Arzen Rose Dulzura

From ‘unchosen’ to Ultimate 8: Ashley Sarmiento’s sweet journey on “PBB Collab 2.0”

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771992249706NEW THUMB (93).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Can you still remember the first time Miguel Vergara walked into the “PBB” house flashing that chinito smile? As days turned into months, Miguel made audiences swoon not only with his charm but with his soft-hearted &#x27;nice guy&#x27; persona.</p><p>His journey in &quot;<a href="http://pbb.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0</u></strong></a>&quot; became a testament to how Gen Zs can remain gentlemen—allowing his heart to serve as his talisman through every challenge, while still staying capable and efficient when it mattered most.</p><p>With only a few days left before the Big Night, the &#x27;sepanx&#x27; is getting real. So before the season officially closes its doors, here’s a recap of how Miguel’s best moments and how he made his way to the Ultimate 8.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Leading the &#x27;Adorable Taskmashers&#x27; to first immunity win</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>One of the biggest plot twists this season was the shift to group formations every two weeks, replacing the duos format from the first “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/pinoy-big-brother-collab"><strong><u>PBB Collab</u></strong></a>.” In the very first group formation task, the challenge was divided into five rounds and the housemates who topped every round were declared leaders. Miguel ended up being the fifth captain, so he was the last to pick his members, which meant Ashley Sarmiento, Eliza Borromeo, and Lee Victor—those who hadn’t been selected yet—became part of his team.</p><p>At first glance, from the viewers&#x27; POV, the group “Adorable Taskmashers” (yes, inspired by leader Miguel’s moniker, “Adorable Smasher”) looked like the underdogs. Fans felt bad for them, thinking they were the &quot;mga hindi pinili&quot; or the unchosen crew.</p><p>But the team proved they’re more than just background characters. Under Miguel&#x27;s leadership, they won the LigTask challenge and secured immunity from the first nomination.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cMyZBqZRtks" title="Day 16: Miguel, Eliza, Ashley, Lee, ligtas sa unang nomination | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Growing through a &#x27;love story&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>It can&#x27;t be denied that a huge part of his journey inside Bahay ni Kuya revolved around matters of the heart, particularly his complicated “love story” with fellow Kapamilya housemate Eliza Borromeo. Teenage feelings can be messy and overwhelming, and at first, he appeared unsure of how to navigate his emotions. Mixed signals happened because he himself was still trying to understand his own heart.</p><p>Over time, though, Miguel learned to process his feelings more thoughtfully. He communicated better and reflected more often. The same boy who once seemed confused developed self-awareness and revealed an admirable level of maturity.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OIS2J6jUxfY" title="Day 99: Eliza at Miguel, may pangako sa isa&#x27;t isa | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Being voted &#x27;Pinakamabuti&#x27; and winning the &#x27;Gift of Immunity&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Miguel captured the admiration of his fellow housemates and the outside world through his innate kindness. That’s exactly why he was among the four Kapamilya housemates voted by the majority as “pinakamabuti.” The reward was a shot at the &quot;Gift of Immunity,&quot; which he actually won through an endurance test, saving him from the fourth nomination.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T0UrMSdRxQc" title="Day 58: Miguel wins Kapamilya immunity after intense endurance test | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Choosing sacrifice</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In the final stretch of his journey, Miguel showed the depth of his heart and generosity by making a major sacrifice for Ashley, Lella Ford, Caprice Cayetano, and Krystal Mejes—the first four Ultimate 8 housemates assigned to stay on the Ultimate Eye platforms that week.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p89yD7FIwOY" title="Day 116: Miguel, nakumpleto ang 400 laps para sa pagkain ng mga nasa Ultimate Eye | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>He scooped pool water with a spoon in exchange for clean water for them and relinquished his own comfort by sleeping in the garden area so they could have proper bedding. He even ran 400 laps around the pool, which was equivalent to four plates of food, just to make sure the four girls were fed.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Finding his Ultimate 8 spot through the &#x27;taumbayan&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Miguel may have fallen short of securing a Big Ticket to the first Big Jump, nor did he win the second and final Big Jump challenge. But it was the love and support of the public that carried him to the Ultimate 8. On the final eviction night, Miguel topped the final tally among the three remaining Kapamilya housemates, earning 38.42% of the total public votes.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SSyLLz4zdkk" title="Day 120: Heath at Miguel, pasok na sa Ultimate 8! | PBB Collab 2.0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Is Miguel your pick for Kapamilya Big Winner? Cheer him on at the Big Night this 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>Here's a recap of Miguel Vergara’s journey in "PBB Collab 2.0," from winning immunity tasks to earning an Ultimate 8 spot through public support.</p>

Here's a recap of Miguel Vergara’s journey in "PBB Collab 2.0," from winning immunity tasks to earning an Ultimate 8 spot through public support.

How Miguel Vergara ‘smashed’ his way to the “PBB Collab 2.0” Ultimate 8

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How Miguel Vergara ‘smashed’ his way to the “PBB Collab 2.0” Ultimate 8

Liezel Dela Cruz

Published February 24, 2026 03:53 PM PHT

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Updated February 25, 2026 12:04 PM PHT

Read More:

Miguel Vergara

PBB Collab 2.0 Ultimate 8

Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0

PBB Collab 2.0

PBB Collab 2.0 Big Night

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