The house that never sleeps is back

MANILA, Philippines - The most popular house on TV will finally open on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Bahay ni Kuya has sheltered housemates from the past two seasons and spin-offs like teen and celebrity editions. The house that never sleeps is again all eyes on its boarders 24/7.

For the third season, ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother, a rich source of showbiz materials, adds Double Up to its name.

What does the phrase mean?

“It could mean two seasons in one which is not yet done in other countries,” answers Mariel Rodriguez who will host Pinoy Big Brother Double Up along with Bianca Gonzalez and Toni Gonzaga. “(If it does,) it will happen first in the Philippines.”

“More wishes for the housemates,” adds Bianca. “Two houses,” says Toni.

Whether Double Up means a double wish or two adjoining houses, direk Lauren Dyogi assures that Double Up will “change the look of the house and the technical requirements of the show. It brings double happiness to the viewers.”

The blue and yellow house’s renovation cost the production team an amount equaled of constructing a house in a posh Alabang subdivision. The new interiors will still carry the standard residential sections but will pave the way for the new gimmick. The housemates, however, can still soak under the sun with the swimming pool outside.

But what the public should also look forward to is the new batch of housemates. Like in the previous seasons, Pinoy Big Brother Double Up has interesting personalities coming from different demographics. Among them are a stud, a street smart and a cook from Samar, Mindoro and Batangas, respectively. What a riot they create when these men meet up with Cebu’s Ritchie Rich.

Making the temperature rise inside Kuya’s house are a carefree girl from General Santos and a vamp from Cebu. Everyone can’t help but sympathize when a struggling Davaoeña mother and a young mom, who got pregnant at 14 and widowed at 20, show their vulnerable side.

Big Brother’s boarders underwent four phases of screening: Leadership skills, creativity, communication and reaction/survival skills in tough situations. These are necessary because they will be confined for more than 100 days with physical and emotional challenges to deal with. And the one who can stand the pressure will win a house and lot and a million.

“I have become compassionate about (the housemates),” replies Mariel when asked about lessons learned after her stint as a guest housemate. “I learned the importance of getting along with others,” shares Bianca, Celebrity Edition runner-up.

Aside from Double Up, what else does Juan dela Cruz expect from Pinoy Big Brother 3?

The story is definitely different, says direk Lauren. And that depends on who gives the story. He refers to the housemates the televiewers will get to know more on Studio 23’s Pinoy Big Brother Weekend Primetime starting Oct. 10, 6 p.m. with Pinoy Big Brother Streaming on Oct. 12, 1 p.m.