Which ‘PBB Celebrity Collab’ duos will make it to the Big Four?

Many viewers of “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition” think that the three-day final duo formation process could’ve been done in one episode. But for the housemates, this waiting time was much needed to deliberate who to partner with and who could potentially bring them to the Big Night finale on July 5 as the first Big Winner duo of this Kapuso-Kapamilya edition of the iconic reality TV series.

As Big Brother said it best after the duos were formed, they are not just partners for the sake of the tasks, but a reflection of who they are, both individually and as a pair.

After the June 7 live episode, not a few viewers agreed that each duo was destined to be partnered, with each having their own advantages depending on likability, chemistry, performance in the house over the past three months, and whether their online support can translate to votes.

Ralph and Will

As the first housemate to accomplish the challenging duo formation task of arranging photos of his loved ones in order on a pole and placing them on a podium, Ralph De Leon earned the advantage of picking his partner first.

Out of the two Kapuso housemates who volunteered, Ralph chose his close friend Will Ashley over his romantic interest AZ Martinez. This shouldn’t be surprising for those who’ve followed the Kapamilya housemate’s strategy. Even AZ, who had previously partnered with Ralph, understood his decision.

He may be one of the most competitive housemates, but it balances out with his charismatic personality, enough for viewers to vote him back inside the house after his eviction.

Partnering for the first time with Will, who is just as likable, gives the duo an advantage. The only time Will has been nominated, he led as the most-voted Kapuso housemate saved by viewers.

Viewers have also noticed how much they’ve grown individually: Ralph is more determined to fight for his place in the competition, while Will has finally come out of his shell after being reserved in the early weeks.

It’s no wonder Ralph chose Will, who, interestingly, shares his last name as part of his full birth name (Will Ashley Ramos de Leon). Both likable housemates have a strong chance of making it to the Big Four, possibly even winning.

Shuvee and Klarisse

As the second to pick her partner, Cebuana housemate Shuvee Etrata is just as competitive as Ralph, with the added advantage of being the last Kapuso to enter the house, giving her an outsider’s perspective on who the most likable personalities are.

Despite initially wanting to partner with Esnyr based on this insight, Shuvee ultimately chose Klarisse de Guzman. She told Big Brother in the confession room that her love for Klarisse had grown so much during their stay that it felt only right to partner with her, which Klarisse heartily accepted.

Viewers weren’t surprised by this pairing. Both ladies consistently supported each other, especially during a heated confrontation between Klarisse and Dustin Yu, when Shuvee sat between them in an attempt to cool things down.

Both have been nominated once in separate evictions, but neither was the last to be called safe, which is proof of their fan support. They also perform well in tasks, with Klarisse consistently following the rules, which complements Shuvee’s competitiveness.

They also have parallel journeys: Shuvee entered the house as an unknown to most viewers but became one of the most loved this season, while Klarisse finally received recognition after a decade in the industry for her likable personality, which shone throughout her stay in the house.

Their pairing is among the most popular, fueled by social media engagement, including memes like the Wicked-inspired edit of Shuvee as Glinda and Klarisse as Elphaba – and the strong girl power energy they share. Their combination of popularity and performance could take them all the way to the finale.

Dustin and Bianca

As one of the loveteams formed inside the house, Dustin and Bianca de Vera ended up being the only final duo made up of romantic interests. Fitting as it is, the reception to DustBia has long been divisive, even before they were officially paired. Among the announced final duos, they received the most laugh reactions on Facebook, reflecting their controversial status.

But they’ve also garnered surprisingly strong fan support. Despite the negative reactions, other viewers enjoy their chemistry. That niche following has translated into votes. When nominated in separate evictions, both received strong votes to stay.

Performance-wise, neither Dustin nor Bianca has made major strategic moves to stand out as competitive housemates. Despite the mixed reception and less impactful gameplay, the unwavering efforts of their dedicated supporters might carry the controversial loveteam to the Big Night.

Mika and Brent

Mika Salamanca and Brent Manalo have grown close as friends inside the house, so it’s no surprise they paired up. Their bond was clear when Brent faked declining Mika’s invite before saying yes – a joke that caught Mika and hosts Bianca Gonzalez and Gabbi Garcia off-guard.

Despite a few controversies surrounding Mika before entering the house, she remains one of the most likable housemates, while Brent has solid support as well. Performance-wise, Mika is the stronger of the two, while Brent feels more like a follower – not quite a floater, but not a standout leader either.

Each gained significant votes to be saved from their respective fan bases when they were nominated. Whether those fan bases can combine forces to push them into the Big Four remains to be seen.

AZ and River

While AZ wasn’t picked by Ralph, it may have been more fitting for her to team up with River Joseph, whose personality complements hers. They work well together as friends and as competitors.

In terms of reception, AZ and River are middle-of-the-pack. Each had minor missteps that could’ve affected public opinion, but they managed to redeem themselves, proof of their good character, which resonates with fellow housemates and viewers alike.

While not as strongly competitive as some of the housemates, AZ and River never half-bake their efforts during tasks, which helps explain why they’ve lasted this long. But it’s harder to gauge whether their fan support as a duo will translate to votes. In the earlier weeks when they were up for evictions, they were partnered with housemates who had stronger fan bases. AZ was paired with Ralph, while River was paired with Will and evicted housemate Michael Sager.

Even with their likable chemistry and their great performance in tasks, AZ and River may have to work even harder in the next four weeks to convince viewers and housemates that they deserve a spot in the Big Four.

Esnyr and Charlie

As the last two housemates remaining, the pairing of Esnyr and Charlie Fleming didn’t feel like an afterthought. In fact, their partnership came at the right time, considering their respective journeys.

During duo formation week, both experienced setbacks where Charlie voluntarily took 12th place, setting aside her competitiveness, while Esnyr was surprised by his low ranking from his housemates and failed to complete the difficult task.

Being the last to be picked clearly stung for Esnyr, but being paired with Charlie, both well-loved in the house and by viewers, may prove to be a blessing, showing that the phrase “save the best for last” exists for a reason.

Both have performed strongly in tasks and have shown effective leadership when assigned as task leaders.

Since Esnyr has never been nominated, it’s unclear how he’ll fare in the voting. However, his popularity when the season began suggests strong online support that could translate into actual votes. Charlie, despite her earlier eviction alongside partner Kira Balinger, returned to the house as the top-voted Kapuso housemate, proof that her fan base is solid.

Their shared backgrounds – both from Mindanao and breadwinners – resonate with many viewers. Together, Esnyr and Charlie may be a formidable duo and a potential Big Winner, a much-needed redemption arc that could carry them to the finish line.

“PBB: Celebrity Collab Edition” airs weeknights at 10:05 p.m., and Saturdays at 6:15 p.m. on GMA, Kapuso Stream, and Kapamilya Online Live, with 24/7 livestreams available on GMA Network’s website and iWantTFC.