In a "Pinoy Big Brother" season themed as “collab” where Kapamilya and Kapuso artists had to live under one roof, Bianca de Vera and Dustin Yu gave the word "duo" a sweeter meaning by adding a spark of kilig. But their journey wasn’t just about the 'loveteam' moments; it was also a story of persevering and growing.
Dustin and Bianca–DusBi or DustBia to their legion of shippers–describe their closeness as unexpected, like a plot twist even they didn’t see coming. They’re polar opposites. She’s the effervescent, 'OA' one while he’s the unbothered, nonchalant guy. But somehow, they just clicked. If you need living proof that “opposites attract” is more than just a cliché, maybe it’s these two, whose friendship grew in the middle of tasks and the intense atmosphere inside Kuya’s house.
For Dustin, what started as a surprise turned into something profoundly special. “Honestly, nu’ng nakita ko siya the first time, pagpasok niya pa lang ng garden area, namangha na ako sa confidence niya,” he recalls, stealing a glance at Bianca mid-sentence. “The way she carries herself, grabe, sobrang confident niyang tao. Lagi siyang naka-smile at na-amaze ako sa kung paano niya i-balance ’yung pagiging fun niya at pagiging matalino at serious sa buhay.”
His subtle 'kilig' smile is also impossible to miss when it's Bianca’s turn to speak, and she explains that she never expected they’d grow this close, considering their differences, but she found herself admiring his leadership qualities and the way he always looks out for the people he truly cares about.
Now back to their usual grind outside the house following their eviction last June 28 just one step short of making it to the Big Four—Dustin would still rate their bond at a solid ten. Bianca, in her usual sassy energy, teases that she’d leave a little room for mystery. “Hindi natin masyadong i-give, so 9.5,” she says in jest, after they reenact one of their moments inside the house that made a nation of viewers fall for DusBi, when Dustin casually slipped a “mahal kita” under the guise of a pick-up line.
But contrary to what others might say, it wasn’t just the budding romance that kept Dustin and Bianca busy in "Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition." Their journey as housemates was also marked by grit and determination—both individually and later on as a duo. They weathered countless tests, proving themselves time and again, especially during the grueling series of Big Jump Challenges. Their efforts culminated in them landing as the fifth duo before the Big Four was completed, which reflects how much they fought and gave their all, far from being preoccupied with love alone as some critics claim.
When they stepped back into the outside world as the season’s final evictees, they carried with them lessons that reshaped the way they see themselves and the world around them. Bianca anchors her reflection on patience, not just the patience to push through obstacles, but the kind that lets you give yourself grace to bloom beautifully at your own pace, "Noon kasi atat na atat ako na mag-grow. Gusto ko overnight. But then I realized na it takes time. It's really a process." She also learned how to stand her ground and take responsibility, "paninindigan" as she puts it, "Paninindigan sa lahat ng salitang nabitawan ko at sa lahat ng actions ko." With these realizations, she vows to keep striving toward a better version of herself.
"That house healed me in so many different aspects,"she muses on her PBB journey, believing that everything that happened, good or bad, was exactly what she needed to grow. It might seem surprising given the confidence she radiated from day one, but Bianca reveals she was wrestling with self-doubt prior to entering Bahay Ni Kuya. Yet living as a housemate gave her a whole new perspective on who she is, "Na-realize ko talaga na I deserve to love myself the same way that other people see me."
Dustin had a similar transformation. "It really made me a better person. Ang dami kong ups and downs. Ang dami kong pagsubok na na-experience. Talagang sinubok ako as a person," he confesses. Before joining the show, he thought he had little left to improve on, but life inside the house pushed him in ways he never expected. "Mas naging understanding ako, mas grabe na ako mag-love sa family ko," he says, grateful for the lessons that shaped him into a better man. Before “PBB Collab,” Dustin didn’t have much big dreams for himself or his career, but after everything he went through, he found his new purpose both as a person and as an actor.
He also talks about his newfound appreciation for life’s simplest joys. Stripped of gadgets and the usual comforts inside Kuya’s house, he learned how to find contentment in quiet moments and cherish the little things that often go unnoticed.
No regrets for DusBi, except for Dustin wishing he’d spent less time napping during the day and more time savoring every minute with the housemates. "Sana nakipaglaro na lang ako, kuwentuhan," he shares, now missing the “PBB” life.
And as they finally face the outside world with these new perspectives, they have a few words for those who may not fully understand them, or those quick to judge from the outside looking in. "Kung saan kayo kuntento, you do you. Basta kami, alam po namin kung ano 'yung totoo sa hindi," says Bianca.
Dustin understands that everyone has their own favorite housemate, their 'bias,' and he’s perfectly fine with that. But instead of fueling hate toward others, he hopes people can choose to spread a little more love. After all, with the overwhelming support that greeted him and Bianca following their eviction, he’s learned to focus on the positive. He makes it a point to remind Bianca to take things easy as well.
DusBi also looks back on one of the most talked-about episodes of the season—the return of the evictees as Duo Challengers, grilling the then-remaining housemates to test their “Big Winner” qualities in the Big Tapatan task. Bianca admits she was anxious then, as she didn't want to crack under pressure, “Kasi ’pag nag-snap ka, doon ka matatalo.”Thankfully, Dustin served as her anchor through it all. "He was really there all throughout. He was keeping me steady, keeping my feet on the ground,” she narrates, and it’s only now she’s finally had the chance to thank him for it.
"Basta ako, tatayo lang ako doon, poprotektahan ko 'yung duo ko, si Bianca," Dustin says of what was going through his mind before facing the Duo Challengers. He remembers walking in the room smiling, excited to see everyone again, only to be surprised by the Challengers’ harsh questions.
The duo accepted their eviction gracefully even though they were just one step away from making it to the Big Night. "Part 'yun ng pananatili sa Bahay Ni Kuya. Ganu'n talaga ang buhay," Dustin says. As for Bianca, she describes their eviction as bittersweet. She didn’t want to leave and, even now, she misses Kuya and their co-housemates.
But the heaviness melted away the moment they stepped outside and saw the crowd waiting for them. Fans were there cheering, holding banners, and shouting their names. "Napangiti ako agad," shares Dustin. "Na-excite ako na yakapin sila at mag-hi sa kanilang lahat." Bianca adds she was amazed to know that so many people could love them that much. "If I could just stay at that moment forever, I'd do so," she says.
Now that their 'housemate era' is behind them, Dustin and Bianca are excited about what comes next. They’re both hoping for a chance to work together, especially on something fun like a rom-com material, which they feel would be close to how they are in real life. Or even better, they'd switch roles, Bianca playing the nonchalant one and Dustin taking on the 'OA' character.
Here’s hoping we see DusBi lighting up our screens soon. Because the outside world needs more of their charm and chemistry!