AFTER a highly-successful opening run in 2005, the much-ballyhooed reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) is back, airing its Celebrity Edition nightly to the delight of many, the disgust of some, and the indifference of a few viewers.

“So, why do you watch it?” I asked one excitable yaya at my daughter’s preschool.

“Maganda siya, Ate, nakakaintriga at nakakatuwa,” she gushed, “kaya sinusubaybayan ko ‘yan gabi-gabi. Kahit nung unang PBB pa, talagang pinanood ko lahat!”

In contrast, my college buddy emphatically dismissed PBB as “walang katuturan” and “a waste of time”. “Huwag mo nang panoorin,” was his advice.

Meanwhile, a neighbor at my condominium complex told me that she no longer follows the show as the novelty of the pioneering season has worn off. “The new PBB just isn’t the same,” she noted, “kaya hindi na ako gaanong interesado.”

I missed the entire initial series hence I couldn’t commiserate with my neighbor. And unsure who to believe – the enthusiastic yaya or my unflappable friend – I decided to sit through several episodes of PBB to get acquainted with the celebrity-contestants and to know exactly what goes on inside “Bahay ni Kuya.”

Crying game

Emotional housemates, with tears and sniffles galore, greeted me when I tuned in. The first couple of times I watched, I wondered if the bawling would ever end, and why the residents were so readily reduced to tears. But listening to one celebrity after another explain feelings, share insights, talk to Big Brother in the confessional room, and try to comprehend their dillemmas, I realized why it was so effortless to bring on the waterworks.

No, it’s not because some of them are really actors, used to hamming up for the camera. I empathize with the housemates because there’s nothing easy at all about what they do; the difficulty of being away from home and family, behaving unaffectedly, co-habiting with 13 diverse personalities, believing in yourself, looking good and fitting in become most intense when you have to do it in front of millions of viewers, at all hours and for more than 50 consecutive days. Each act – positive or otherwise, trivial or significant – can be magnified to enhance or ruin one’s chances of winning. And since everyone is aspiring for the grand prize of over 3 million pesos in cash and prizes, loyalty and trust will always be suspect. A respected housemate-confidant may already be planning your ouster while offering comfort and advice.

So I wasn’t irked when sexy star Aleck Bovick tearfully confessed to Kuya that she wanted to leave the show to be with her aging, ailing father. Nor was I annoyed that young singer/actress-with-long-locks Roxie Barcelo cried buckets when informed that two of the girls will soon have shaved heads. I pitied sassy bold actress Keanna Reeves, who sobbed and tried to look undaunted while facing possible eviction. My heart went out to para-athlete Rudy Fernandez, the oldest of the bunch who was simple, kind and easily got along with everyone, but nevertheless had to leave Big Brother’s residence.

Taking sides

As what happens in most competitions, I couldn’t help rooting for certain individuals and wishing ill-fortune on others while digesting the scenes from PBB. I secretly longed for the quarrelsome designer Mitch Dulce to be thrown out to lessen the tension inside the house. I was glad when gracious and unselfish disc jockey Rico Robles eluded eviction. I admired pretty TV host Bianca Gonzales even more for admitting that she has issues with her alcoholic father, and for reacting maturely to hunk-daddy Christian’s teasing and matchmaking attempts. I was peeved at the childish Roxie for insensitively rejecting a male housemate who named her his “best friend.” I cheered for Aleck and Rico who both gamely agreed to go bald for worthy causes, and wondered if I’d have the courage to do the same. I marveled at Keanna’s chutzpah when she berated Mich for being self-centered and uncaring. I’m not a mean person, but I was truly relieved when Mich had an anxiety attack and had to depart to be treated at a hospital.

Fun time

There are games and other light incidents to offset the melodramatic moments in Kuya’s house. On my first night as a PBB viewer, I was treated to the silly spectacle called “Shoot the buko.” The game, ironically sponsored by Safeguard, was anything but safe, and it had as much logic as playing catch with a bowling ball. The celebrities also had no protective gear whatsoever to guard against the hard and heavy coconut they were tossing around. Perhaps they should have been warned that playing shoot the buko could result in a bukol. True enough, I spotted two housemates clutching ice packs right after the game. On hindsight, Big Brother must have deemed the contenders adult enough to keep the danger level down. Still, it was obvious that everyone enjoyed being active and was up to the challenge. Judging from the smiles, cheers, zest and the teamwork exhibited by the participants, I had no doubt they’d play the game again despite the threat of injuries.

I witnessed a lot of the mundane stuff, too. I saw celebrity-contestants walk around, lounge, set the table, wash, cook, sing, dance, sleep, chat, hug, wake up, brush their teeth, laugh, argue, sulk, read, rest, obey orders and respond to the voice of Big Brother. The games, chores and tests asked of the residents may seem inconsequential and ordinary, but they actually require loads of patience, cooperation, resilience and willpower to be done effectively.

Real life

PBB Celebrity Edition may not be the best show on the tube these days, but it’s as close to real life as can be. It must have more than just a few commendable qualities to be able to attract hordes of fans and supporters, plus numerous advertisers (I counted 10 commercials in one interval). Much as I hated staying up late to watch it (around 10:30 to 11:30 pm on weeknights), the experience wasn’t a complete “waste of time.”

The show is a reminder that the road to riches is neither smooth nor short. There are relationships to build, obstacles to hurdle, rules to conform to, battles to wage, lessons to understand, and changes to accept if you want to emerge a winner. It lets viewers remember important values first learned at home like respect, trust, love, sharing and helping those in need. PBB underscores the fact that we are all human beings who can dream, feel, think, decide, err and move on. Just like real life, it is best approached with minimal expectations and with the least amount of cynicism for maximum satisfaction.

At presstime, Christian Vasquez, Aleck Bovick, Gretchen Malalad, Roxie Barcelo and Rico Robles have joined the three other housemates (Mang Rudy, Angela and Mich) who had to leave Big Brother’s house.

Regina Gozar-Posadas was a former radio station news editor and now a freelance writer