It’s the end of an era for the famous yellow-and-blue house we've all grown up watching. With the "Pinoy Big Brother" house (currently along Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City) being relocated, the "PBB" family including former housemates, hosts, and the program staff, as well as the fans, are feeling a hint of 'sepanx' and are suddenly reminiscing.
According to a report from ABS-CBN News, the relocation has been confirmed. The lot where the house stands has been sold already even before the production of the two recent "Celebrity Collab" seasons started. ABS-CBN was only able to extend its lease to make way for the said editions, which were mounted in partnership with GMA Network.
Among those who truly carry the legacy of Bahay Ni Kuya are the Big Winners, who entered the house as dreamers and walked out with paths forever changed. Since the very first "PBB" season way back in 2005, over 400 housemates from all walks of life have called it 'home' at one point, but the Big Winners' journeys will always hit different.
So before we fully say goodbye to this version of Bahay Ni Kuya, let’s throw it back to all the Big Winners through the years—the ones who really proved just how life-changing that house could be.
PBB Season 1: Nene Tamayo
Of course, we have to begin with the OG—Nene Tamayo, a.k.a. the 'astig' Kumander Nene. With her background as an ROTC Corps Commander, she brought discipline and strong leadership into the house.
Her strength showed not just in physical tasks but in situations that checked her principles. In one task, Kuya instructed the housemates to destroy and burn each other’s personal belongings, which didn’t sit right with Nene, who openly questioned the intent behind it. After 111 days inside the house, Nene was named the first-ever Big Winner. These days, she’s thriving outside showbiz as a business owner and a devoted mom.
PBB Celebrity Edition 1: Keanna Reeves
When Bahay Ni Kuya opened its doors to celebrities for the very first time, the controversial actress-comedienne Keanna Reeves bagged the Big Winner title, with her journey being one of the best redemption stories the house has ever witnessed.
Before PBB, Keanna was criticized, misjudged, and written off because of controversies that surrounded her early showbiz career. But the Keanna we saw inside the house was warm, genuine, and so much more than what society had unfairly labeled her to be.
Being one of the older housemates in their batch, she became the mom figure of the group. She listened without judgment and made people feel seen, thus becoming a trusted confidante to her fellow housemates, most notably Rustom Padilla (now BB Gandanghari). Keanna was right there beside him, offering nothing but genuine respect and unwavering support when he came out as gay.
PBB Teen Edition 1: Kim Chiu
Bahay Ni Kuya also became a home for Kabataang Pinoy when “PBB Teen Edition” launched, and the very first teen Big Winner was none other than a simple Cebuana girl who would go on to become one of the biggest stars the show has ever produced—Kim Chiu.
Before she became the "Chinita Princess" we all know today, Kim was just this authentic, bubbly girl with a smile that could light up the entire house. Viewers couldn't help but fall for her sweet charm, and her housemates sure felt the same way as she wasn't nominated for eviction even once, which is such a flex and proof of just how lovable she really was inside that house.
Post-PBB, Kim's career skyrocketed to insane levels. She and co-housemate Gerald Anderson dominated the industry as a loveteam. She starred in countless teleseryes and films, proved her versatility as an actress, host (she's a mainstay on "It's Showtime"), and performer (she's dubbed as the "ASAP" Queen of the Dance Floor). Currently, she also stars the much-talked-about series on primetime, "The Alibi," where she plays the sexy, fierce, and determined Stella.
PBB Season 2: Bea Saw
Kuya’s house has also held some of the most unforgettable one-liners we still quote up to this day—and if you know, you know—lines that didn’t just echo inside those walls but stuck with our heads, like that call-out from Bea Saw:“Alam mo ‘yang respeto, hindi mo ‘yan ini-impose, ini-earn ‘yan! Act your age!"
Bea stood her ground unapologetically, even if it meant clashing head-on with her fellow housemates. But beyond those fiery moments, she was the housemate who listens, understands, and keeps the peace when things get a little too intense, which is exactly why she earned the nickname “Mommy Bea.”
PBB Celebrity Edition 2: Ruben Gonzaga
The "PBB" house has witnessed so many unforgettable moments through the years, but did you know that it once hosted an actual wedding reception? It was for Ruben Gonzaga, who eventually emerged as the Big Winner in the second “Celebrity Edition.”
Kuya planned the wedding for Ruben and his longtime partner, Jeselle. The housemates (blindfolded, of course!) were brought to Mt. Carmel Parish Church in Quezon City for the ceremony. After the church wedding, the reception was held right inside Bahay Ni Kuya, making Ruben’s story one of the most touching and unique in “PBB” history.
