The Great Pinoy Big Brother Swap Begins!

Two different countries. Two different cultures. Two housemates exchanged ‘lives’ as they venture into the much-awaited historical happening on the Philippine television! The housemates’ 55th day inside the house explodes with a groundbreaking event as the first Big Brother Swap between the Philippines and Slovenia begins!

At Big Brother’s Eviction Hall, no less than an ati-atihan dance performance signaled the opening of the first night of the Slovenian housemate Tina Semolic here in our country. But inside the house, Nel was called to the confession room to be told about a very special guest that they will be welcoming. They were given instructions to treat Tina well and to show her how respectable Filipinos are.

Back to back with this thrilling occasion is the birthday celebration of Robert, made special with the children’s party theme complete with super fun kiddie games and costumes, which they had earlier this afternoon. But for tonight, they are looking their gorgeous best in their striking red outfits!

Wearing her country’s national costume, Tina meets for the first time her Filipino housemates for one whole week! She introduced herself as a housemate from Big Brother Slovenia. Bringing with her a very special present for Robert, she gave him a box of personalized Slovenian baked heart-shaped chocolate cookies!

She definitely came as a surprise to the housemates as they ask her questions like “Are you touring Big Brother from around the world?” “Do you have any hobbies?” “Do you eat rice..bread..oatmeals?” “How do you find the girls?” At this very moment, the housemates are comfortably getting to know their new housemate.

Perfect! This is said to be the Slovenian Beauty’s favorite expression. This is also the first exclamation of Nel when he first saw her. Having this in common with him, will Tina find a close friend in PBB’s self-confessed Mr. Perfect? More importantly, how will she easily mix in given her different beliefs and Western background?

Meanwhile, Bruce is about to enter the Slovenian Big Brother House few hours from now. How will he cope with his foreign housemates?

Don’t miss the PBB Harcourt Hottie's first night inside Big Brother Slovenia and Tina's second night here in the Philippines at Pinoy Big Big Brother Season 2 Special Sunday edition on Primetime Bida!

http://bb2.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/547/Article/4679/Default.aspx

PBB EXPRESS..

ROBERT TO DONATE BLOOD!

Top of the world

After several minutes of preparation, the great PBB Viking vs Amazon war is about to begin! They first gathered near the pool area, where they showcased their own battle rituals. Mickey and Nel both wore wigs for Amazon authenticity (when honestly they looked more like drag queens), and shouted their best shrieks. The Vikings, on the other hand, delivered a few grunts and growls of their own, and even shook their shoulders to the beat!

They generously taunted as well. The Vikings called the ‘Assuming Amazons’ weak beyond belief, and Robert even picked at Nel’s curly quaff, saying: “Hoy Tina Turner, ang pangit mo!” The others also jeered at Mickey, and as Wendy pointed out his hairy armpits, she shouted: “Hoy yung Amazon nay un o, all natural… di nag-shave!”

So when Big Brother gave the signal, the Amazons attacked first. Mickey and Nel launched a full-frontal attack, sacrificing themselves as the others flanked the opposing base. It took three Vikings to bring down the burly warrior woman Mickey, while Nel quickly retreated in fear when Robert scalped off the curly wig!

So the Vikings were confident to have captured the two large Amazon warriors, and soon launched a counterattack. Their enemies defended well, and there was even a tense moment as Robert got hit by Bea on the shoulder with a toy sword, prompting Big Brother to have them drop these and remove their helmets as well. But with all the excitement they forgot Mickey, who wrestled free off his bindings and took the flag back to their base!

So the Amazons proudly held the captive Viking flag up high as Big Brother declared them winners of the battle. This win was deserving for the team, who sacrificed their bodies (and in Nel and Mickey’s case, their dignity) to wrench this incredible win!

But the celebrations don’t end just yet, it turns out; the housemates win their weekly task! The second part of their activity had the housemates working together to retrieve bags of gold coins hanging on the rafters of the activity area. Wendy and Gee-Ann sat on a nearby net, which the others moved in order for them to reach them. The result: a whooping P9,350 weekly allowance!

http://bb2.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/547/Article/4654/Default.aspx

Prepare for Battle!

