Looking back on how their "Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition" stint has helped them grow, Brent Manalo remembers how Mika Salamanca had very little confidence in herself during their first days inside the house, "Kung pwede lang magtago siya sa likod ng kurtina para lang matago 'yong mga takot niya at mga self-doubt niya." But he knew she would end up being his friend. Now, he sees a different Mika, someone more sure of herself and is finally being understood and appreciated for who she really is.
And just as Brent saw her self-doubt, Mika saw his confidence just on their first day in the house. She noted how Brent looked completely put together, and close to perfect. "Parang nasa Wattpad na 'pag nakita mo parang slow-mo 'yong mundo," she says, drawing teasing comments from Brent mid-interview. But beyond the heartthrob image and “Wattpad boy” visual, she saw how high his walls were in the beginning. Eventually, those walls came down, and that was when she got to know the other side of Brent.
Brent’s playful side shows up even more whenever Mika is around, like in this Kapamilya Chat interview where he’s revealed that Mika makes such good coffee, so he ended up asking her to make one for him every day, even if he’s not really into coffee, until he started feeling shy about it and stopped because, as he teased, the deal was that Mika wanted to be called beautiful in return.
"Ayaw niya ako ipagtimpla 'pag, 'Miks, kape.' Gusto niya, 'Good morning, beautiful. Coffee, please,'" he says, while Mika protests before explaining that Brent never really said thank you anyway, and that for some reason, the only thing that worked as the magic word was “ganda.”
Watching their chemistry, one can’t help but wonder if there’s a chance for their friendship to level up—but according to them, it already has, from best friends to "best best friends."
Aside from the kilig they bring on screen, fans are drawn to BreKa because of their authenticity and big hearts. Netizens applauded their plan to donate their "PBB Collab" cash prize to Duyan Ni Maria Children’s Home in Pampanga, which was the same charity they chose to support during a task inside the house.
They didn’t win the task but they made a promise to make it happen anyway, which is why Mika already decided to help Duyan Ni Maria even before the Big Night, not even knowing yet what their placement would be or how things would turn out. Big Winner or not, she wanted to lend assistance to the orphanage.
While they’ve been praised for their selflessness, Brent believes that kindness should still come with boundaries, especially "when you feel like you're being taken advantage of." He reflects, "Okay maging selfless hangga't tingin mo may maibibigay ka pa. Pero kung sa tingin mo ubos na ubos ka na tapos ibibigay mo pa, don't be unfair to yourself."
Mika doesn’t even call it selflessness when she gives a part of herself to others, for she never expects anything in return. Giving makes her genuinely happy, and the joy she gets from those little acts of kindness is already more than enough to keep her going.
The “PBB Collab” Big Winner Duo are excited for what's next. They hope to work on projects together, maybe a rom-com. Mika is warming up for her next chapter as an artist under Star Music as well, and is especially thrilled about the possibility of working with Yeng Constantino, who’s been her music hero since she was a kid.
In between the hustle, they make time for hangouts with their "PBB Collab" co-housemates as they had already made plans to travel and spend more time together. This August 10, the whole "PBB Collab" squad is reuniting for "The Big ColLove "fancon happening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It’s only been three weeks since the "PBB Collab" Big Night, but life in the outside world hasn’t slowed down one bit for BreKa. “Parang ito 'yong pinakamabilis na tatlong linggo ng buhay ko,” Mika laughs, and you can tell she means it. The two have been swept into a whirlwind of stardom, with interviews, TV spots, and online show appearance left and right, but in between all the hustle, they’ve stayed the grounded and 'unBreKable' duo fans have come to love.