Before entering the house, Ruben might not have been a familiar face to most viewers, but he was actually already a big deal in his home province, Davao, as a member of ABS-CBN Davao's comedy group "Joke Squad" and a stand-up comedian who worked the comedy bar circuit. His vibrant, funny personality won over his housemates and viewers alike, and after 84 days inside, he snagged the Big Winner title—becoming the first-ever male champion after Nene Tamayo, Keanna Reeves, Kim Chiu, and Bea Saw.
PBB Teen Edition Plus: Ejay Falcon
Before he was charming us with his chiseled features and intense gaze in teleseryes, Ejay Falcon first caught our attention as the "Promdi Hottie ng Mindoro" in “PBB Teen Edition Plus”—though we knew right then and there that this guy was destined for big things.
Kuya's house witnessed Ejay's journey in searching for his estranged biological French father, with the unwavering support of his adoptive fisherman dad. He may not have found what he was looking for, but what he did find was the path he was truly meant to take, and that was becoming an actor.
Post-PBB, Ejay built a solid career in showbiz, often being cast as the leading man in action-packed and dramatic roles, thanks to his hero-worthy charisma, like he was basically made for it. His most recent projects include playing young Rigor in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo" and a guest in "Nag-Aapoy na Damdamin." He was also revealed to be the latest addition to the cast of “Blood vs Duty,” which will premiere this April 6 on Primetime TV.
Ejay hasn't stopped winning outside of showbiz either. He's the incumbent Vice Governor of Oriental Mindoro, a Philippine Air Force Reservist, and happily married to his longtime partner Jana Roxas. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a major in Local Government Administration from the University of Makati in 2024.
PBB Double Up: Melai Cantiveros
Bahay Ni Kuya has also been a witness to love stories that actually ended in forever, and there's no better example than the "Inday Kengkay ng General Santos City" herself, Melai Cantiveros, the Big Winner of “PBB Double Up,” who captured the heart of her housemate Jason Francisco.
Their love story that blossomed inside the house turned into a real-life happily ever after when they tied the knot in December 2013, and now they're proud parents to their adorable and talented daughters, Amelia Lucille and Stella Rosalind.
There's no doubt that Melai is one of the most iconic housemates to ever grace the PBB house. Her upbeat personality, hilarious expressions, and natural comedic timing made her impossible not to root for, and let's not forget—she's literally the reason why we all started saying "char!" and "kuan!" (her favorite expressions!) in our daily conversations, so yeah, we kind of owe her for that.
Melai's career just kept flourishing. She's still part of the "PBB" hosting squad and she's the sole host of the Bisaya online talk show "Kuan On One."
PBB Teen Clash of 2010: James Reid
Bahay Ni Kuya was the first to witness the irresistible Aussie charm of James Reid, the Big Winner of “PBB Teen Clash of 2010.”
James' journey to the PBB house was already a story in itself—after his family lost their home in Australia due to financial troubles, he and his dad moved to the Philippines to start fresh. As a housemate, he won over viewers with his humility and musical talent, plus he served a lot of kilig moments as he got linked to not one, not two, but three of his housemates—Tricia Santos, Anne Li, and Devon Seron.
But here's something a lot of people don't know—James almost didn't make it to the Big Night because he was rushed to the hospital after experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing, and it turned out he had a hole in one of his lungs that made strenuous activities super risky. But as fate would have it, he recovered, became a Big Winner and built an impressive showbiz career with well-loved films and top-rating series, most notably "On the Wings of Love" and "Till I Met You" alongside his former on-and-off-screen sweetheart Nadine Lustre.
And if you've been missing him on the teleserye scene, get excited because he's set to make his much-anticipated comeback with a project titled “Someone, Someday” alongside Kathryn Bernardo in the works.
PBB Unlimited: Slater Young
The "Hotshot Engineer ng Cebu" Slater Young proved that Bahay Ni Kuya doesn't just produce showbiz stars—it also shapes natural-born leaders. Before PBB Unlimited, Slater was already living a comfortable life as an engineer helping manage his family's construction business, but he still decided to join the competition to discover more about himself. After 155 days, he became the first male regular housemate to snag the Big Winner crown.
Inside the house, Slater often took the lead during weekly tasks, and his journey wasn't without its memorable moments—from his close friendship with openly lesbian housemate Divine Maitland-Smith (which sparked romance rumors they both denied!) to a heated altercation with house player Paco Evangelista.
After winning, he dabbled in a few ABS-CBN dramas, hosting, and modeling, but eventually decided to return to Cebu and focus on his engineering career. He's happily married to lifestyle blogger Kryz Uy, and together they're raising three adorable sons.
PBB Teen Edition 4: Myrtle Sarrosa
Bahay Ni Kuya has seen housemates enter in all sorts of ways, but none quite as memorable as Myrtle Sarrosa, the "Cosplay Cutie of Iloilo" who literally walked into the “PBB Teen Edition 4” house in full cosplay—that entrance alone told us she was going to be iconic.