Many struggles and internal battles have been faced by the housemates during their stay. And with this in mind, the final installment of their weekly task featured not only a battle, but a full-fledged epic war!

After their dance marathon, Dionne was called into the confession room. Everyone expected a weekly task when she came out; but no one expected it to be this big! Entitled ‘Amazons versus Vikings’, the housemates were tasked to re-enact a war between these two warrior civilizations. The premise would be similar to the popular war game ‘Capture the Flag’ where their primary goal was to safely steal the opposing team’s flag and bring it back to base. Those who would get caught will be placed in a cage (Viking territory) or tied spread-eagle (Amazon territory), but can be saved with a full-on frontal attack!

They were also provided costumes for the task, but the housemates, who thought that the team would be based on gender, were dead wrong. They instead chose a paper at random from a bowl Dionne provided, and had to don the proud armor (or brassieres) of their proud race! And the teams were as follows. Mickey, Nel, Saicy, Bea and Dionne round up the Amazon side, while the Vikings are comprised of Bodie, Robert, Maricris, Wendy and Gee-Ann.

They also had to make their own war cry, and Nel provided theirs with a loud, high-pitched shriek that would make any Viking rattle in fear! Big Brother finally explained that this would earn them 60 gold coins, but the task today would only be the first part; the activity that will determine if they acquire the coins will be announced later.

So the housemates, after procuring their costumes from the storage room, are currently putting them on for the task. Will this be a battle for the ages, a clash of two warring cultures, or a rowdy parade of cross-dressing housemates? The battle lines are drawn!

http://bb2.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/547/Article/4649/Default.aspx

Bruce Feels Good in Slovenia

Now that Bruce Quebral, Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate, knows where he's going to, all he feels is being proud to represent Philippines in Big Brother Slovenia.

Prior to his flight, PBB Business Unit Head Laurenti Dyogi already informed Bruce of his route to Europe, and the hunk housemate was shocked, felt relieved and eventually was amazed to hear about the great opportunity being given to him.

On PBB Primetime airing Thursday, host Toni Gonzaga had a chance to talk to Bruce via phone patch straight from Europe. Here's what they have talked about (translated from Filipino to English):

Host: Hello Bruce!

Bruce: Hi Toni, How are you?

Host: I'm ok. Where are you now Bruce?

Bruce: I'm now in Vienna. Anytime soon, I'd be going already to Slovenia.

Host: So how do you feel now?

Bruce: Somehow excited, mixed with nervousness. But I feel proud to represent Philippines in

Slovenia.Host: That's good. So, are you all ready to go to Big Brother Slovenia?

Bruce: Very much ready. I'm preparing now the things that I need to present to Slovenia.

Host: Bruce, you will meet female housemates in Big Brother Slovenia. How would be Wendy?

Bruce: (laughs) There would be no problem. What we were before will still be the same when I come back.

Host: Thank you Bruce, and goodluck.

Bruce: Thank you Toni.

Catch Bruce in Slovenia!

The much-awaited Big Brother Swap will take place this Saturday. What will happen to Bruce while he is in Slovenia? Does this mean that we won’t be able to see our Hardcourt Hottie for an entire week?

Well, here’s a big bonus for the big swap!

If you are currently subscribed to Pinoy Big Brother Season 2, here are more reasons why you should tune in. From April 21-28, you will have access to not only two, but four live camera feeds -- two from the Pinoy Big Brother house, and another two from Big Brother Slovenia for an entire week! More access to Bruce, the Slovenian housemate Tina, who will be replacing Bruce for a week, and the two Big Brother Houses! You definitely won’t miss a single thing about Bruce, even if he’s continents away.

If you are not yet a subscriber, this is the best time to get hooked to PBB Season 2. With four live camera feeds to keep you entertained, you’ll surely get your money’s worth.

Witness every single moment, from the first time Bruce steps into the Slovenian Big Brother

House, as well as Tina’s first meeting of the PBB housemates. Satisfy your curiosity on how these two housemates will adjust to people with cultures different from their own for a whole week.

So don't miss the controversial swapping this coming Saturday. Follow our very own Bruce with the two new camera feeds from Slovenia and catch the arrival of Tina with our live streams direct from the Pinoy Big Brother house!

