As tensions rise between the Fernandezes and the Almazans, viewers will discover how Sari (AZ), Edward (Dustin), Raphie (Esnyr), Monette (Klarisse), Cheska (Xyriel), and Trixie (Kira) become deeply entwined in the lives of both families — each with personal stories and hidden agendas that reveal what truly brought them to Hotel 88.
The series also features industry veterans Dominic Ochoa, Gardo Versoza, and Ina Raymundo.
RELATED: 'Not a huge deal': Xyriel Manabat proud of her nose job
- Latest
- Trending
