After more than 20 years, the 'Pinoy Big Brother' house in Quezon City is closing its door, with the reality show set to move to a new place. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
After weeks of speculation, it’s now official: the Pinoy Big Brother house is closing its doors as the reality show moves to a new location.
This was confirmed Tuesday to ABS-CBN News by Laurenti Dyogi, head of TV Production and Star Magic, during the farewell get-together by the staff, some of the show’s hosts and ABS-CBN executives.
“It’s time. This is the time that we officially say goodbye to the house,” Dyogi said.
“We’ve sustained this for 21 years. Years back I’ve been seeing the possibility of moving out of this property. But the collab happened with Channel 7, so found good reason to keep the house.”
The lot where the "PBB" house sits has been sold already but ABS-CBN requested for an extension of its lease to give way to the two editions of "PBB Celebrity Collab" with GMA 7.
'Pinoy Big Brother' hosts Enchong Dee, Bianca Gonzales, Alexa Ilacad and Robi Domingo
The construction of the PBB house began May 2005. It only took three months to finish the construction and the reality show debuted in August of the same year.
"Lakbay TV" used to occupy the area but gave way to the reality show since then.
With a total area of 1,400 square meters, the original "PBB" layout had two bedrooms, one bathroom, a garden, a pool and 26 cameras that worked 24/7. Total cost of the construction back then was a staggering P15 million.
Linggit Tan, the show’s business unit head, together with Dyogi, recalled some of the struggles they went through during its maiden season -- meeting with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), criticisms and reactions from viewers who weren’t used to the reality show format of "PBB," among others.
Tan said that the house was also built only to last for five years, according to the contractor. But it miraculously lasted for 21 years.
“Siyempre sad, we literally built the house 2005 so talagang nakakalungkot,” said Tan.
Two of the show’s hosts, Robi Domingo and Bianca Gonzalez, shared how "PBB" changed the lives not just of the housemates but also people behind the camera.
“Witness 'tong bahay na 'to sa highest of the highest and lowest of the lows. Hindi lang para sa 'kin, para sa most of the team members ng PBB,” said Gonzalez. “Life-changing house hindi lang para sa housemates pero para sa mga nasa likod ng kamera.”
“It has produced a lot of personalities, superstars and lots of stories for our kapamilyas,” added Domingo.
So, the next question is: Is PBB moving to a new house?
“For the coming season, it’s good to have a new feel naman for the new housemates. We’ve decided to move it and build a new PBB house, abangan nila kung saan 'yung new PBB house,” said Dyogi.
There are plans already for a new season and ABS-CBN still has the license for the franchise.
“We still have the formal license for a couple of more years so talagang may aabangan pa ang mga tao, kung saan. Kung kailan, malapit na 'yan, so abangan ninyo ang open auditions for the new season.”
Is it going to be a regular edition, teen, celebrity? Dyogi replied, “Abangan niyo po.”
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