When people think of "Pinoy Big Brother" success stories, the spotlight usually lands on the Big Winners. After all, they're the ones who bagged the title and the momentum that comes with it.
Barbie Imperial, however, has managed to carve out a fruitful 12-year career in showbiz despite becoming the first evictee of "Pinoy Big Brother 737" in 2015, which shows that there's still a big break waiting even for those who exit Bahay Ni Kuya early.
In the debut episode of "Hello Outside World," a vodcast hosted by Bianca Gonzalez and Esnyr Ranollo that reunites "PBB" alumni for candid conversations about life after Bahay Ni Kuya, Barbie, joined by Melai Cantiveros, looked back on the disappointments, lessons, and big wins that greeted her after eviction.
From first evictee to leading lady
Growing up along the 'riles' in Bicol, Barbie entered "PBB" at the age of 15, carrying the dream of lifting her family out of poverty. She even stopped schooling to devote all her time to that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, only to be evicted two weeks later.
Adding to Barbie's post-eviction heartbreak was finding out that some of the housemates had spoken negatively about her behind her back. Barbie didn't expect that revelation, as she believes she stayed genuine throughout her two-week stay.
"Medyo painful for me ‘yung paglabas ko. Paglabas ko, napanood ko ‘yung mga videos ng mga kaibigan ko sa loob [ng bahay]. Nagsasabi sila ng something bad about me. So, sabi ko, 'Oh my gosh!' Nasaktan ako. As in, dumating sa point na na-bitter talaga ako. Ayoko manood. Ayoko manood ng TV hanggang Big Night. Ayoko, na-hurt ako," she divulged.
Rather than heading back to Bicol after eviction, Barbie chose to stay in Manila and accept whatever work she could get. Besides, she thought it'd be too late to enroll for that academic year.
"Ang mindset ko talaga no'n was to help na. Kasi, 15 na ako tapos nakikita ko na nahihirapan na si Mama. Tapos, wala rin akong dad. So, parang, ‘yung mga tumutulong lang sa'min, mga kapatid lang ni Mama, gano'n. And then, ‘yung kapatid ko, nag-work as OFW sa Dubai," she added.
From there, she threw herself into go-sees and said yes to every project, even the daring parts that teen actresses would usually shy away from, mostly in "Ipaglaban Mo" and "Maalaala Mo Kaya." It didn't take long before she was asked to audition for a lead role. In 2018, she got her big break as a leading lady in the ABS-CBN drama series "Precious Hearts Romances Presents Araw Gabi."
With her career taking off that fast, her journey has become an inspiration to many housemates who worry that an early eviction means the end of their dreams. "'Yung mga housemates na lumalabas, nagme-message sila sa akin na, 'Ate, paano mo ginawa? First evictee ka pero nandyan ka pa rin?'" shared Barbie, whom we last saw on primetime via "Blood vs Duty."
Life looks a little different now. From living along the 'riles,' she now owns a bigger house and is able to provide for her family. But one thing has never changed—the dynamics Barbie shares with her mom and brother, whom she appreciates for still hustling on their own instead of depending entirely on her financially. Barbie is thankful that she's never experienced the pressure many breadwinners talk about.
"Kahit breadwinner ako, alam mo 'yung hindi mo nararamdaman na bigay ka lang nang bigay ng pera. And, ang sarap sa pakiramdam nu'n, kasi marami na akong napanood na parang breadwinner sila tapos nakakapagod for them," she mused. "'Yung kuya ko and si Mama, nagwo-work sila sa sarili nila. Tapos 'pag humihingi sila, nahihiya pa sila sa akin. Eh, ako naman, gusto ko talagang nagse-share ako ng blessings ko sa kanila."
Mommy's Barbie girl
Her mom Bing, who raised her singlehandedly, currently stays in Bicol but visits her every month. "Sabi ko nga sa kanya mag-stay na siya [dito]. Hindi niya daw kaya yung Manila. Wala siyang friends dito," Barbie smiled. And sometimes those visits would feel bittersweet, as seeing her mom only once a month would make her notice the changes that come with aging. "Nag-iiba na every month. Parang minsan may white hair, dumadami na. Nakikita mo na siyang tumatanda. Nakakaiyak," she said.
Barbie considers her mom the best friend who's been there through every chapter of her life, from driving her to school on a motorcycle when she was little to working multiple jobs just to provide for their family of three. Even today, Mommy Bing is still the first person she calls when life feels overwhelming.
“Umiiyak lang ako na sobrang pagod ako. As in, pagod na pagod na ako. Then, sinasabi niya lang na, 'Konti na lang. Bukas paggising mo, feel better ka, napahinga ka na.' So, ang laking bagay 'pag may gano'ng klaseng mom, 'di ba? ‘Yung present talaga," Barbie reflected, adding that she's free to decide on her life but she also understands that Mommy Bing's trust is not to be taken for granted. "'Pag nabali mo ‘yung tiwala niya, oh my gosh, magagalit talaga siya. So, hindi ko bine-break ‘yung trust niya."
Barbie then praised her mother for choosing kindness over resentment. Mommy Bing never spoke ill of Barbie's dad, from whom they were estranged even though he lived just minutes away from their house. And because Mommy Bing didn't pass her pain on to her children, Barbie grew up not hating her father.
She also watched her mom model unwavering faith. While Mommy Bing wasn't necessarily the type to attend Sunday Mass every week, she made it a habit to turn to God no matter what season of life she was in, whether she was celebrating a blessing or nursing a disappointment. Barbie developed the same habit into adulthood. She may not always make it to church every weekend, but whenever she's overwhelmed, grateful, or just needs a reset, she makes it a point to visit the church near her condo. Looking back, she knows life's challenges could've made her bitter, but the faith modeled by Mommy Bing helped her remain hopeful instead.
It was the same positivity that Barbie held on to after her "PBB" eviction. Watching Mommy Bing raise her with optimism amid challenges when she was a kid, Barbie has learned to believe there's always a better day coming.
On embracing motherhood someday
Inspired by the love and support she received from her own mother growing up, Barbie said she'd also love to become a mom someday. She's fond of kids, but at 27, there's no rush for Barbie. She still has plenty of dreams to chase before settling down.
More than timing, though, Barbie admitted she's concerned about social issues like healthcare, education, and the country's current situation, making her wonder what kind of future awaits the next generation.
"Actually, isa siyang factor for me kaya hindi pa ako ready kasi sa gobyernong 'to. Parang, paano? Sa sistema na 'to, paano? 'Yung healthcare, 'yung edukasyon, parang, if ngayon, parang paano? Anong mangyayari?" she reflected. Having lived through difficult circumstances herself, Barbie would never want her future children to experience the same hardships.
Catch "Hello Outside World," hosted by Bianca and Esnyr, with fresh episodes every Wednesday, on ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel.
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