One week, two housemates, four live feeds. A treat this big only happens on ABS-CBNnow!.

*The Slovenian feed may contain mature scenes. Viewer discretion is advised.
http://bb2.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/547/Article/4639/Default.aspx

Where is Bruce?

Surprises never cease at Big Brother's house! Saicy and Bodie were singing: “Kay tagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin…” Still kept in the dark about Bruce’s week-long stint at Slovenia, little did the housemates know that the answers to their curiosity about this latest happening inside the house (and across the globe!)were unfolded to them already.

Clever as ever, Big Brother assigned tasks, which served as preparations and clues to the imminent Big Brother Swap: The Titillating Tinikling, artistic painting of miniature jeepneys, perfecting adobo and the plane crash survivors role-playing task. Other hints are reflected in their wake up calls and even within their conversations per se.

Bodie, Mickey, Saicy and Wendy are analyzing this latest ploy of Big Brother in light of the 24 hour rule they’ve been oriented about when they joined PBB Season 2. Bodie explains that this rule maintains that a housemate, after being outside the house for 24 hours, cannot go back inside anymore -- and Bruce is gone for 24 hours already. They were making comparisons about similar departures in the previous editions of PBB to rationalize the Hardcourt Hottie's sudden absence.

Thinking that this is another secret task, Bodie states that maybe, Bruce is just hiding somewhere near the house with the staff. Quite nearer on target though, Mickey told them about how Big Brother works in Germany. A bit more and he could have reached the conclusion that Bruce is off to become a housemate in another country!

In another group of HMs, Gee-ann is observing how weird this week is: no nomination and eviction, no laundry, then the recent tasks and other events... Sigh. Housemates, housemates, housemates… You have no idea that more bizarre things are yet to come with the Big Brother Swap now on its full swing!

Will the housemates correctly guess the destination of Bruce and their fates as well before Tina shows up on Saturday night? Keep yourselves in-the-know by tuning in to Big Brother Season 2, leading to the big night on Saturday Primetime Bida!

http://bb2.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/547/Article/4636/Default.aspx

Bruce leaves PBB house for Slovenia

Basketball hunk Bruce Quebral left the "Pinoy Big Brother" house Wednesday night into an unknown future. Ten sad and curious housemates watched him walk away.

Former beauty queen Wendy Valdez, the housemate being romantically linked to the erstwhile UP Maroons cager, walked Bruce to the door, her eyes red with tears.

"TV Patrol World" aired live footage showing a blindfolded Bruce being whisked off to a waiting van outside PBB house. Little did the 25-year-old housemate from Cainta, Rizal that when his blindfold is taken off, he will find himself in a Big Brother house all right, but in a different continent!

PBB director Lauren Dyogi said Bruce was handpicked to participate in the worldwide hit reality television's second "Housemate Swap."

Bruce is set to leave for Slovenia in Central Europe at 12:20 a.m. Thursday, April 19. Tina Selomic, 22, of the Slovenian "Big Brother" show will take his place at PBB on Saturday, April 21. Her arrival at the PBB house will be telecast live at 9:30 p.m.

Dyogi said he chose Tina, a former beauty queen, from among the Slovenian housemates because her "personality would fit well" with the Filipino contestants.

Dyogi said ABS-CBN management and the Slovenian show's production team agreed with his decision to pick Tina.

Earlier, Igor Bratoz, creative director of "Slovenian Big Brother," said Bruce was selected among PBB's male housemates for his character and dynamics.

"I think he will bring some competition among the men in the house because actually we don’t have such good-looking guys in the show right now," he said. "We found that Bruce, his dynamics and even his looks, will be perfect for the Slovenian Big Brother. So we are very excited to see Bruce in our Big Brother House."

The Housemate Swap, created to promote cross-cultural interaction, first took place in May 2003 between Mexico and Spain.

Bruce’s sudden departure from the PBB house, however, did not sit well with the remaining housemates.

The housemates, including Bruce, were unaware of the swap. They all took the news rather hard.

Wendy nearly went to hysterics shortly after Bruce announced that he would be leaving the house.

