Last night, social media had an online party as viewers watched the much anticipated latest season of Pinoy Big Brother, with celebrity housemates being revealed one by one.
The trending premiere also featured a lineup of hosts from both ABS-CBN and GMA Network—Enchong Dee, Kim Chiu, Gabbi Garcia, Mavy Legaspi, Bianca Gonzalez, Alexa Ilacad, and Melai Cantiveros.
You’ve probably also noticed one of the biggest changes in the show—the new version of its theme song, “Sikat ang Pinoy,” which now has a fresh, modern sound.
Composed by Jonathan Manalo and originally performed by Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga in 2006, “Sikat ang Pinoy” has become an anthem of Filipino pride, often heard at school events and national celebrations. This season introduces a fresh rendition by Kapamilya singer Darren Espanto and Kapuso artist Julie Anne San Jose.
The song’s upbeat tempo and inspiring lyrics have long resonated with Filipinos, accompanying moments of achievement in sports, entertainment, and global recognition. In a video message during the show’s media conference, Darren and Julie Anne shared their excitement about being part of the historic crossover.
“It’s surreal knowing our voices will be heard every time PBB airs,” Darren said.
“It’s a dream come true, especially for us artists who have been waiting for this kind of collaboration between GMA and ABS-CBN,” Julie Anne added.
“Audiences will hear something new. Our take is more contemporary, giving the song a fresh feel for a new generation who weren’t around when it was first released 19 years ago,” Darren explained.
Also, during the media conference, original host Bianca Gonzalez shared her thoughts on the show airing on GMA for the first time.
“There’s excitement, but also nervousness. It’s a different audience, and we don’t know how Kapuso loyalists will receive it. That’s why it helps to have Gabbi and Mavy on board—they are familiar faces to GMA viewers,” Bianca noted.
For Gabbi, hosting the show is a full-circle moment. As a longtime fan, she recalled growing up watching Pinoy Big Brother and even auditioning herself.
“I used to ask my parents if I could extend my bedtime just to watch the full episode,” she said. “I lined up at the Mall of Asia with thousands of others. I was number 3,900-something in a crowd of 5,000. I started at 9:00 a.m. and finished at 5:00 a.m. the next day.”
This season also marks a shift in casting. Unlike past celebrity editions that featured personalities from various industries, Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition exclusively features actors from Star Magic and Sparkle.
“In previous seasons, we had athletes and social media influencers. This time, it’s a pure celebrity edition,” Bianca said.
Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition airs weeknights at 10:00 p.m. and weekends at 6:15 p.m. on GMA Network. Viewers can also catch it online via live streams on Pinoy Big Brother’s YouTube page, Kapamilya Online Live, and iWantTFC.