Real Talk

What The Situations Of Pinoy Big Brother Collab Housemates Remind Parents About

by Alexa Villano
April 4, 2025

In three separate episodes, celebrity housemates Ashley Ortega, Esnyr Ranollo, and Klarisse de Guzman opened up about their relationships with their parents

By now, many Filipinos have been watching Pinoy Big Brother’s latest edition called PBB Collab, featuring rising celebrities from ABS-CBN and GMA. Aside from the historic moment of both networks, the show has been a catalyst for housemates to open up about themselves to the public, aside from the image they project in the outside world.

It’s been a month, but so much has happened inside the house. While there’s more to come in the next few weeks until a grand duo is announced (this edition has a winner from both networks), we put a spotlight on three stories – Ashley Ortega’s relationship with her mom, Esnyr Ranollo’s relationship with his dad, and Klarisse de Guzman’s relationship with her parents before coming out in public as bisexual.

Ashley Ortega: Time Heals Wounds

At the start of the show, GMA actress Ashley Ortega shared with some of the housemates and Big Brother about her rocky relationship with her mom. She revealed that she decided to leave without permission and be independent despite going against her mom’s wishes. They did not talk for close to three years.

In one episode of the show, Ashley, nominated alongside AC Bonifacio, opened up during a task hosted by Gabbi Garcia. Speaking to her mom’s photo, she sought forgiveness and hoped her mom was watching her.

“I know I cause you so much pain kasi I know binuhos mo din yung mundo mo sa akin. I appreciate you for that. I just wanted to leave because ayoko yung habang buhay, may hatred ako sa mom ko,” she said.

“Ayoko lumaki ng lumaki yung hatred ko sa iyo mom. That’s why I choose to distance myself, to give space for myself and you so that you can focus on yourself.”

Before the eviction night, Ashley got a surprise. As her housemates read the feedback from the task, Ashley was informed that there was a letter from her mom. But it was only inside the confession room that Big Brother confirmed there was a letter for her inside a box. She read the letter and started to cry.

“Matagal na kitang pinatawad. Matagal na din akong naghihintay sa iyo,” she read the letter her mom gave.

Her mom also added that she always loved her and her siblings, that her way of disciplining them is what she believes would work, and that she does everything for them.

Days after the eviction night, Ashley reconnected with her loved ones, including her mom.

What We Can Learn From Ashley’s Story

Ashley and her mom’s story is one of many stories of moms and daughters about growing up and making decisions. Ashley’s mom believes that her method is the way she can express her love and concern for her family, sometimes too much, and she doesn’t realize she’s making Ashley uncomfortable. Parents, especially moms, should reach out, sit down, and communicate with their children.

As for Ashley, the way she sought independence may not have been the right method in her parents’ eyes but it was the only way she saw as an opportunity to free herself. Daughters may feel the burden and that they are not always important in the eyes of their parents, but always remember that parents always show their concern and love in other ways that may not be agreeable with kids.

Esnyr Ranollo: The Struggles of a Breadwinner

If Ashley had issues with her mom, it was a different story for content creator Esnyr Ranollo. Esnyr is known for his high school skits online that have become viral and relatable regardless you are a Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z. For all the funny moments on the show and his rapport with many of the housemates (fellow housemate Brent Manalo plays a fictional character of himself in some of Esnyr’s skits), Esnyr has become one of the viewer’s favorites to be part of the Final Four of the show.

But beneath the funny exterior is the struggle of a breadwinner. On his 25th day inside the house, Esnyr admitted his strained relationship with his dad. According to Esnyr, his relationship with his family, particularly his dad, got strained when there was one time he was not able to call them immediately after his commitments in Manila.

“Sobrang busy ko that time na nagmessage sila Papa sa akin,” he shared. “Kasi nga monthly nga silang nagmemesage para sa pera. Hindi ako nakapag-reply. Doon ko unang natanggap yung message ng papa ko na ‘grabe ka naman magpakasarap sa buhay mo dyan.’”

At that point, he began to cry, saying that he never asked for anything from them and that he was always giving them what they need. “Natatakot nga ako na tawagin ko sarili ko na breadwinner kasi si papa pinaramdam niya sa akin na huwag mo naman i-take credit ang lahat kasi nagwowork din kami.”

Never in his life he said that he was checked upon by his dad he said when they communicate. “Never in my life na nagging close kami. Never in my life na nakapagsabi ako ng I love you sa kanya. Never in my life na sinabihan niya ako ng I love you sa sobrang saya…walang ganun.”

PBB, he shared, was not only for him but for his family as well. After telling his housemates, he had a moment with Big Brother. He said that he hopes their relationship will be okay and to get to know him better.

“I’m hoping for the best and sobra kong mahal ang parents ko.”

Reach Out To Your Child

Esnyr has been earning from his work as a content creator, and while he has been able to help his family, there are many times he felt he was never appreciated by his parents, especially by his dad, based on his story. Not all fathers are empathic, and they are always told to be stern. But as fathers, it’s important to reach out to your child and ask how their day was.

If you feel an estrangement, why not get to know your child? While Esnyr knows his dad, he hopes to get to know him more and for his dad to know that despite his son being gay, he knows that he is still his child.

There have been ongoing debates about children being the breadwinners. Although some have taken responsibility for their families, they should not be abused by their loved ones. It’s not the task of the child to work but to study and learn to enjoy life before even stepping into the real world.

Klarisse de Guzman: Grateful For The Acceptance

Klarisse de Guzman first gained fame as a contestant on The Voice Philippines, where she was part of Lea Salonga’s team and became 1st runner-up. She also participated in Your Face Sounds Familiar, where she won in 2021.

She has performed in different ABS-CBN shows, including ASAP Natin To, where she sings alongside Jonalyn Viray and Morissette Amon. In PBB, she is known as Ate Klang, the older sister and “mom” of the housemates.

Although she’s seen as their big sister, Klarisse has always been private about her personal life. In several episodes, Klarisse shared with Big Brother about her family, notably her late dad, who gave her the recipe for the pares recipe, which they used during their Paresan challenge.

During the sharing with the housemates alongside Michelle Dee, Klarisse explained she was initially hesitant about joining PBB since her mom was undergoing dialysis. It was her mom who encouraged her to give PBB a try.

The pivotal moment came when she confirmed to the housemates that she was bisexual and that she had been in a relationship for four years with her partner, Trina. What made it heartwarming was that her parents knew about the relationship.

“Hindi alam ng public pero alam ng parents ko before my dad passed away. Alam ng mama ko and ang kasama ng mama ko ay siya,” Klarisse told them about Trina as they clapped for her.

“Ang sobra kong swerrte lang talaga kasi tanggap ako ng parents ko. Hindi ako nahirapan sa phase na iyon. Even some of my relatives, most alam. But bilang isang celebrity hindi ko pa nasasabi sa work. So I’m proud!”

Regardless of Sexuality, They Are Humans, Too!

Cliche as it may sound, love wins. Although Klarisse is fortunate that her parents have accepted her, not all parents are like that with their kids who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Whatever sexual preference they have, they are your children and were sent to you for a reason. There will be clashes with values and ways, but always remember that they are human and deserve love and respect from society.

Every Child’s Journey Is Different

The stories of Ashley, Esnyr, and Klarisse are different, just like their respective relationships with their parents. We all know parenting is never easy. But if there’s one thing parents shouldn’t forget, it is to check on their children, especially in challenging moments. There will be bumps and lessons to be learned, but to be a better parent, you have to continue to learn and support whatever path your child takes.