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Metro x Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition: Mika Salamanca

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From a viral controversy to trending videos of her Big Win and moments at the Pinoy Big Brother house, Mika Salamanca’s colorful and magical turn into a beloved housemate is a story of how being genuinely kindhearted can eventually eclipse a dark time.She first auditioned for PBB when she was just 15 years old, but failed to make it as a housemate back then. Her flair for creative work continued as she gained a following as a vlogger who usually does song covers and lifestyle videos. She also ventured into acting and signed up with GMA’s Sparkle Artist Center. Fast forward to 2025, she finally rekindled her PBB dreams not only by becoming a housemate but also victoriously emerging as half of the first-ever Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition Big Winner Duo with Brent Manalo.   Mika’s motivation to join PBB as an adult was more than just fulfilling a dream; she’s on a mission.                                                                                                “I would say na pangarap ko po talaga siya simula bata. Pero ngayon po, mas nag-make sense po siya para sa akin na ngayon po ako natanggap sa PBB kasi mas kailangan ko po siya ngayon. Dahil sobrang daming controversies na pinagdaanan, pangarap ko siya. Pero what&#x27;s more important for me before was to redeem myself,” Mika thoughtfully shared.Entering Kuya’s house was just the first step; the rest is a whole different story, which called for her to give up her version of independence and adjust to communal living.“Pinakamalaking adjustment ko po was kailangan ko pong mag-compromise sa sobrang daming tao. Kahit po may mga kapatid at mga pinsan akong kasama before, nasanay po kasi ako na independent ako at mag-isa dito sa Pilipinas. Hawak ko po &#x27;yung time ko sa trabaho at lahat ng schedules ko,” she began. “Living in that house, kailangan naming mag-obey kay Kuya at mag-compromise sa lahat ng mga nakakasama namin sa Bahay and mag-adjust.”One of her first trying moments in the house was when she earned a Red Flag for being seemingly inauthentic to fellow housemates. It was an experience that moved her to lower her walls and be more comfortable in showing her authenticity and genuine heart. Though she was hurt, she chose to let it go and understand the other housemates’ perspective.“Biggest challenge siguro na na-encounter ko sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya was makipag-connect. Kasi bubbly ako, yes, pero iba kasi kapag kailangan mo nang tumira sa isang Bahay na kasama ‘yung maraming tao e. Pinakamahirap siguro sa akin doon was humanap talaga ng core ko sa loob ng Bahay at kung sino talaga ‘yung totoo na makikihalubilo sa akin,” she admitted. <div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753771429987metro exclusive pbb celebrity collab edition mika salamanca embed 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Mika Salamanca, as photographed by Dix Perez | On Mika: Embroidered top by Fatima Beltran</div><div> </div>Thankfully, she eventually found her core in Brent and in the rest of PDG (Pamilya De Guzman), composed of Klarisse De Guzman, Esnyr, Will, and Shuvee. Though she found them, Mika says one of the most rewarding parts of the experience is bonding with the rest of the housemates.“Lahat ng mga taong nakasama ko doon sa loob ng Bahay, may special place sa heart ko. Kasi hawak ko hindi lang ‘yung mga challenges na hinarap namin sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya, pati ‘yung mga kwento nila about sa pamilya nila, struggles sa buhay, and sila mismo. Sila ‘yung pinaka-reward na nakuha ko sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya. Sobrang dami kong natutunan sa kanila,” she thoughtfully declared.On the subject of housemates, she finds her Ate Klang (Klarisse) to be the most organized, the best cook, and the housemate she has grown to look up to.