The “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” housemates have formed their Final Duos as the reality show enters its most intense and exciting chapter yet—the remaining days leading to the Big Night.
Here are the Final Duos who will be facing the next challenges together in hopes of earning a slot in the coveted Big Four lineup.
The Kapamilya-Kapuso Final Duo formation was based on the housemates’ ranking following the “pole balancing” challenge. The higher their rank, the better their chances of picking their preferred 'endgame', although the first person they'd choose still has the right to decline, except for Rank 1, Ralph de Leon, whose choice would automatically be locked in. Former duos were also allowed to reunite, and some did. More than just strategy, the final pairings reflected bond and loyalty as the housemates opted to follow their hearts and honor the friendships they built inside Bahay Ni Kuya.
In the June 4 episode, wildcard returnee Ralph was given the privilege to choose his Final Duo after leading the rankings. When hosts Bianca Gonzalez and Gabbi Garcia asked who among the Kapuso housemates wanted to be Ralph’s duo partner, both AZ Martinez and Will Ashley stepped forward. And while most viewers expected him to pick AZ (Rank 7) because of the growing closeness between them, he surprised everyone by choosing Will (Rank 5) instead. "Napakalaking parte niya po sa journey ko sa Bahay Ni Kuya," said Ralph as he named Will.
Then on Thursday, June 5, Kapuso housemate Shuvee Etrata (Rank 2) picked Klarisse de Guzman, contrary to what many viewers anticipated that she would go for fellow Bisaya Esnyr (who ended up at the bottom of the rankings after failing to complete the task and was the very last one left to be chosen) as she mentioned in past episodes. But Shuvee gave it serious thought and followed her heart. "I really wanna think so much about winning and I have a lot of considerations. However, for today, I'm gonna follow what's in my heart... I choose this duo kasi po matagal na po naming pinag-usapan na maging ka-duo," she explained before naming Klarisse, who gladly accepted the offer.
Klarisse was actually supposed to be the next to select, being Rank 3, but said the ShuKla tandem was a mutual choice from the start as Shuvee was the only person she had in mind as well. “I think this is it para bumawi sa’yo sa pagkakasalba mo sa akin," expressed Klarisse, referring to that time when she jumped into the pool after getting drunk, and Shuvee jumped in to save her despite still wearing a lapel mic and getting it soaked, which was a violation of Kuya’s house rules that resulted in Shuvee's automatic nomination.
Since Klarisse, who was Rank 3, had already settled with a teammate, the next to pick was Dustin Yu at Rank 4. And it looked like he had been holding off on choosing Bianca de Vera (Rank 8) in the earlier Duo Formations because he was saving the DustBia tandem for the finale, just as many had suspected. “Pinipili ko po itong taong ito kasi sobrang laking part niya sa journey ko dito sa PBB,” he shared, which made some housemates squeal with kilig. Netizens even joked that Bianca’s response sounded like an 'I do' when she said, “We've been through a lot in this house. We've been through thick and thin, hell and back... Aso't pusa man tayo madalas, I wouldn't have it other way, so tapusin na natin ito.”
In the following episode on Friday, June 6, Mika Salamanca (Rank 6) went for Brent Manalo (Rank 11) as her Final Duo, to the delight of many MikBrent shippers. “Pipiliin ko po itong taong ito dahil isa po siya sa malaking parte ng growth at journey ko dito sa loob ng bahay... At isa po siya sa napakabuti, napakasipag, at selfless na taong nakilala ko. And I think this person is my strength inside the house,” she said, referring to Brent, who once showed selflessness when he gave up his golden seat during the Big Carnival show just for her.
However, everyone held their breath for a second when Brent kept a straight face, almost as if he was unsure. “I'm sorry, Mika...” he began seriously, but then broke into laughter and continued, “...tinatanggap ko.” According to Brent, as early as the second week when they were first paired together, he and Mika already had a quiet understanding that they would pick each other if they ever get the chance to choose a Final Duo. As netizens reacted, they were clearly #MeNt to be.
Next to decide on her Final Duo was AZ (Rank 7), who picked River Joseph (Rank 10) because of his 'green flag' qualities. “This person has been a light and inspiration to many of us housemates. This person is strong, selfless, and stands by the value of friendship... And being a gentle giant is his own kind of magic,” she said of River, whom she also described as a "hero" to most of the housemates. In turn, River didn't hesitate to team up with AZ, who is like a little sister to him inside the house and whom he appreciates for her kind attitude and strong performance during tasks.
Meanwhile, viewers couldn’t help but notice how Esnyr (Rank 12) looked downcast as he became the only remaining Kapamilya housemate who hadn’t been chosen, which added to the emotional weight he was already carrying from being the only one who failed to finish the Duo Formation Task that placed him at the very bottom of the rankings.
But it wasn’t just a matter of having no choice for Charlie Fleming (Rank 9), because according to her, she would have chosen him still if she had the chance to pick earlier. “I'm actually really, really, really happy na siya po yung naging Final Duo ko, at walang ka-effort-effort po. Kung may tadhana and everything, ito na din po yun,” she said, to which Esnyr responded with gratitude and honesty. “Thank you, thank you, kasi you made me feel na likeable ako,” he told Charlie. “Salamat kasi sobrang bigat po sa akin ng week na ito, at eto po talaga yung kinakatakutan ko na hindi ako mapili, ganyan. Pero nung narinig ko po si Charlie, sobrang na-appreciate ko po yung tiwala niya sa akin.”
With the formation of the 6 Final Duos, it only means we're only a few steps away from the much-anticipated Big Night. Hosts Bianca and Gabbi announced that only four weeks remain until the finale. But before that, the housemates will have to face even tougher challenges and surprises, including the arrival of big-name houseguests—starting with none other than Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista, who recently entered Bahay Ni Kuya. And as the countdown continues, more housemates will face eviction until the final Big Four duos are revealed.
Changes in the broadcast schedule of “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” has also been announced. Starting this week, “PBB Collab” will air weeknights at 10:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 6:15 p.m. via GMA Network, and online via live streams on Pinoy Big Brother’s YouTube channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and iWantTFC, with Sunday episodes no longer included in the lineup.