For Brent Manalo, the Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition wasn’t just another opportunity — it was his last shot.

Before he stepped inside Kuya’s famous house, Brent was on the verge of giving up on a dream he had nurtured for years. Rejections had piled up. Confidence had waned. And for someone whose heart was deeply anchored in the world of entertainment, that reality hurt more than he dared admit — until now.

“PBB was my last straw,” Brent revealed during a recent Star Magic Spotlight press conference. “If that didn’t work, I would have quit. I had been rejected so many times before, and there was a point when I really believed I wasn’t meant to make it big in this industry.”

The quiet fighter

Inside the PBB house, Brent was never the loudest. He was observant, often reserved, and deeply reflective. But that didn’t mean he lacked presence. On the contrary, when it mattered most, he made himself heard — not with drama, but with depth.

“Even before PBB, tahimik na talaga ako,” he admitted. “But if may sasabihin ako, malaki ang consideration ko sa kapwa ko housemates. I chose my moments — and I made them count.”

That thoughtful approach resonated not only with his fellow housemates but also with the viewers. Slowly but surely, Brent captured the public’s attention — and their hearts.

Last chance to life-changing win

Paired with internet personality and actress Mika Salamanca, Brent formed one-half of the Big Winner Duo of this season’s PBB Celebrity Collab. Their partnership, forged inside the pressure-cooker environment of reality TV, stood out for its sincerity and trust.

But the victory wasn’t just about the title. It was about redemption — for Brent, it was proof that his perseverance had finally paid off.

“Sometimes I still feel like it was all a fever dream,” he said, reflecting on the overwhelming support they received after their win.

That support has now become real, tangible, and powerful.

“I didn’t expect that so many people would show up — not just for me, but for all of us,” he shared, still in awe. “Before, during mall shows, konti lang ang dumadating. Now, hundreds, even thousands. I hope this feeling never ends.”

A star reborn

Brent Manalo is no longer the boy on the brink of quitting. He is now an artist on the rise, a name etched in the memories of PBB fans, and an inspiring symbol of resilience. What started as a final chance became his first real breakthrough — and he’s just getting started.

As he charts a new path beyond the PBB house, Brent carries with him not just the lessons of the past but the quiet strength of someone who almost gave up — and instead, found his purpose under the spotlight.