Paul Christian Ocampo

EXCLUSIVE: Kai Montinola shares how PBB changed her life: ‘I was just a simple girl in Cebu’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Since leaving the<em> </em><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/pbbgen112024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong>Pinoy Big Brother</strong></em></a> house as part of the Gen 11 season in 2024, Kai Montinola has slowly been making a name for herself in showbiz. The 19-year-old actress continues to pursue a career in acting and singing, starting with the release of her album, <em>Kaileidoscope,</em> last year.</p><p>The pretty Cebuana shared with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a> in an exclusive interview how joining the country’s longest reality competition changed her life.</p><p>“I always say this to everyone and anyone I talk to, especially when they know nothing about me. Regardless of them knowing me or not, I always say that PBB changed my life.  Kasi it’s true. I was just a simple girl in Cebu and I go to school every day and sing every now and then. And I decided that I would join PBB because I wanted to experience it. And I wasn’t really chasing anything bigger than that other than just going inside PBB. Doon ko na-realize na parang ang laking blessing din pala ng Pinoy Big Brother sa akin kasi ang daming nangyari. Ang daming nag-change for the better. At ang daming ding na-resolve na problema sa buhay. Kaya ako sobrang thankful sa PBB dahil nagagawa ako na yung mga gusto kong gawin. At kinikilala pa ako dahil doon. Kaya, I’m so grateful for that,” she told <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-15" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVig3VDFLSQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A15%2C%22os%22%3A9150312.899999857%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="924" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-15" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/2/exclusive-kai-montinola-reveals-her-biggest-idol-in-singing-1036" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Kai Montinola reveals her biggest idol in singing: ‘She has always been my inspiration’</strong></a></div><p>The PBB housemate who was first introduced as the  &quot;Singing Gwapa of Cebu&quot; also made her acting debut last year as part of the cast of <em>Saving Grace.</em> She also starred in her first <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong>Maalaala Mo Kaya</strong></em></a> episode with Kyle Echarri, whom she reunited with in <a href="http://roja.abs-cbn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong>Roja</strong></em></a> earlier this year.</p><p>“Working with Kyle was very easy already because I’ve worked with him for an episode for <em>Maalaala Mo Kaya</em>. Nag-workshop din kami nun before MMK. Yung parang, like a chemistry test. Just so that we have that connection as a couple on screen. And as a couple naman in<em> Roja</em>, you know, I already built a relationship with Kyle as an actor at si Olsen as a character. Kaya dini-differentiate ko lang kung paano si Ice kasi Olsen at kung paano si Haji at Lenny nung sa MMK. And hindi naman siya masyadong mahirap gawin because Olsen and Ice are very distinct characters and Kyle naman is very supportive with my acting choices. If he has suggestions, he will tell me. It’s light lang talaga to be working with Kyle and I’m so glad that I was given the opportunity to work with Kyle and the rest of the cast in <em>Roja</em>,” she said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTSZezziH8B/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A9150323.19999981%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/1/8/exclusive-kai-montinola-shares-her-experience-working-with-the-cast-of-roja-0848" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>EXCLUSIVE: Kai Montinola shares her experience working with the cast of &#x27;ROJA&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-17" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUj5-iXkr7z/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A17%2C%22os%22%3A9150332.099999905%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="927" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-17" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>This year, Kai is scheduled to perform in the recently rescheduled benefit concert <em>YUGTO: Buhay at Pag-Ibig</em> concert along with IV of Spades, Kolette Madelo, and TNT2 Duets Grand Champions Christian &amp; Arvery. The concert has yet to issue its new date, but Kai is looking forward to the chance to share the stage with talented OPM artists.</p><p>“I actually have a lot of goals. Oh my god. I have lots of goals and dreams for my career and my personal life, and as much as I want to state all of them, I will be stating just a few. Siguro, isa na dun para sa career ko is more acting projects pa talaga. Kasi, alam ko naman na baguhan ako. Pero kung masasanay ako, alam kong kaya akong gawin talaga. Kasi, kuhang-kuha ko na yung gigil ko to do more. All I need is more in order to actually perform. There are other things that I also really love to do, one is being a part of a musical play or kaya a theater play,” she shared.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-18" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOGLJGdj5eJ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A18%2C%22os%22%3A9151006.69999981%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-18" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The actress also wants to see more of the world and learn more about other cultures, aside from working on her career.</p><p>“It has always been number one on my list. And I hope, I know it will happen, but I hope that it will happen at the right time. Personally naman, I would want to travel more in my life as a 19-year-old. Gusto ko kasing mag-travel around the world to see different cultures and different people,” she added. </p>

<p>Former Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 housemate Kai Montinola talks to PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview about how much of a blessing joining the country's longest-running reality show has been.</p>

Former Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 housemate Kai Montinola talks to PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview about how much of a blessing joining the country's longest-running reality show has been.