How PBB promotes Filipino values

Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) teen housemate Rita Gabiola recounted how her family survived a typhoon that destroyed their house as she picked up the puzzle pieces that would show a picture of where she lives.

When her teen housemates saw Rita having difficulty in putting them together, they quickly stood and helped her finish the task.

And when it was her turn to show the completed puzzle, the 13-year-old girl’s initial hesitation went away after getting a boost of confidence from her housemates who cheered her on.

They clapped as Rita revealed her humble home. She smiled then recounted, “Dati hindi ganito ang bahay namin. Pero noong time na yun, bumagyo sa amin. ’Yung mga yero, lumipad lahat. Doon muntik akong mamatay at niligtas ko ang mga kapatid ko.”

It was Rita’s story that struck most of the housemates, making them realize that what makes up a house is not the structure or the decorations, but the people who live in it.

As Kuya advised Rita in the confession room, “Kung matatag at masaya ang pundasyon ng inyong pamilya, wala kang dapat ikahiya tungkol dito.”

Rita replied, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na kahit sira po ang bahay namin, at least, buo kaming lahat magpamilya.”

Through the activity, the housemates got to know one another better as each shared stories about their families and growing up. This was one of the tasks that the 12 Filipino teenagers completed while staying together in PBB. 

For University of Santo Tomas Department of Sociology chair Josephine Aguilar-Placido, the Pinoy Big Brother show is a learning experience to the viewers because it showcases different relationship structures, dynamics and interactions.

She described the current teen edition as a “conglomeration of cultures” that shows the process of assimilation.

“Even if they have different ways of life, they were able to gel. It only indicates that age has nothing to do with the assimilation process for as long as they are on their own and that they are there to survive,” she said.

UST sociology professor Antonio Tobias IV added that PBB is a good way to entertain audiences positively, while being able to infuse values in the show.

“What’s nice about PBB is that you can motivate your audience towards a better direction. It’s a good thing that the people see it as something that represents them but in a way you can control what’s going on in there by infusing values that will benefit the people,” he said.

Since its launch in 2005, PBB has mirrored the hopes, plight and aspirations of Filipinos through its diverse mix of housemates. Big Brother formulates tasks and challenges for the housemates to bring out their best, test their characters and strengths, and foster camaraderie as they undergo a transformative journey inside the house.

Recently, the housemates worked together to complete a dance challenge on top of a sticky cornstarch mixture. Two of them successfully completed secret tasks that allowed one of the housemates to talk to her mother in person in the confession room as they were not able to do so before she entered the PBB house. The boys successfully reconstructed Rita’s house, which paved the way for Rita to see her family.

As they willingly and selflessly carry out the challenges knowing how the results will bring joy to their fellow housemates, viewers get to see the differences in their personalities and upbringing.

Placido noted that the current housemates belong to different socio-economic class, including one from an ethnic group.

“The show is an affirmation that social stratification is not a problem. If you are all in one area by yourselves, you will be creating your own culture,” she explained.

The show enjoys high TV viewership on its afternoon and late-night timeslots as well as a strong following from netizens who follow the series and cheer for their favorite housemates who they think embody the best traits of the Filipino people. As the show’s tagline goes, it is a celebration or a testament to the “galing ng Pilipino.”

According to Placido, the enculturation process is very strong among the teens, whose behavior showcased the Filipino traditions, values and beliefs.

“PBB is unique. It brought together different housemates, but you will see that they all have strong values,” she said.

Since the current teen edition debuted two weeks ago, Placido has observed how the teen housemates have respect for one another, exhibited the “bayanihan” spirit in completing tasks for the fulfillment of a fellow housemate’s dream and showcased the Filipino talents.

As the teen housemates share their dreams, aspirations and concerns in life, Kuya is looking after them like a life coach, enabling and empowering the young housemates.

In a recent episode, the teen housemates didn’t know that the undergarment they played with belonged to Rita, who got upset when she discovered it was hers. The housemates realized their mistake, approached Rita and apologized for their behavior. Rita accepted the apology and they have all moved on and learned from the misstep contrary to what some netizens who may not have watched the show described as bullying.

For Placido, the teens are “grown-ups who know what is right or wrong. There are norms and sanctions in the house. They have a Kuya. They are not left alone. They know how to follow rules. One false move, they apologize. There is guidance.”

Tobias added, “Each PBB batch has its own identity depending on the trends at the time. PBB is a positive opportunity to influence people and empower our youth and viewers.”

Listening to the teens’ conversations and reflections can make viewers realize that the teens may be young, but they have also encountered many things in life and have the capacity to learn from these experiences.

Nineteen-year-old Maymay once shared, “Kung wala tayong problema, hindi tayo matututong lumaban.”   

Heaven once sighed about life’s challenges and said, “Hindi magkakaroon ng rainbow kung walang rain.”

It is amazing listening to the young housemates. Adults can surely learn from them. Parents can get to know the interests and concerns of teenagers these days. As Placido put it, “They would like to see that the kids are no longer kids. Their values are intact.”