“PBB Teen Edition Plus,” an exciting mix of diverse youngsters

BY BOY VILLASANTA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

An interesting mix of twelve wonderful teenagers makes the current "Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus" a wonderful visual experience.

The teeners were welcomed Sunday night as the new housemates of the Big Brother House, after going through rigorous auditions.

Most of the housemates were true-blue Filipinos; the rest were of mixed heritage.

One thing that a lot of the kids had in common was that they came from seemingly dysfunctional families. Here is a rundown of the colorful personalities comprising "PBB Teen Edition Plus".

Ejay Falcon, 18, comes from a poor area in Mindoro, where fishing and copra-making are the main livelihood. Ejay grew up under the sole guidance of his father, and is determined to make it on his own.

Kevin Garcia, 18, is of Spanish lineage on his father's side, and has Irish blood from his mother. He came to the Philippines with his mother after his parents separated.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Nicole from Cebu seems to be the luckiest girl in the group, having been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She is the most pampered person in her household, and comes from a tight-knit family.

Half-Swedish, half-Filipino Linda from Iriga City has joined several beauty contests, bikini opens included, but has never made it as titleholder.

Three housemates are from Davao; namely Nan, 17, a natural comedian; cheerful Jieriel, 16, who grew up with her stepdad after her biological father left her when she was just a tyke; and the incredible Priscilla, 17, who despite her hearing deficiency wants to interact with people of all persuasions. She discerns other people’s actions and reactions mostly through lip reading. Priscilla has won beauty titles, including Miss Teen Philippines-Mindanao.

Italian-born Alex, 18, left Milan with his Filipina mom who worked as a domestic helper there for twenty years, to settle permanently in Manila. His parents also ended up parting ways.

18-year-old Rona from Dumaguete, beams with pride even if her father is in prison. "This is for you, Dad. I love you," she said.

Meanwhile, a Fil-German, Valerie, 18, became fatherless four years ago. Her elder brother has been missing for eleven years, so she went to the Philippines to look for him.

Two pluses to the reality search are Robi Domingo of Ateneo and Josef of De La Salle University, who are likely to bring the archrivalry between their alma maters into the PBB House.

These young people weave colorful moments 24/7, as their lives become increasingly entangled within the Big Brother House.