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Whatever happened to Pinoy Big Brother’s first housemates?

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<p>They may have different careers right now but one thing is for certain, the lessons they have learned inside the <em>Big Brother </em>house remains in their hearts. </p><p>How has Kuya’s first housemates fared outside his abode after 13 years? PUSH reminisces our first experience of <em>PBB</em> and tracks down the former housemates’ whereabouts. </p><div><big><strong>1. Nene Tamayo</strong></big></div><p>When she emerged as <em>PBB</em>’s first ever Big Winner, Nene said she had no intentions of pursuing show business fulltime. ‘Commander Nene’ as she was known on the show however found a niche as a dancing diva on ABS-CBN’s defunct dance show U Can Dance. Nene eventually married her dance partner on the show Anthony Plamio. They have a son named Antonio.</p><p>Currently, Nene owns Nene Prime Foods, a bottled-food business. Among the products she sells are Pickled Chili, Eight-spiced Tuyo and Spanish-style Bangus Sardines. </p><div><big><strong>2. Jayson Gainza</strong></big></div><p>Jayson was a construction worker/waiter when he auditioned for the first season of <em>PBB</em>. After landing in second place, Jason’s sense of humor inside the house did not go unnoticed and he eventually became a comedian. He is now known for his impersonations of King of Talk Boy Abunda and of Push Now Na host Darla Sauler. A <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/bananasundae" target="_blank"><em><u><strong>Banana Sundae</strong></u></em></a> mainstay, he also became part of shows like <em>Funny Ka Pare Ko</em>, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano" target="_blank"><em><u><strong>FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</strong></u></em></a>, and <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asoldiersheart" target="_blank"><em><u><strong>A Soldier’s Heart.</strong></u></em></a></p><div> </div><div><big><strong>3. Franzen Fajardo </strong></big></div><p>Franzen is best remembered as one of Kuya’s “pasaway“ housemates in Season 1. Although he was forced evicted, his and Jason’s antics on the show were surely unforgettable. </p><p>Franzen tried his luck in showbiz but eventually returned to his original job as a salesman. In a Bandila feature, he is reported to be in the buying and selling business in Singapore.  </p><div><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018-august/082318/082318-pbb03.jpg"/></div><div><big><strong>4. Uma Khouny</strong></big></div><p>Half-Israeli and half-Filipino, Uma was known as the straightforward housemate of Season 1 as he is blunt and says whatever is on his mind. </p><p>Uma tried his hand at hosting travel show <em>Trip Na Trip</em> after <em>Pinoy Big Brother</em>. He is now living in New York and managing his coffee business. His Instagram posts show that he has been traveling around the world.</p><div><big><strong>5. Cass Ponti</strong></big></div><p>Cass, who hailed from Davao, was the first season’s third Big Placer. Known for being a morena beauty and the cook of the house, she was very close to Uma.</p><p>After her stint inside the<em> PBB</em> house, Cass became a sexy actress and was even the cover girl of Maxim’s October 2006 issue.  </p><p>Now a happy wife and mom of two kids, Cass has become an entrepreneur. According to her Instagram page, she is a local and imported fruits wholesaler and retailer, and they have a trucking services business.</p><div><big><strong>6. Say Alonzo</strong></big></div><p>The resident <em>‘kikay’</em> of the first batch of <em>PBB </em>housemates, her duet with Sam Milby, “<em>Magmahal Muli,</em>” topped the charts in 2005.</p><p>Say became an actress-host after her stint inside the <em>PBB</em> house. In 2011, she bowed out of the limelight and married Ryan Tordesillas. She is now a business woman and hands-on mom to her baby boys Asher and Austin. She also actively updates her fans through her social media pages.</p><div><strong>7. Chx Alcala</strong></div><p><em>PBB</em> Season 1’s “wild girl,” Chx was controversial after she shared a kiss with heartthrob Sam Milby on the show. </p><p>She is now a freelance events host and talent director. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmZ8bA0jwUe/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:50% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><div style="margin:8px 0 0 0;padding:0 4px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmZ8bA0jwUe/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color:#000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none;word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">One of my favorite craziest trip! #takemeback #thailand #tiger #tigress #bigcats #cats #travel #travelgram #trip #memories #selfies #crazycatlady #funtimes</a></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chxalcala/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px" target="_blank"> ���</a> (@chxalcala) on <time dateTime="2018-08-13T04:18:13+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Aug 12, 2018 at 9:18pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><div><script async="" defer="" src="~//www.instagram.