With her striking anime-inspired costumes, hypnotizing doll eyes, and bright smile, Myrtle instantly captured our attention and hearts, but her journey inside wasn't all fun and games. She experienced her first heartbreak right inside the house when she developed feelings for housemate Yves Flores, only to find out he had a girlfriend outside.
But despite the emotional rollercoaster, Myrtle emerged as a strong contender, ultimately winning the Big Winner title. Post-PBB, she pursued careers in music, hosting, and acting, all while finishing her studies—she graduated Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines with a degree in BA Broadcasting Communication in 2017. These days, she's still acting and never stopped doing what she loves most—cosplay.
PBB All In: Daniel Matsunaga
For Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga, "PBB" was where he found a home. Despite not having a drop of Filipino blood in him, Daniel's Big Winner finish in “PBB All In” proved that it's not about where you come from but how much love you have in your heart—and his love for the Philippines was undeniable.
Inside the house, he won everyone over not just with his good looks (though let's be real, that definitely helped!) but with his pleasant personality, hardworking attitude, and dependability in every weekly task. He also became the unofficial "kuya" of the group, always ready to give sensible advice to the younger housemates, which made us adore him even more.
Following his "PBB" stint, he starred in ABS-CBN series like “Be My Lady” alongside former on-and-off-screen partner Erich Gonzales, “A Love to Last,” and “Halik.” These days, his Instagram page gives us glimpses of his travels, his romantic relationship, and some showbiz gigs here and there.
PBB 737 (Teens): Jimboy Martin
Who says introverts can't shine in Kuya's house? The "Barrio Rapper ng Nueva Vizcaya" Jimboy Martin joined "PBB 737" as a quiet kid from the province, but when he started spitting bars, everyone was 'shookt.'
Aside from his musical talent, his genuine heart and old soul won people over. He was always there for his housemates, which was so refreshing to see from a teen contestant. His “PBB” journey was also kind of legendary because he managed to avoid nominations for most of the season. After his stint, he ventured into acting and became part of the Hashtags on “It's Showtime.”
PBB 737 (Adults): Miho Nishida
Bahay Ni Kuya is also a place where language barriers didn't matter as long as you had heart—take it from Miho Nishida, the Big Winner of “PBB 737”'s adult batch.
Having grown up in Japan since she was two years old, Miho struggled with Tagalog and spoke only a little English, which made communicating with her housemates a real challenge. But instead of holding her back, this actually made her even more endearing because her cute attempts at speaking Filipino and her hilarious antics had everyone—housemates and viewers alike—absolutely charmed.
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Miho also showed a resilient and hardworking side as a single mom. Of course, we can't talk about Miho without mentioning her kilig-worthy romance with housemate Tommy Esguerra, which had fans rooting for them all the way to the Big Night (though they eventually split in 2017).
After “PBB,” Miho dove into showbiz with TV guestings, acting projects, and even became part of the “It's Showtime” girl group GirlTrends. Her last project was the 2018 primetime series “Since I Found You.” Now she's back in Japan living a quieter life with her teenage daughter Aimi.
PBB Lucky Season 7: Maymay Entrata
Bahay Ni Kuya is the place where fangirl dreams actually come true. Case in point: "PBB Lucky Season 7" Big Winner Maymay Entrata meeting her celebrity crush Enrique Gil for a dream "date" inside the PBB house!
The "Wacky-Go-Lucky ng Cagayan de Oro" had viewers hooked from the moment she stepped into the house with her sunny disposition and hilariously relatable fangirl energy that made us feel like she was one of us. But what made her journey even more inspiring was the fact that she didn't give up after failing the “PBB” auditions twice.
Inside the house, she opened up about her childhood without a father and her determination to chase her dreams. Her authenticity resonated with many viewers who saw themselves in her story. In the outside world, Maymay has done it all—teleseryes, films, music, fashion—and she just keeps leveling up with every project, with “Roja" alongside Donny Pangilinan and Kyle Echarri being the most recent.
PBB Otso: Yamyam Gucong
Carrying the moniker "Iskulit Bai ng Bohol," Yamyam Gucong's journey to becoming the Big Winner of “PBB Otso” was no easy feat—he survived the program’s almost nine-month run and four batches of housemates, first winning his batch before ultimately claiming the top prize.
His cheerful disposition and ability to bring laughter into any situation made him a consistent fan favorite, and his determination to stay true to himself no matter what proved that authenticity really does win in the end. Plus, his closeness with Japanese housemate Fumiya Sankai showed us that in Bahay Ni Kuya, unexpected friendships are formed.
