When Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition Big Winner Mika Salamanca officially announced the launch of her first ever chidlren’s book, Lipad, earlier this month, no one else was happier for her than her duo partner and co-winner Brent Manalo. Even after leaving the PBB house, the two have maintained a close bond on and off camera.
During the 2025 Preview Ball, Brent shared with PUSH BETS host Gary Lastrilla, his initial reaction after reading Mika’s book Lipad which is a story about the journey of a young fairy named Mahika, who feels inadequate because her wings are small and unique. The story gives a powerful message about embracing one's uniqueness, self-love, and finding the courage to be confident.
“Nung binabasa ko yung libro, parang si Mika yung na-i-imagine ko dun sa character. Kaya ang galing. It’s beautifully written. It’s really about her. Kahit na it’s about her, you can really resonate with it kaya ang ganda,” he told PUSH BETS.
More than just being colleagues onscreen, Brent also shared how happy he was to meet Mika’s pet dog Molly and how he would love for her to meet his own pets as well.
"Na-meet ko na si Molly, yung dog niya at saka yung mga cats niya na-meet ko na din. Ang saya kasi dati pinag-uusapan lang namin. Yung dog ko hindi ko pa na-mi-meet kasi nasa province ngayon dahil yung family ko muna nag-aalaga since mag-isa lang ako sa condo. Pareho kaming fur parent. Sabi nga namin i-do-dog date namin sila!” he shared.
Brent also talked about the positive feedback for his performance in the role of Shawn Lucas Dela Fuente in the film adaptation of The Four Bad Boys and Me where he admitted to taking inspiration from Kim Seon-Ho’s “Mr. Good Boy” character Han Ji Pyeong in the South Korean drama Start-Up.
“Siyempre, we’ve only been dreaming about this to finally come out and now that it’s out for everyone to watch and re-watch because it’s out on YouTube, and saya. Sobrang saya. We’re all hoping (for a part two),” he admitted.
Aside from his current showbiz commitments, Brent also admitted to wanting to better his craft by learning more about acting. “Yun naman, ngayon we’re going to undergo a series of acting workshops. May mga iba ring na-mention na ring ilang gagawin na proyekto for acting. Hopefully, mas ma-share ko pa pag na-finalize na. Kaya maraming kailangan abangan!” he added.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Brent Manalo to channel inner ‘good boy’ in ‘The Four Bad Boys and Me’ movie
After stepping out in an ensemble by Koko Gonzales at the Preview Ball, Brent talked about his experience in the Filipiniana-themed event.
“Yung stylist ko and me watched to show something that would really showcase yung Filipino fabrics, Filipino fashion. This is actually reclaimed fabric na nakuha nila sa flood and they turned it into something new. I’m also wearing South Sea pearls from Jewelmer. For me, yung Filipino design and Filipino culture, it’s meant for the world stage. So kahit papano I hope meron kaming followers outside the Philippines that would somehow see the beauty in our culture. Being Filipino feels like being courageous dahil matatapang tayo. Pinalaki tayo ni Gabriela Silang, ni Lapu-Lapu kaya I would say courageous,” he explained.
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