Daniel Matsunaga: ‘I’m Filipino at heart’

CEBU, Philippines -  Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga was named the Big Winner of “Pinoy Big Brother All In,” besting all the other housemates of the reality show’s historic season that featured teen, regular, and celebrity housemates.

Daniel garnered 11.69% net votes (18.52% ‘votes to save’ and -6.83% ‘votes to evict’) as announced during the “PBB All In: The Big Night” last Sunday, August 24, at the Resorts World Manila.

“Sa tingin ko dahil mahal na mahal ko kayo. Some people would think na hindi ako Filipino, pero I am so much more proud to be a Filipino at heart than many others out there na hindi proud sa country,” Daniel said tearfully, when asked why he thought Filipino viewers voted for him.

“I’m thankful, first to God, who gave me this opportunity. One day sinabi Niya sa akin na I have a purpose dito sa Pilipinas, and I guess this purpose is today. Mahal na mahal ko kayo,” he added.

Dubbed as the season’s “Hunk of the World ng Makati,” Daniel entered the famous PBB house in May during the first live eviction of the season. As the Big Winner, he won P1 million, three business franchises, an Asian tour for two, and a brand new condominium unit.

Teen housemate Maris Racal, meanwhile, was hailed as the 2nd Big Placer for getting 3.1% net votes and won P500,000. Actress Jane Oineza emerged as the 3rd Big Placer with -0.73% net votes, while regular housemate Vickie Rushton was named the 4th Big Placer with -0.78% net votes. Jane and Vickie got P300,000 and P200,000, respectively. All the Big Four housemates each received a home entertainment package.

The Twitter-trending Big Night, hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez, John Prats, and Robi Domingo, featured performances and appearances from “PBB” alumni Kim Chiu, Sam Milby, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Ejay Falcon, Matt Evans, Alex Gonzaga, celebrities Joseph Marco and Tutti Caringal, and all the ex-“PBB All In” housemates.

“PBB All In” marked many firsts for the successful reality show, including revealing some of the housemates in several TV programs before its grand kick-off, holding its final eviction night a day before the Big Night, and assembling a diverse set of 19 teen, regular, and celebrity housemates. (PR)