As she continues to adjust to her whirlwind schedule since emerging as one half of the winning duo in Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab edition last month, Mika Salamanca said she has been relieved to confirm that her duo partner Brent Manalo has not changed since they went back into the real world. In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during the 2025 Acer Day event held last August 9 at the MOA Arena, Mika shared how things continue to look up for both of them this year.
“Pinag-uusapan namin ito actually sa loob ng bahay ni Kuya lagi, na parang, ‘Pagka lumabas tayo dito, may magbabago ba sa atin? May iba ka pa bang ugali na dapat ma-discover ko?’ And then, sabi niya, ‘Hindi. Kung anong nakikita mo, yun na ako.’ And then, totoo nga. Kung sino siya sa loob ng Bahay, ganun din siya sa labas! The same. Napakabait po niya,” she told PUSH ABS-CBN.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Mika Salamanca reveals how she learned to handle bashers: ‘I’m self-secure’
Although she was very careful to clarify that everything between them is platonic, Mika was happy to share what qualities she thinks makes her duo partner an ideal guy.
“For someone else? (laughs) He’s very protective. Si Brent is going to protect you. Even though wala ka sa tabi niya during the time na yun, i-po-protect ka niya. He’s really a good guy talaga. He knows how to listen. Sobrang talino niya. Sobrang self-secure din niya na tao. Isa yun sa pinakamagandang quality ng magiging partner mo, pagiging self-secure,” she admitted.
Apart from multiple showbiz commitments with Brent and the rest of her PBB family, Mika is also gearing up to prepare for her first album under Star Music this year, a dream come true for this former YouTuber who was known for performing her impressive cover songs that often go viral.
“To be honest, magsisinungaling ako kung sasabihin kong hindi. Kasi siyempre may pangarap ako. Siyempre may mga gusto ako gawin. Dapat i-envision mo something big for yourself. Pero hindi ko inaasahan na ganitong amount ng pagmamahal yung ma-ri-receive namin. All glory to God yun na na-ri-receive namin yun. Parang it’s a way for us to strive more or to become better para sa kanila din,” she explained.
Aside from her singing, Mika also wants to focus on her acting career this year as well. “Actually, before ako pumasok sa Bahay ni Kuya, priority ko ang acting. Kasi, itong field na ito para sa mga magulang ko naman siya, kasi pangarap ito ng magulang ko. So nag-wo-workshop ako para dun, ganyan. Siyempre, sasabihin nila pag galing sa vlogging, medyo meron silang stereotype sa acting. Gusto ko rin ipakita sa mga tao na kaya din namin,” she added.