Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition housemates Ashley Ortega and Shuvee Etrata shared how their friendship grew from an on-set connection to becoming condo housemates for one year already.
The PBB housemates live in a three-bedroom flat together.
In an interview with Vice Ganda, the two relayed that they first met while working on the series Hearts On Ice. "One month pa lang ako sa Manila, siya 'yung bida [sa show] tapos ako ‘yung friend-friend niya dun," Shuvee shared.
Ashley said they quickly became close while filming the show. "Actually apat po kami sa show na naging close: si Roxie (Smith), si Shuvee, ako, at tsaka si Skye (Chua). Ano po kasi, naging close ako sa kanila ni Roxie kasi lahat kami we all live alone independently. Tapos na 'yung Hearts On Ice, bonding na, mas naging close din kami after the show," she said.
At the time, Ashley and Shuvee lived in separate condominiums. "Dati kasi ‘di ba tag-isa isa kami ng condo. We live alone... I wanted to move na kasi mas gusto ko 'yung mas bago ba, parang two years na kaming friends ni Shuvee nun. Tapos siyempre living alone, wala rin kasi akong family na kasama so parang nahirapan kami, pati siya, so that's why we relate to one another kasi 'yung family niya nasa Cebu tapos medyo parehas 'yung pinagdadaanan namin," Ashley relayed.
Ashley was the one who suggested living together. "Ako po actually 'yung [nag-suggest] nung idea na 'yun kasi parang studio lang siya nakatira, [sabi ko], 'You need a bigger space na," she said.
When asked why she agreed to the arrangement, Shuvee expressed deep admiration for Ashley.
"Bago ko kasi siya maging kaibigan nandun 'yung respeto ko sa kanya bilang artista... Para niya akong na-inspire maging better actor. Being in the industry as a beginner maganda na naging friend ko siya. Before ko siya naging friend, nilo-look up ko siya. Mataas 'yung tingin ko sa kanya, the respect is there so nung naging friends kami, trinesure ko siya," Shuvee remarked.