Anna Marie Lukban

A dreamer’s rise to the Ultimate 8: Joaquin Arce’s “PBB Collab 2.0” journey

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772083973505A-dreamer’s-rise-to-the-Ultimate-8-Joaquin-Arce’s-“PBB-Collab-2.0”-journey.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>It’s not all sunshine and roses joining a reality show like <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/pinoy-big-brother-collab-v2"><strong><u>“Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0”</u></strong></a> when people have already written a narrative for you. Before he could even adjust to the housemate life, Joaquin Arce had already been labeled names, such as &quot;a child born into privilege.&quot; </p><p>Joaquin showed determination to rise above the negative assumptions and prove that he could carve his own path—through resilience and a willingness to learn and polish the parts of his character that needed growth.</p><p>Throughout his “PBB” stint, the &#x27;Rising Dreamer ng Muntinlupa&#x27; worked hard in every task and made the most of the experience, balancing fun with responsibility and accountability. Here’s a look back at the journey that brought him to the Ultimate 8 platform.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Facing criticism in hot seat</strong></div><p>In the very recent February 25 episode of “PBB Collab 2.0,” Joaquin faced the public and the ex-housemates’ scrutinizing questions in the “Ultimate Tapatan” round. One of the issues thrown at him was the allegation that he earned his spot in the Ultimate 8 because of the influence of his parents—his dad, filmmaker Joaquin Arce, and his stepmom, Angel Locsin.</p><p>He confronted the question head-on and explained that he told his family not to spend money voting for him on “PBB” and that he has never used Angel’s name to advance his dream of becoming an actor.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQRgIizITI8" title="Day 124: Joaquin, sinagot ang maiinit na tanong tungkol kay Lella at &quot;nepo baby&quot; | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>Listening as strength</strong></div><p>Besides carving his own imprint, the Star Magic artist also demonstrated how to turn limitations into strength. A highlight in his &quot;PBB&quot; arc was getting picked by Marco Masa to be part of a live drama presentation centered on Marco&#x27;s life with his brother who has Down syndrome, as it gave Joaquin the space and courage to open up about his own “disability.”</p><p>Joaquin appreciated being chosen since the story hits close to home. He was born deaf in his right ear, but says he never grew up feeling sad about it because his parents didn’t treat him as fragile or less capable. With their support and encouragement, he learned to look at his hearing disability as a strength that taught him to pay closer attention to people and to really listen.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/817KLcAL17o" title="Day 32: Joaquin, ikinuwento ang kaniyang kapansanan | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>The open forum</strong></div><p>And listen he did. Joaquin made sure to hear his co-housemates out even when the feedback was uncomfortable. At one point, he initiated an open forum so they could share their concerns about him, after learning that his strong personality was coming across as intimidating or even rude to his companions. Joaquin apologized and thanked them for their honest opinion, which he knew would help him improve. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w4NF5ddKNLo" title="Day 80: Joaquin leads an open forum with the housemates | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>Twice in the Big Jump</strong></div><p>The 18-year-old dreamer exhibited strength and strategy in both physical and mental activities as well. In fact, he was the one from the Kapamilya group to secure a Big Ticket to the first Big Jump, the deciding challenge that determined the first four Ultimate 8 members. The Big Ticket task was a memory game which required the housemates to memorize the exact sequence of objects flashed briefly on a plasma screen, then recreate the arrangement on a divider. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sMG-BVDPscc" title="Day 103: Joaquin wins Kapamilya Big Ticket to battle Lella in Big Jump Challenge | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>He went head-to-head with his close friend Lella Ford (who earned her ticket through the housemates’ votes) in the first Big Jump. However, in the end, Lella emerged victorious and was declared the first Kapamilya Big 4 member.</p><p>Still, Joaquin’s resolve did not waver. He qualified once more for the second Big Jump challenge, this time facing Miguel Vergara and Krystal Mejes in an endurance task where they had to balance the blocks they had gathered from the qualifying round onto a wooden board. Krystal prevailed and secured her place as the second Kapamilya Big 4. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AKyWInrl6Oc" title="Day 114: Joaquin, Krystal, Miguel, nagtapat sa 2nd Kapmilya Big Jump! | PBB Collab2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Though he fell short in both rounds, Joaquin proved he could compete at the highest level and accept defeat without losing drive. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Rising into the Ultimate 8</strong></div><p>He kept his eye on his goal to make it to the Ultimate 8, but at that point, the only thing left to do was to trust fate and the taumbayan.</p><p>On the final eviction night, he battled Miguel Vergara and Carmelle Collado for the final two Kapamilya Big 4 spots, which were decided through public votes. Joaquin ranked second with 36.85%, securing his place in the Ultimate 8.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fChxY-OMHGs" title="Day 120: Princess at Joaquin, kinumpleto ang listahan ng Ultimate 8 | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Is Joaquin your pick for Kapamilya Big Winner? Cheer him on at the Big Night this February 28.</p><p>Catch the remaining episodes of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/pinoy-big-brother-collab-v2"><strong><u>&quot;PBB Collab 2.0,&quot;</u></strong></a> available online via livestream on the PBB YouTube Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and<a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u> iWant.</u></strong></a></p>

<p>Here's closer look at how Joaquin Arce earned his Ultimate 8 spot on "PBB Collab 2.0."</p>

Here's closer look at how Joaquin Arce earned his Ultimate 8 spot on "PBB Collab 2.0."