Big Day Out

The 21-year-old Zeke Dimaguila stayed inside the PBB house for only several weeks, but he certainly left a lasting impression among the housemates. And now that he has been evicted, it only means that it’s now his turn to leave a lasting impression among a much larger group – with the Philippine audience.

“I try to think in Tagalog first, then speak it.” Although he’s born here to pure Filipino parents, Zeke admits that growing up in Australia somewhat has distanced himself from our culture; in fact, he says that Mickey speaks better Tagalog than him. While vacationing in Calamba, where his parents lived, he decided to audition for PBB, a move he definitely doesn’t regret. “I joined to experience a different world… and I definitely got my wish.”

And while he shares that he spends more time playing the online game World of Warcraft, Zeke showed that he’s capable of stirring up controversy as well, especially his much-celebrated relationship with Dionne, the latter of which he describes as “overly affectionate towards me.”

Call it culture shock, but with his nomination and eventual eviction, Zeke now has a chance to show the world who he really is – and sees a career in showbiz as a possibility: “Showbiz is a byproduct of being inside the PBB house,” he notes. He wants to be a VJ first and foremost, and when asked about a career in singing, he replies: “If it’s pleasurable to listen to…”

But as of now, Zeke aims to use the time and the fame he has to adapt. “I learned the hard way on Philippine culture,” he claims. “I have to find the balance between being frank and being sensitive… Basta it will take time.” And before dealing with an audience, he has to deal with a much more important thing: “I aim to appreciate more of my original culture.”