Flonique Guimary

Brent Manalo opens up about growing up with OFW parents

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition Big Winner Brent Manalo opened up about his life as the eldest child in a family where both parents worked abroad.In an interview with MJ Felipe on TFC’s Are You G?, Brent shared that both of his parents are seafarers based in the United States.&quot;&#x27;Yung parents ko were always abroad kasi sa US sila nagta-trabaho, seaman sila pareho. Dahil sa barko sila, palipat-lipat ng State pero &#x27;yung pinaka-base nila Miami,&quot; he shared.The PBB housemate admitted that growing up without his parents physically present was tough, especially as the eldest sibling. &quot;Siyempre sobrang hirap especially I am the eldest so parang kumabaga naging second parent ako ng mga younger siblings ko,&quot; he relayed.Brent went on: &quot;Lumaki ako sa lola, sa mga helpers, sa mga kasama sa bahay. Kaya &#x27;yun parang at an early age parang kailangan ko talaga maging responsible para sa kanila.&quot;<div><iframe width="670" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VXhfKPmcvIo" title="Brent Manalo Proves Quiet Wins Loud | ARE YOU G? S1 | August 4, 2025 | EP 21" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>He also revealed that being reserved was his way of coping with the situation. &quot;Tingin ko &#x27;yung naging pagco-cope ko na lang is sinasarili ko kaya gradually naging tahimik ako, tumaas &#x27;yung walls ko,&quot; he said.Despite the physical distance, Brent said his parents never made him feel unsupported.&quot;Never naman nilang pinaramdam sa akin &#x27;yung pagkukulang eh kaya rin siguro never akong nagkaroon ng sama ng loob and sa lahat ng decision ko sa buhay... talagang support all the way,&quot; he highlighted.  Even when he entered the entertainment industry, the actor said his parents were behind him through and through. &quot;Even itong pagpasok ko sa showbiz, wala akong narinig sa kanila kasi siyempre naka-graduate ako ng college and usually hindi naman &#x27;to &#x27;yung usual route na &#x27;pag nakakuha ng degree,&quot; he said.Bret and his duo partner Mika Salamanca were hailed last July as the first-ever Big Winner Duo of Pinoy Big Brother.&quot;Hindi po sapat ang salitang masaya at mahal ko kayo at salamat dahil hindi po nu’n ma-e-explain ang nararamdaman ko ngayon,&quot; Mika shared during her winning speech at the Big Night.  Brent added: &quot;Basta puso ang panlaban, anything is possible.&quot;As Big Winners, Brent and Mika each received ₱1 million.