Bianca de Vera, Dustin Yu go back to square one after 'PBB' stint

Bianca de Vera. Ganiel Krishnan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Just days after stepping outside Kuya’s house, former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate Bianca de Vera admits she and fellow housemate Dustin Yu are taking things slow getting to know each other again -- just like how it all started on Day One.

“Connection is still there,” de Vera shared in an interview. “Pero it’s like bumalik lang talaga kami sa simula. It’s a very refreshing feeling. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya na parang ang sarap sa feeling na makilala siya ulit.” 

Despite the natural closeness they developed inside the house, the young actress emphasized they’re focusing on nurturing their bond in the outside world, saying, “Mag-duo pa rin kami we're there for each other. I mean, 'yung laban naman, hindi naman siya nagtatapos sa loob ng bahay. Siyempre, we have a lot to face outside."

"I mean, we can't deny the fact rin naman na we can't please everybody," she added. "And I feel like out of all the people inside the house, siya 'yung pinakamakakaintindi sa akin. Now that we're in this next chapter of our lives, of our careers.

"So, it's nice to have someone to lean on up until the outside world.”

After more than 100 days inside the Pinoy Big Brother House, de Vera is still adjusting to life outside. “I’m overwhelmed with so much emotions. Honestly, hindi pa ako nakakapag-adjust fully,” she said. “Pero I’m very, very excited.”

Returning home felt strange yet comforting. De Vera recalled missing the daily moments with housemates and the presence of Kuya. “Sobrang nami-miss ko lang talaga si Kuya… and being able to say goodnight to them,” she said.

Outside the house, de Vera was surprised by the overwhelming love and support from fans.

“Inside, I really thought na wala nagmamahal sa akin. Na akala ko completely sa labas na ma-judge ako ng sobra sobra. Pero when I came out, nakita ko na maraming nagmamahal nakakataba talaga ng puso,” she said, also expressing gratitude for the fanbase that’s now fondly shipping her and Yu as “DustBia.”

She clarified that their bond wasn’t planned for a love team: “It really wasn't part of the plan. In fact, I really, I was trying to avoid it. Pero wala, nangyari 'yung nangyari. And I think the best we can do right now is to maintain the friendship that we built inside the house. Panindigan 'yun.”

De Vera also revealed that her time in "PBB" helped her heal from past struggles. “Lagi ko pong sinasabi na malaki po talaga 'yung utang na loob ko kay Kuya sa 'PBB' because before coming in, I was really lost and I was really broken and during my whole journey naman talaga, I really admit na hindi po ako perfect and 'yung housemates ko and 'yung taong bayan naging parte po talaga sila sa journey ng pagkahanap sa sarili ko. So, I can't say na ngayon perfect ako but as what Xyriel (Manabat) always says, I'm healing and that's something that I'm very very proud of and I'll forever eternally be grateful for,” she said.

As for working with Yu in the future, she teased, “We’re both excited to see what’s in store,” without confirming any official projects just yet.

Bianca also mentioned the valuable lessons she learned as a "PBB" housemate. “I really learned how to love all of my strengths just as much as I loved all of my weaknesses. Natutunan kong mahalin talaga 'yung sarili ko at natutunan kong i-acknowledge na okay lang maging mahina because acknowledging that doesn't necessarily make you weak but makes you stronger as a person,” she said.

When asked who she thinks deserves to win this season of "PBB," de Vera candidly said, “Kung nasan si Mika (Salamanca), nandoon ang big winner ko.”