Big Brother calmed her down by saying: "Hindi lahat ng pag-alis ay malungkot (Not all departures are sad)."

Aside from Wendy, Bruce’s "Mr. Perfect" best buddy, Ronel "Nel" Rapiz, burst into tears upon learning that his friend would be making his exit on such short notice.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=74067

"Lover boy to!"

“I feel blessed to have been there… no regrets.” Kian Kazemi, the 21-year-old restaurant owner and ex-PBB housemate, told the press. Despite being the latest evictee from the PBB house, Kian still exudes that confident, welcoming attitude he got known for during his stint inside the house. In fact, when asked about his mahangin image, he replied: “Dating ko maangas talaga, pero pag nagsimula na ang usapan, alam na nilang hindi. Di nila alam, sanay to sa hirap!”

He has experienced his own fair share of hardships; they were financially unstable for a time, and he got kicked out of high school for his rowdy behavior. However, he pushed through and finished Hotel and Restaurant Management in the De La Salle University College of St. Benilde. He put up a restaurant he manages until today: Persia Grill in Makati, which fuses Filipino and Persian cuisine; not unlike his heritage.

He describes his stay in the PBB house as nothing short of fulfilling. Kian admits he joined out of curiosity, but soon found he more than satiated this during his stay. “My first motivation was the priceless experience,” he relates. “I thought of it as boot camp; you were told what to do at a set time, but it was still fun.”

Of course, he hasn’t lost the close friendship he has with his fellow housemates. He has nothing but praise for Gee-Ann, one of his closest friends: “Enjoy ako magluto para sa kanya kase sarap na sarap siyang kumain eh!” He then added that he was impressed with her decision to give up Pamela, saying: “Binigay niya to let go of something… I’m happy for her.”

When asked who his bet was, however, he never flinched even for a second. “My money’s on Nel… that’s my boy!” The two formed a close friendship while inside the house, and remained to be quite the comedic tandem. Kian also formed strong ties with Bruce and Mickey, and he points out: “Mas may teamwork ang lalaki, kahit may differences.”

Kian wooed the press like he did the housemates, and from this it isn’t surprising if a career in showbiz is next in line for him. “I consider myself versatile,” when asked if he preferred hosting or acting gigs. “I don’t wanna compare myself to anyone… I’m gonna be my own man.” And with his attitude and impact, what he said doesn’t seem far off at all.

http://bb2.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/547/Article/4631/Default.aspx

Lost

The housemates, fresh from Bruce’s surprise departure, are quickly given an activity as an installment of their weekly task. They were asked to dress up and look like what can only be describes as zombies or murder victims, complete with tattered clothes, fake blood, and the occasional rags and bandages. While waiting for the activity, they had lunch in their costumes, which is, to say the least, a very weird roleplay in itself!

It was soon revealed through Bea that their roleplaying would take on a more drastic (and difficult) turn. The housemates were first given notes of how they would act, then the task was read. They were to act as survivors of a plane crash (explaining their gruesome disposition) and evacuate themselves from the crash site to a safe place, as indicated by Big Brother. They also had to gather 12 tins of sardines and corned beef, a bandaged ‘dead body’, water, biscuits, and three suitcases from the wreckage, all in an hour.

As an added twist, some of the survivors were given a specific injury, hence the notes. Gee-Ann, for example, was to act hysterical every time she hears loud noises. Nel, on the other hand, was blind, while Wendy was rendered unable to use her legs. This activity, if they succeed, would earn them 20 gold coins; however, failure would win them nothing.

So they quickly proceeded to the activity area, where they will have one hour to accomplish this task. Taking note that it was forbidden to break off character, Gee-Ann did her best not to laugh, as she gets amused easily. But it turned out to be a very serious affair, as the housemates engaged in a search and rescue operation with an odd sense of genuine urgency. Mickey, Robert, Bodie, and the other ‘unharmed’ survivors continued to ward off Gee-Ann hysterics as they devised plans to transport the injured ones.

Will they succeed and win 20 gold coins, or will it be a crash-and-burn affair? We’ll keep you posted!

http://bb2.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/547/Article/4624/Default.aspx