Lance Joseph Martinez

Cast of ‘The Secrets of Hotel 88’ Calls the Series a ‘Dream Come True’

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For decades, Pinoy Big Brother has remained one of the most influential reality shows in the Philippines. Whether it featured regular adults, teens, or celebrities, the show consistently captured the nation’s attention and produced unforgettable pop culture moments.However, PBB reached an entirely new level of popularity with its first-ever Celebrity Collab Edition, one that reshaped the landscape of Philippine reality television.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ow_QtFbxjtg?si=XxjWp-50TiSYH3Po" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </div><div> </div>Last year, Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition emerged as one of the country’s biggest pop culture highlights. The season marked a historic milestone as it became the first reality show to unite Kapamilya and Kapuso stars under one roof.This unprecedented collaboration between ABS-CBN and GMA generated massive buzz, propelling PBB into a different tier of fame and solidifying its legacy as a cultural phenomenon.But for this particular batch of housemates, their journey didn’t end after the Big Night. What many initially thought would be a one-time collaboration turned out to be just the beginning.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709047102starcreativestv_1769421687_3818508333884778974_1175587164.webp" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Official poster of &#x27;The Secrets of Hotel 88&#x27; | Photo from @starcreativestv</div><div> </div>Following their PBB stint, the batch continued to thrive together in the spotlight. From brand endorsements and television guestings to major live events, the former housemates remained highly visible. Their chemistry even translated to the concert stage with &quot;The Big ColLove,&quot; while several members went on to star in Metro Manila Film Festival entries. One project after another, the group proved they were more than just a reality show cast.Their momentum reached another milestone in September 2025, when it was announced that the batch would once again collaborate under a joint ABS-CBN and GMA project. This time, however, the partnership would take the form of a full-fledged teleserye, officially igniting excitement for their upcoming series, The Secrets of Hotel 88.An action-romance drama layered with mystery and family conflict, The Secrets of Hotel 88 boasts an ensemble cast led by <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/7/30/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-mika-salamanca-on-the-power-of-redemption-1755">Mika Salamanca </a>as Luna Almazan, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/7/30/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-brent-manalo-on-vulnerability-as-a-strength-1817">Brent Manalo </a>as Gio Cabrera, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/7/31/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-how-pbb-transformed-will-ashley-0355">Will Ashley</a> as Kiko Endaya, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/7/31/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-the-most-challenging-pbb-experience-for-ralph-de-leon-0352">Ralph de Leon</a> as Martin Madrigal, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/1/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-esnyr-earns-his-rightful-place-in-the-industry-1758">Esnyr</a> as Raphie Salcedo, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/1/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-az-martinez-on-being-truly-seen-thanks-to-pbb-2005">AZ Martinez </a>as Sari Garcia, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/1/metro-exclusive-river-joseph-sets-the-standard-as-the-pbb-green-flag-2046">River Joseph</a> as Leon Almazan, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/26/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-dustin-yu-on-how-pbb-sharpened-his-flair-for-leadership-1438">Dustin Yu</a> as Edward Arellano, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/26/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-how-bianca-de-vera-found-herself-inside-the-pbb-house-1449">Bianca de Vera </a>as Jade Almazan, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/26/metro-exclusive-from-diva-to-mowm-how-klarisse-de-guzman-mothered-in-pbb-celebrity-collab-1836">Klarisse de Guzman </a>as Monette Salcedo, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/27/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-xyriel-manabat-on-authenticity-sense-of-responsibility-1130">Xyriel Manabat</a> as Chesca Endaya, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/27/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-josh-ford-on-misconceptions-about-him-pbb-experiences-1155">Josh Ford </a>as Justin Almazan, and <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/27/metro-x-pinoy-big-brother-celebrity-collab-kira-balinger-on-the-lessons-she-learned-from-pbb-1221">Kira Balinger</a> as Trixie Madrigal.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709116626iwantofficial_1770374913_3826504416829249234_1511059800.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo from @iwantofficial</div><div> </div>The series centers on the reunion of brothers Martin, Francis, and Gio following the death of their estranged father. United once more by circumstance, they inherit the infamous Hotel 88—a property rumored to be haunted and riddled with unresolved mysteries and long-buried secrets. Complicating matters further is the Almazan family—siblings Jade, Luna, and Leon—who are determined to fight for their own stake in the hotel.For the former housemates, working together on The Secrets of Hotel 88 feels surreal. Many of them shared that starring in a teleserye as a complete group was once just a dream, something they casually talked about while still inside Kuya’s house.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709367409iwantofficial_1770374913_3826504426878817966_1511059800.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca | Photo from @iwantofficial</div><div> </div>“Napag-uusapan kasi namin sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya about having a teleserye. For sure, all of us are gonna have projects daw. But we never expected that we’re gonna be in one project altogether. So of course, sobrang excited kami,” AZ  shared in an exclusive interview with Metro.Style.Kira echoed the sentiment, recalling her reaction when she first learned about the project. “My first reaction, s&#x27;yempre sobrang natuwa ako. All of us, we wanted to work together PBB pa lang, and we didn’t expect na mangyayari talaga. So when the project first came to me, I was so, so happy.”