Mika Salamanca was thankful to finally fulfill her decade-long dream of becoming a housemate with Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab. The 24-year-old ended up becoming declared as one of the Big winners this season along with her duo partner Brent Manalo last July. Fast forward to this month, they are now one of the country’s most popular love teams, along with the rest of their PBB family.
During her exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during the Acer Day 2025 event held last August 9, Mika shared how much she thinks she has changed since coming back from the States and trying her luck out in showbiz again.
“Since galing ako ng States, sobrang laki ng pibagbago ko kasi parang mga tatlong taon na ako nag-i-stay sa Philippines. Sobrang dami kong natutunan sa mga taong nakakasama ko. Mas naging strong ako, mas naging numb ako sa lahat ng binabato sa akin na masasakit. And now, coming out of the Bahay ni Kuya, ang na-ri-receive ko mga love. Parang bago siyang pakiramdam para sa akin. I’m so happy.”
WATCH: Mika Salamanca shares her favorite PBB moment of BINI Gwen | PUSH TV
Being given the nickname, "Ang Controversial Ca-Babe-len ng Pampanga" when she entered the PBB house, Mika admitted she has had her fair share of criticism from netizens which she has grown stronger from.
Alam niyo, as a human, parang pag talagang bad day, kahit anong sabihin mo na ay, hindi, hindi ko mararamdaman yung mga sinasabi nila, dahil I know myself, I’m self-secure. Pero kasi may mga times na pag sad ka, kahit anong sabihin sa ‘yo, babalik eh. Pero at the end of the day, kung kilala niyo talaga yung sarili niyo,dun mo talaga ma-ko-compose, at the end of the day, kung sino talaga yung tinitingnan mo sa salamin, kung anong sinasabi nun, yun talaga yung papakinggan mo,” she explained.
As a public figure, Mika revealed why she is not even afraid of being cancelled online anymore. “Kasi lahat ata na-ka-cancel na eh. Pero siyempre hindi yun magiging way sa akin para maging careless. Hindi ako takot in a way na alam ko kung sino ako, alam ko kung ano yung mga nilalabas ko sa tao, and everyday, I try my best para maging better. And for sure, nakikita yun ng mga tao, especially now,” she added.
READ: Mika Salamanca and Bianca de Vera buy matching luxury bags worth ₱420,000
More than just a picture perfect image projected onscreen, Mika also gave some insight on another side of her life not always seen on social media. Last month, her manager Jan Enriquez was the one who shared snapshots of the PBB Big Winner volunteering in two different soup kitchens being mobilized for the victims of Typhoon Crising on his personal account. Mika could be seen preparing hot meals for affected families in Metro Manila. He also shared that during that time, Mika also held a fundraiser online to give extra help.
“Sobrang importante sa akin yun, even before. Hindi lang namin pinapakita na kahit na anong event and everything namin, importante. I always make sure na hangga’t kaya makatulong. Hindi ko kaya na okay ako or may ginagawa akong celebration tapos may ibang tao na agrabyado dahil sa bagyo or calamity. Actually, yung manager ko natatakot nun. Sila yung pumipigil sa akin (lumabas). Pero siyempre, may mga tao na araw-araw halos yun ang struggle, tapos ako hindi ko kakayanin? Parang hindi ko kaya yung ganun,” she said.
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