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><big><strong>8. Rico Barrera</strong></big></div><p>Although he was the first evictee of the first season, Rico has remained visible in the world of showbiz. Aside from being an actor, Rico is also a model and businessman. He filmed an indie movie with Matteo Guidicelli and Bangs Garcia in 2015.</p><p>According to his Instagram page, he is the first celebrity millionaire of multi-level marketing company Frontrow International.</p><div><big><strong>9. Sam Milby</strong></big></div><p>When Sam Milby became part of <em>PBB</em> Season 1, the girl housemates definitely swooned. The Fil-Am model not only captured the hearts of those inside the house but of the viewers as well. After his stint on <em>PBB</em>, Sam became one of ABS-CBN’s top actors. He has also landed recording deals. Currently, he is one of the lead stars of ABS-CBN’s upcoming TV series <em>Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin</em>. Likewise, he stars in the new <a href="https://iwant.ph" target="_blank"><em><u><strong>iWant</strong></u></em></a> Original series titled The Tapes.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq1jcPYhwMV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"> </div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"> </div><div 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style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"> </div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"> </div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"> </div></div></div><div style="margin:8px 0 0 0;padding:0 4px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq1jcPYhwMV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none;word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">Papuntang Tarlac na si Ace... Happy Saturday everyone! (📸 - @joshenvahnlee )</a></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samuelmilby/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Sam Milby</a> (@samuelmilby) on <time dateTime="2018-12-01T07:44:14+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Nov 30, 2018 at 11:44pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async="" src="~//www.instagram.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div><big><strong>10. Jenny Suico</strong></big></div><p>Jenny was the first housemate that made a voluntary exit because of her sick father. She was also part of <em>Big Brother’s Big</em> Switch and was able to return back inside the house.</p><p>Jenny is now happily married and is staying in the US with her husband. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEZVPBmqyoS/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:50.0% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEZVPBmqyoS/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Mitchjenny (@jensuicogarcia)</a> on <time dateTime="2016-04-19T20:48:23+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Apr 19, 2016 at 1:48pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="~//www.instagram.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div> </div><div> </div><div><big><strong>11. JB Magsaysay</strong></big></div><p>One of the heartthrobs on the show, JB was paired with Say and the eventually became a couple. The romance was short-lived however, a case of what PBB fans now call “PBB Love.”</p><p>JB ventured into acting after his stay inside the PBB House. He eventually got into politics, following his family’s heritage and is currently the barangay captain of San Juan, La Union. </p><p>He has also married actress Coleen Garcia’s mother Maripaz in 2012. </p><div><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018-august/082318/082318-pbb01.jpg"/><br/> </div><div><big><strong>12. Racquel Reyes</strong></big></div><p>Known for her motherly traits in the first season, Racquel remained true to her calling as a teacher. A proud survivor of 4 strokes, Racquel is still teaching in a school in Trapiche, Batangas. </p><div><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018-august/082318/082318-pbb02.jpg"/><br/> <br/><big><strong>13. Bob Dela Cruz</strong></big></div><p>Dubbed as the aspiring politician in the batch, Bob pursued his aspirations to hold public office after leaving the Big Brother house. </p><p>He is currently the first councilor of Marilao, Bulacan and is serving his third term.</p><p>Bob has also started his own YouTube channel.</p><div> </div>

The very first season of Pinoy Big Brother opened in 2005. Fast forward to several years later, how did Kuya’s first housemates fare outside his abode?