PBB Lucky 7 big winner: Don’t be afraid to dream

Maymay Entrata, the 19-year-old “Wacky Go Lucky ng Cagayan de Oro,” captured the hearts of viewers and most of the votes Sunday night to become the Big Winner of the longest season of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Lucky 7. 

“Ito yung pinakamasaya na nangyari sa buhay ko, yung saya na di nababayaran. Masasama ko po sa priceless treasures ng buhay ko. Tumitingin lang ako sa TV sa big winner noon at masaya na ako para sa kanya. Ngayon nararamdaman ko na ang nararamdaman nila,” she said at the press conference right after the Big Night. 

Maymay, who obtained 42.71 percent of the total text votes, took home the P1M prize, a house and lot from Camella and an Asian tour package for two from Von Dutch.   

During her stay, Maymay brought cheers and laughter to viewers and fellow housemates and became a guiding sister to her younger housemates. She said she is happy that people are comparing her to famous comediennes Pokwang and Melai Cantiveros. 

“Masaya ako kasi big stars sila. At sila yung kilala sa buong Pilipinas. Gagawin ko rin naman ang best ko. Ako gagawa mismo ng sarili kong pangalan. Gusto ko rin sila makatrabaho,” she said. 

She also shared her pains of growing up without a father and losing her grandfather while she was inside the PBB house. 

“Napakaraming pagsubok sa buhay ko. May choices tayo kung susuko o babangon. Pero pinilit kong bumangon, bumangon at bumangon ako. Hindi ko akalain na ito ang ibibigay sa akin. Hangga’t di mo nagagawang bumangon, hindi mo malalaman anong para sa iyo at yun ang ginawa ko,” she said.

With her success story, Maymay hopes she is able to inspire people. 

“Huwag na huwag kayong susuko sa inyong mga pangarap. Huwag kalimutan kung saan kayo pumunta sa pangarap niyo ang mga taong tumulong sa iyo. Kapag kayo ay nadapa, bumangon lang kayo at lagi niyong tandaan kung paano kayo nagsimula. Huwag na huwag kayong matakot magpakatotoo kung alam niyong tama kayo dahil diyan kayo dadalhin ng inyong mga pangarap patungo sa inaasam ninyong tagumpay,” she told the big crowd at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna. 

It was also the longest PBB season, which ran for 34 weeks. It had celebrity, teen and regular housemates in one season. For the past 11 years, PBB has remained to be one of the most watched programs in the country, a consistent top trending topic in social media and the most viewed reality show online via iWant TV. 

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 strengths and foster camaraderie as they undergo a transformative journey inside the house. 

Three other teen housemates joined Maymay as part of the Big Four. Kisses Delavin, the “Miracle Daughter of Masbate,” was declared Second Lucky Big Placer after garnering 31.27 percent of the total text votes and won P500,000.

“I am very happy. I feel super blessed. Nararamdaman ko na natutupad na ang mga pangarap ng friends ko. That is the best feeling ever, yung masaya ka para sa sarili mo, masaya ka rin sa naaabot ng iba,” said Kisses, whose sincerity and honesty earned praises from viewers. 

Third Lucky Big Placer Yong Muhajil, the “Pag-a-Son of Zamboanga,” earned 21.52 percent of the total votes and took home P300,000, while Fourth Lucky Big Placer Edward Barber, the “Cheerful Charmer ng Germany,” got 4.49 percent of votes and received P200,000.

Edward, who impressed direk Rory Quintos during an acting workshop in the PBB house, was also being compared by some to James Reid. 

“It is a great feeling to be compared to James.  Nakakataba ng puso. I am honored and happy.  Although it is cool to be compared to James, I’m going to be the next Edward. I don’t want to have anything given to me, except the opportunity. So I’ll make my own legacy,” he said. 

When asked which of their PBB experiences they would like to relive, Maymay and Edward pointed to the live drama, which they consider as one of the hardest challenges. For Yong, it was being with his housemate-friends again. And for Kisses, it was the Truth or Lie challenge because she felt so scared to be judged or criticized by people but she conquered her fear. While she plans to join a national beauty pageant in the future, Kisses said she would like to pursue her studies first and focus on an acting career. 

Maymay and Kisses have developed a close friendship during their stay and people wonder if they will be able to maintain their closeness now that they will be building their careers and compared to each other. 

“I won’t mind them. It will go away. Kung papansinin mo, mas lalo lang iingay. Basta kami, masaya kami,” said Maymay. 

“There will always be comparison. We will always respect their opinions. There will be times we will be compared. But after work, we will always be best friends,” said Kisses. 

The Big Night ruled national TV ratings and won its respective timeslots last weekend. The show scored 19.9 percent last March 4 and 20.6 percent, March 5.

On Saturday, the PBB awarded the other three Lucky 7 housemates namely Fifth Lucky Big Placer Tanner Mata, who also won a house and lot from Camella for winning a challenge inside the house, Sixth Lucky Big Placer 2-in-1 housemates Nikko Natividad-McCoy de Leon, and Seventh Lucky Big Placer Cora Waddell.  Each of them won P100,000. 

Hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez and Robi Domingo, the PBB Big Night was also attended by past winners and housemates like Kim Chiu, Jimboy Martin, Yassi Pressman, Dawn Chang, Zeus Collins, Bailey May, Ylona Garcia, Loisa Andalio, Joshua Garcia, Daniel Matsunaga and Alex Gonzaga.