Ten years after being rejected from "Pinoy Big Brother," Mika Salamanca has finally lived out her dream and reigned victorious in the reality TV series.
On Instagram, one-half of the Big Winner duo looked back on her "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition" journey with a photo carousel of some of her memorable moments inside the house.
“Pumasok ako ng ‘PBB’ na may dalang konting damit at pangarap lang, kaya hindi ko in-expect na aabot ako sa dulo, ‘cause [what do you mean] umabot talaga tayo sa dulo?! No way, legit?" she wrote in disbelief.
The "Sang'gre" actress revealed this wasn't her first try in "PBB," recalling how she didn't make the cut when she auditioned for the show 10 years ago.
“Ten years ago, ‘di ako pinalad na makapasok sa ‘PBB,’ siguro dahil hindi pa ko ready,” she said.
"I'm a firm believer that when plans don't go your way, it's because God has a bigger one, at ito yun!" she added.
Mika also shared how she focused on staying true to herself throughout the season, which eventually led to her victory.
“Hanggang ngayon po, hindi ko pa rin po maintindihan kung ano ang ginawa kong tama sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya para maging ‘Big Winner’ dahil ang ginawa ko lang naman po ay ang bilin ng mga mahal ko sa buhay—ang maging ako,” she said.
"Thank you for letting me reintroduce myself," Mika said. “Words are not enough to explain how overwhelmed I am sa lahat ng sumalubong na pagmamahal sa amin.”
She also gave emotional tributes to her fellow housemates, particularly Shuvee Etrata, Klarisse de Guzman, Dustin Yu, her final duo partner Brent Manalo, and Bianca De Vera, whom she called her "Immunity Queen."
Addressing her ka-duo Brent, Mika said, "from your manifestation sa first duo formation to being the final duo to being the first duo big winner! You really made this journey easier by carrying my emotions with me."
"You never made me feel na mabigat yung baggage ko kasi lagi kang ready na sumalo," she added.
Mika wrapped up her message by thanking the "PBB" production and management teams, her friends and family, and, of course, Kuya.
"For the last time, ako po si Mika, Ang Controversial Ca-Babe-Len Ng Pampanga," she said.
Mika and Brent, known as BreKa, emerged as the Big Winners of "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition," the first duo to share the title in the show's history.
"Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition" is getting a second season later this year.
The 20 housemates of the first edition are set to reunite at an event titled "The Big ColLOVE" on August 10, 8 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
More details, including ticket prices, will be revealed soon.
— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News