Arzen Rose Dulzura

Wishful Waray: How Krystal Mejes bounced back to secure an Ultimate 8 spot on “PBB Collab 2.0”

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771991931605NEW THUMB (91).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>When news broke that Krystal Mejes would be joining “<a href="http://pbb.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0</u></strong></a>,” longtime fans knew this season was going to be good because she was in it. After all, she had already made a name for herself as a child star with serious acting chops. </p><p>Yet within the walls of Bahay Ni Kuya, audiences encountered a different facet of Krystal—a young woman brave and wise beyond her years. From her calm but firm words during conflict to the way she stood by her friends, she proved that maturity isn’t just measured by age, but by substance.  </p><p>As the Big Night approaches, let’s look back at her stellar moments throughout her “PBB” journey. </p><div> </div><div><strong>First Group Formation: Leader </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>After the housemates went through their first group formation task, the top performers were appointed as leaders—and among them was Krystal.  </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HZ4NtYZHAYI" title="Day 9: Kilalanin ang leaders sa unang group formation | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>At just 17, the ‘Wishful Waray ng Samar’ knew how to assess people beyond the surface-level. Building a team with both muscles and heart, Krystal picked three male housemates as her members—Iñigo Jose whom she described as analytical, physically capable and compassionate; Marco Masa, who, in her eyes, was intelligent, rational and dependable; and John Clifford whom she picked for his authenticity, strength and beautiful ideas. They named their group &quot;Soaring Langga&quot; and were later on marked safe during the first nomination.  </p><div> </div><div><strong>&#x27;Tres Marias&#x27; Core </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Krystal also revealed the depth of her heart through the friendships she nurtured in the house. Among the most memorable chapters of her journey was her bond with Eliza Borromeo and Carmelle Collado. Netizens dubbed their trio as the “Tres Marias.” </p><p>Their closeness, however, invited scrutiny. During a face-to-face nomination, they were called out for appearing confined within their own mini-bubble and distancing themselves from the rest of the housemates. Krystal met the negative comments with composure. Acknowledging the validity of the feedback, she encouraged her friends to be more open and intentional in reaching out to others.  </p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/11/24/carmelle-eliza-and-krystal-s-dynamic-flagged-in-face-to-face-nomination-on-pbb-collab-2-0-1139"><strong><u>READ: Carmelle, Eliza, and Krystal’s dynamic flagged in face-to-face nomination on “PBB Collab 2.0”</u></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>Calling out the boys&#x27; inappropriate jokes </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>One of the clearest expressions of her loyalty to friends was when she addressed the boys’ inappropriate jokes toward Carmelle. Composed yet direct, she confronted the male housemates involved and articulated why such comments were unacceptable. What made it more admirable was how she spoke from a place of care, and not hostility. </p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/12/10/we-are-disgusted-carmelle-and-krystal-call-out-the-boys-for-inappropriate-jokes-on-pbb-collab-2-0-0837"><strong><u>READ: &#x27;We are disgusted&#x27;: Carmelle and Krystal call out the boys for inappropriate jokes on &#x27;PBB Collab 2.0&#x27;</u></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>&#x27;Pinakamabuti&#x27; Recognition </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Little by little, the housemates saw Krystal&#x27;s kindness more. She was voted as one of the four “pinakamabuti” housemates in the Kapamilya bracket, alongside Race Victoria, Miguel Vergara, and Lella Ford. </p><p>As part of the “pinakamabuti,” they were given the opportunity to compete for the “gift of immunity” for the fourth nomination. Although Krystal fell short of securing the reward, the moment still felt like a victory in its own right. Being recognized by her fellow housemates for her goodness meant more than the advantage itself. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NK0KxumcuKU" title="Day 53: Kilalanin ang mga pinakamabuting Kapamilya housemate | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>Tagged as &#x27;Pinakamahina&#x27; </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>If her journey started strong, Krystal seemingly became less visible in the game as the months stretched. During Week 13’s back-to-back immunity tasks between the Solid Six and Striving Feathers (her group), the opponents picked her as the weakest link of her team. </p><p>For a special round in the first LigTask of the week, she went head-to-head with Sofia Pablo, who was also voted the &quot;pinakamahina&quot; in Solid Six. Krystal acknowledged that physical tasks were not her strength and accepted the vote with humility, even as she admitted it hurt. </p><p>“Part of me got hurt na hindi po ako kasinggaling ng mga kagrupo o mga kalaban ko,” she said. “But hindi pa rin talaga ako napanghinaan ng loob.” </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0r2rTZTD_M" title="Day 88: Krystal at Sofia, napiling pinakamahinang housemates | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>Zero Votes as Karapat-dapat </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Another setback followed when she received zero votes, meaning no one chose her as “karapat-dapat” or worthy to receive a Big Ticket for the first Big Jump, which would determine the initial set of Ultimate 8 housemates. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bUpYiaKNt4Y" title="Day 102: Ang resulta ng botohan para sa Kapamilya Big Ticket | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Krystal didn’t expect anyone to vote for her, knowing that many of her fellow housemates excelled in areas where she thinks she fell short. Rather than dwell on the disappointment, she chose to anchor herself in faith. “Tiwala lang po talaga ako, Kuya, na if I&#x27;m meant to make it until the end, God will always make a way,” she reflected. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Making it to the Ultimate 8  </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>And in time, her faith bore fruit. Two weeks before the Big Night, Krystal mounted a strong comeback when she won the second Big Jump and secured her place in the Ultimate 8. </p><p>She went head-to-head with Joaquin Arce and Miguel Vergara in the task, where they had to balance the blocks they had gathered from a previous challenge on a wooden, eye-shaped board bearing their personal resolution words. Each of them had to hold the board with their hands while carefully stacking the blocks, testing both endurance and focus. </p><p>With extra blocks handed to her by Carmelle, who was unable to compete after landing in the bottom, Krystal gained the advantage she needed to outlast the boys and emerge as the last woman standing in the game.  </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DtVqYhgsIjc" title="Day 114: Krystal, pasok na sa Big Night ng PBB Collab 2.0! | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Housemate Krystal rose with promise, lost momentum midway, and climbed again with renewed strength. And in many ways, that capacity to endure a low and emerge stronger may be among the most beautiful qualities of a Big Winner. </p><p>Is Krystal your Kapamilya Big Winner? Show her your love and support at the Big Night on February 28. </p><p>Catch the remaining episodes of &quot;<a href="http://pbb.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>PBB Collab 2.0</u></strong></a>,&quot; available online via livestream on the PBB YouTube Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>.</p>

<p>From being labeled “pinakamahina” to clinching a Big Jump victory, let's look back at Krystal Mejes' "PBB Collab 2.0" journey.</p>

From being labeled “pinakamahina” to clinching a Big Jump victory, let's look back at Krystal Mejes' "PBB Collab 2.0" journey.