Yamyam had the opportunity to enter the world of acting after his "PBB" stint. He is now a proud father of two. These days, he's based in Cebu and recently shared on "Kuan On One" that he dreams of highlighting Visayan talents and films through his own production house.
PBB Connect: Liofer Pinatacan
Even a global pandemic couldn't stop Bahay Ni Kuya from opening its doors. In a season unlike any other, the "Dong Diskarte ng Zamboanga del Sur" Liofer Pinatacan made history as the first-ever Big Winner crowned during a virtual Big Night.
Here's a fun fact: Liofer was actually just a backup housemate in case any of the original picks backed out or didn't pass the strict pandemic restrictions and health tests. Talk about a stroke of luck turning into destiny! Once inside, the loving son from a family of nine siblings became the heart of the house, cooking meals for everyone and taking care of his housemates like a true 'kuya' even though he wasn't the eldest. His kindness, resourcefulness, and genuine relationships with everyone made him an easy favorite among viewers.
We haven't seen much of him on TV after “PBB,” but based on his social media posts, he's been living his best life traveling to beautiful spots around the country.
PBB Kumunity 10: Anji Salvacion
Anji Salvacion’s story is literally the definition of “never give up until it’s yours.” She auditioned for “Pinoy Big Brother” back in Grade 9, didn't make it, and then tried again to win the "Kumunity 10" season.
While her first few weeks were marked by self-doubt, she pushed hard and persevered. Anji's growth was shown as she took on the responsibility of being Head of Household, and eventually securing her spot in the Celebrity Top 2 before going on to win the whole season in a landslide.
After "PBB," Anji did more of everything she loves, from releasing her own music to performing on “ASAP” and stepping into acting, eventually landing her first lead role in the digital series "The Four Bad Boys and Me."
PBB Gen 11: Fyang Smith
If you watched her from day one, then you know Fyang Smith’s journey inside Bahay Ni Kuya was anything but chill. In fact, she was one of those housemates who really had to grow in front of everyone, starting off as outspoken, a little stubborn, and even getting called out for being disrespectful at times, which led to multiple nominations early on. But instead of letting that define her, she learned to be more self-aware.
That transformation made her win feel earned. While she entered the house already backed by millions of followers who loved her confidence, what really made people stay was seeing the layers behind that persona, from her candid stories about growing up with financial struggles to the way she became more considerate of others' feelings.
Back in the outside world, she elevated the momentum into bigger opportunities with regular performances on “ASAP,” out-of-town and international shows, and eventually leading her own series "Ghosting" (with JM Ibarra), which became such a hit that it scored a second season.
PBB Celebrity Collab 1: Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca
In 2025, for the first time ever, the "PBB" house didn’t just become home to Kapamilya stars, but to Kapuso artists as well, as ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and GMA’s Sparkle joined forces for the historic "Celebrity Collab Edition."
It was also the first time the Big Winner title was awarded to a duo. It made perfect sense that Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca aka BreKa would take that win because of their heart and selflessness—they were even willing to give up their spots for their friends.
Individually, their arcs were just as compelling. Brent, who struggled to open up out of fear of making mistakes or being rejected, learned to let his guard down and take up space; while Mika, who entered the house as the “Controversial Ca-Babe-Len," delivered one of the season’s most satisfying redemption arcs, going from being criticized because of past controversies to becoming genuinely loved after showing her sincerity.
Brent and Mika, along with their fellow “PBB Collab” housemates, currently star in "The Secrets of Hotel 88."
PBB Celebrity Collab 2: Lella Ford and Caprice Cayetano
The iconic house also opened its doors for Kabataang Pinoy celebrity housemates in "PBB Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0." While the format saw a few changes from the previous ‘collab’ season—most notably moving away from the duo setup in the finale—it still gave us two Big Winners, with Lella Ford emerging as the Kapamilya Big Winner and Caprice Cayetano as the Kapuso Big Winner.
Lella joined the competition badly wanting to carve her own path and show who she is beyond her family background. True enough, she lived up to her “Blooming Bunso” moniker, as she transformed from the ‘over thinker’ and ‘top violator’ housemate into a dependable, resilient Lella who knew when to fight for her place. The soft-spoken Caprice, on the other hand, held onto her mantra of 'paglago' as she stepped out of her shell and proved that demure and determined can co-exist.
Even outside the house, the connection hasn’t faded, as Lella, Caprice, and the rest of their Ultimate 8 recently reunited for a fan meet presented by digital talk show "Kapamilya Chat."
The "Big Brother" house has seen it all—dreams taking off, friendships forming, and 'pagpapakatotoo' that allows room for growth. The address may change but the impact remains the same. Honestly, wherever Kuya ends up next, you just know he’ll still welcome us into his home—until a new Big Winner walks out of it once again.