“Noong na-pitch sa amin, talagang nagkita-kita kami lahat na parang, ‘Uy ito na &#x27;yun. Ito na &#x27;yung talagang dream natin inside Kuya’s house.’ Natuwa rin ako,” Dustin added.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709154946iwantofficial_1770374913_3826504422986515448_1511059800.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Brent Manalo, Will Ashley, and Ralph de Leon (The  Fernandez brothers) | Photo from @iwantofficial</div><div> </div>River described nothing but pure excitement upon hearing the news. “And nu&#x27;ng nalaman namin na magkakaroon nga ng collab project kami, we were super excited, nagkwentuhan na kami. Kahit hindi pa formally na-pitch sa amin, from that point on, we were just so excited. And siyempre, we were all excited to work together this time,” he said.Despite their growing popularity after the reality show, the cast emphasized that every opportunity that came their way was unexpected, especially the chance to headline a series together, something they once thought was nearly impossible.“Actually, sobrang nagulat po kami noong pitching kasi Star Creatives &#x27;yung gagawa. I’ve been a long-time fan of Star Creatives and another collaboration project between ABS and GMA. So, every time we get the chance to work together kahit small guesting lang,” Brent explained.Mika then shared, “We’re very excited talaga kasi, &#x27;yun nga, tulad ng sinabi nila, sa loob pala ng PBB House, pinag-uusapan na namin na &#x27;yung mga what-ifs ba na p&#x27;wede naming magawa in the future.&quot;<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709230186iwantofficial_1770374913_3826504426090308426_1511059800.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Josh Ford, Bianca de Vera, Mika Salamanca, and River Joseph (The Almazan siblings) | Photo from @iwantofficial</div><div> </div>As filming began, gratitude became a recurring feeling among the cast. Bianca expressed how meaningful the experience has been. “Sobrang rewarding lang for all of us because parang other than we get to spend time together, we get to share our craft with each other, share insights, we get to grow together, we get to do what we love together. Sobrang saya lang.”Josh echoed her sentiments, highlighting how unexpected their journey has been. “Super blessed to be part of this amazing group. Sa start, akala namin ‘yun na ‘yun, PBB lang… Kaya ang laki ng pasasalamat naming lahat. Of course, ako rin, ang laki ng pasasalamat ko sa GMA and ABS-CBN for giving us this and for trusting us, kasi gamble &#x27;to e.”Meanwhile, Esnyr reflected, saying, “I am really blessed talaga at honored. Akala ko [PBB] na &#x27;yung parang last days namin as housemates together, pero meron pang chance na follow-up, parang vacay ulit, na lock-in ulit.”For Xyriel, there was no hesitation at all when the project was offered. “Sobrang excited ako noon. Message agad ako na parang, super excited po, game po ako agad. Nu&#x27;ng pini-pitch pa lang, kasi para sa akin, hindi na pini-pitch &#x27;yun, yes na agad. Parang wala nang option for no,” she said.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709262707iwantofficial_1770374913_3826504432029412157_1511059800.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Esnyr, Kira Balinger, Josh Ford, and Xyriel Manabat | Photo from @iwantofficial</div><div> </div>Ralph also admitted that while The Secrets of Hotel 88 marks his first action-drama project, accepting the role was an easy decision. “Ako, first time ko rin gumawa ng ganitong klaseng project na nakahalo &#x27;yung action, &#x27;yung mystery, &#x27;yung family drama, &#x27;yung romance. So, it’s an all-in-one thing talaga. There’s no hesitation at all. Lalo na noong nalaman ko na sila rin po &#x27;yung kasama ko, masaya rin po ako, and I said yes right away.”And Will emphasized that while the show may be labeled as an action drama, it offers much more. “Sa series na ‘to, napakaraming genre talaga. Mararanasan mo ditong kiligin, matakot, sumaya, at matawa. Napakarami talaga ang pagdadaanan ng emosyon mo.”He concluded by reflecting on how meaningful the reunion is for the cast. “And, para makatrabaho ulit yung mga kasama ko sa loob ng bahay ni Kuya, nakakatuwa kasi, again, paulit-ulit ko sinasabi, paulit-ulit din namin &#x27;to sinabi sa loob ng bahay na sana, paglabas, magkaroon kami ng project. So, parang dream come true siya para sa aming lahat.”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709287808iwantofficial_1770374913_3826504432658612095_1511059800.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Ralph de Leon, AZ Martinez, and River Joseph | Photo from @iwantofficial </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770709319408iwantofficial_1770374913_3826504428279754996_1511059800.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, and Will Ashley | Photo from @iwantofficial</div><div> </div><div>Directed by Henry Quitain, The Secrets of Hotel 88 is set to premiere on March 2 on GMA Prime, with early access streaming available seven days in advance on iWant beginning February 23.</div><div> </div>Lead photo from @iwantofficial

The "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition" alums and now cast members of "The Secrets of Hotel 88" shared their initial thoughts when this dream project was pitched to them.

The "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition" alums and now cast members of "The Secrets of Hotel 88" shared their initial thoughts when this dream project was pitched to them.

How the Cast of ‘The Secrets of Hotel 88’ Found Out About This Dream Project

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How the Cast of ‘The Secrets of Hotel 88’ Found Out About This Dream Project

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published Feb 10, 2026 05:30 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 10, 2026 05:37 PM PHT

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Mika Salamanca

Brent Manalo

Will Ashley

Ralph de Leon

Esnyr

AZ Martinez

River

Dustin Yu

Bianca de Vera

Klarisse de Guzman

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