“Para sa akin, sa loob ng Bahay, si Ate Klang &#x27;yung pinaka-nagpakatotoo. Sobrang wise niya as a person and sobrang sipag. Nasa kanya na lahat,” she spoke with reverence.Asked who she thinks was the most thoughtful, she quickly responded: “Brent.”Just as Mika finds Brent to be the most thoughtful one in the house, Brent also thought Mika was the same. The singer-actress recently gained attention online for sharing a touching letter she wrote on an index card under the blanket for Brent on a particularly challenging day (comments from the outside world were read to the housemates). The letter read:<div>“To my favorite human being (charing!). Lol. Writing this under my blanket cuz we are not allowed to write inside the house. Today was a rollercoaster day for us—Big 4 to big emotional comments real quick! If I’m going to be honest, I felt like dying when I saw the comments, but I want to be strong for you today (not just today but for the rest of our remaining time kase I feel like lagi kang malakas para sa duo naten.) Papabasa ko sa‘yo ‘to ‘pag malapit na tayo maging big winner :P To remind you na you don’t have to always fight alone, na there is someone out there na favorite ka 😊 Mean comments are hard to digest but once you get used to them, your tum tum will not gonna hurt that much anymore. I know kahit anong advice ko, hindi mo papakinggan kase you need to experience it your own pero I’m sure one day, it will all make sense sa ‘yo. Basta always remember sa lahat ng time, you can count on me and pwede tayo magbigayan. When your bucket is full, share some burden to me. I got you and you got me. Breka! Breka! Big Winner, Big Winner – Miks &lt;3 your only friend inside the house.”</div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753775001820mika salamanca quote artcard.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>The letter is a testament to Mika’s sweet and thoughtful nature that many housemates found comfort in. In terms of tasks inside the house, Mika noted that the most difficult one was the final Big Jump challenge she did with Brent just so they could earn a Big 4 spot. She said it was a kind of challenge that demanded endurance, critical thinking, and carefully building a tower of cups.“Emotionally [challenging din] kasi close friend ko ang nakalaban ko doon—si Bianca. Mahirap siya. It was exhausting, kasi parang ilang oras din kaming nag-stay doon,” she looked back.Amid the ups and downs of staying in Kuya’s house, Mika learned a valuable lesson on believing in herself.“Personally, puno ako talaga ng self-doubt. Laging nire-remind sa akin ni Kuya sa loob ng Bahay, even sa pinaka-simpleng task na ginagawa namin, na kailangan kong magtiwala sa sarili ko because there’s so much more sa sarili mo. Baka hindi mo lang nakikita pero nakikita ng ibang tao sa paligid mo,” the Big Winner shared. The encouragement helped Mika gain confidence in herself and embrace her worth.Mika also addressed past misconceptions, saying, “Before, ang misconception sa akin was I am a bad person. Feeling ko naman po na-address na po siya. Sana,” she said, visibly hopeful and humble.Now that she’s outside the house, Mika is focused on her music and acting career. “Hopefully, makapaglabas po ako ng album at mga songs and s&#x27;yempre, more acting [projects] po,” she shared, looking excited for the magic and the big things ahead of her.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753775130984metro exclusive pbb celebrity collab edition mika salamanca embed 3 a.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>Photography by Dix PerezMetro head: Christina LopezSittings editors: Geolette Esguerra, Kate Paras-Santiago, Randz Manucom, and Grace Libero-CruzCreative director: Chookie CruzStylist: Edlene Cabral, assisted by Bullet ReyesMakeup artist and hairstylist: Mariah Santos and Arvin SantosFashion associate: Carla BuyoEditorial assistants: Iya Baring and Krystel MatiasVideo producers: Giselle Interior and Tricia MatiasVideographer: Charisse Tinio&#x27;s NicePrint Photo teamArt director: Alfred AmadoShoot assistants: Danni Lagdameo, Mariana Xerez-Burgos, Sophia Ancheta, and Katrice CuasonSpecial thanks to Pinoy Big Brother, Marcus Vinuya, Patch Bungubung, Charina Fernandez, Pia Laurel, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center

Like Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy clicking her heels together three times, everything changed in Mika Salamanca’s life with the magic and power of redemption inside the "Pinoy Big Brother" house.

Like Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy clicking her heels together three times, everything changed in Mika Salamanca’s life with the magic and power of redemption inside the "Pinoy Big Brother" house.

Metro Exclusive: Mika Salamanca on the Magic and Power of Redemption

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Metro Exclusive: Mika Salamanca on the Magic and Power of Redemption

Grace Diez

Published Jul 30, 2025 05:55 PM PHT

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