Marco Masa, Carmelle Collado join 'Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0'

Another pair of housemates is joining the “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0!” 

According to Nelson Canlas' report on “24 Oras,” Friday, Marco Masa and Carmelle Collado are the latest housemates to join“Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0.”

They have the monikers "Ang Wonder Brother ng Antipolo” and "Ang Singing Kontesera ng Camsur," respectively. 

Marco, who is a Sparkle star, is part of “Akusada” and “Maka.” He also recently starred in the film “Outside.”

The 18-year-old actor began his career as a commercial model at the age of four and has since grown up in front of the camera, balancing his studies with his work in showbiz.

Meanwhile, Carmelle started her singing journey in amateur competitions before joining “The Voice Kids,” where she finished as first runner-up in 2019.

She later became the champion of It’s Showtime’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan” School Showdown. 

In Marco's interview with Nelson Canlas, he shared that he never thought he would be given the opportunity to join "PBB." 

“And guess what? Lagi ko po sinasabi sa parents ko na nung nagsa-start na ‘yung audition, parang wow, nabigyan pa rin pala ako ng chance na mag-'PBB.' And bakit 'PBB?' I mean, God's timing po. It's God's way, God's move. And inaalay ko lang po sa Kaniya.”

For him, "PBB" is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

“I would take each day inside as an opportunity to show who I am, to show my best self, to explore myself, to get to know myself better and of course, ‘yung mga housemates na makakasama ko inside. And I'm just really excited. I'm just really immersed sa idea of self-improvement. And ‘yun nga po, there's gonna be a detox for me. So, I'm just so curious about what's to come,” he said.

He also thinks that the experience will serve as both a detox and an avenue to explore a side of himself beyond the pressures of showbiz.

“Physically, I get to rest siguro at some point. Although may mga challenging tasks si Kuya. But kasi po, iba po ‘yung since bata ka pa lang, since like three, four years old po ako, nag-start po ako sa showbiz and wala po ‘yung tigil," he shared. 

"So, basically, I grew up in the public eye. I grew up with expectations from people. I grew up with pressure. I grew up being challenged every time. And even ‘yung mga responsibilities ko sa school and all that. At some point, ang nagiging overwhelming po siya.”

He also dedicated his "PBB" stint to his family, saying he hopes to repay their unwavering support since he was a child.

“Mommy, Daddy, Kuya. I know, napapanood niyo lang ako ngayon. Hindi niyo ako katabi physically. But my heart, my mind, my soul is always praying para sa ikabutin niyo po. And ginagawa ko po ito lahat para sa pinakamadaling panahon, masukulian ko po lahat ng support na binigay niyo sa akin ever since I was a kid,” Marco said.

Meanwhile, for Carmelle, entering the "PBB" house feels like an entirely different kind of challenge.

“‘Yung mga competitions po na sinalihan ko, mga singing competitions, ‘yun po talaga ‘yung mga usual na competition but ito pong 'PBB,' ibang-iba po talaga siya sa mga competitions. Talagang mate-test po kung sino ka man po. Mas makikilala ka pa po hindi lang bilang artist, kundi bilang isang tao po. Because of course sa loob ng bahay ni Kuya mararamdaman mo ‘yung mga different emotions. And aside from that, may mga makikilala kang iba-ibang tao po talaga,” she said.

Carmelle admitted she initially had doubts about joining because she values her privacy. 

"Siyempre sa work po namin, mapapakita iyong itsura ko, pero this time po, talagang 24/7 po talagang makikita ako, so very challenging. So I think this is another chapter po sa career na meron po ako. And I'm really hoping po na sana ‘yung mga makakasama ko po sa loob, talagang magba-bond kami, magbi-build kami ng good and positive relationships sa loob po ng bahay ni Kuya,” she said.

As her lucky charm, she’s bringing a bracelet and holy water gifted by a priest inside Bahay ni Kuya.

“Binigay po ito nung birthday ko po. And then, may mga matagal na po talagang akong ginagamit. Actually may dala din po akong holy water galing sa pari. Dapat po pala dinala ko para meron po akong proweba. ‘Yan po talaga yung feeling kong baon-baon ko po talaga na, alam mo ‘yun, na ako lang ang meron. Kasi kahit po kagaya po kayo, parang nagulat din po kayo na meron po akong dala-dalang holy water po,” she said.

Marco and Carmelle will join Sofia Pablo, Joaquin Arce, Princess Aliyah, Miguel Vergara, Heath Jornales, and Krystal Mejes in the list of housemates who have been revealed so far.

“Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0" will start airing on Saturday, October 25. The second season will feature a group of Gen Z celebrities from Sparkle and Star Magic. 

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News