# Controversies surrounding Pinoy Big Brother

Filipino television series Pinoy Big Brother received criticism from the Filipino public and news media. Organizations including Big Brother franchise owner Endemol and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board investigated the show.

## Season 1

When the show was met with criticism for outfits worn by female contestants and "objectionable dialogue," Melissa Laguardia, Chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), met with ABS-CBN executives and discussed how “to make [the show] more wholesome.” ABS-CBN promised to make an "improved" show more suitable for younger audiences. As a result, each episode begins with a warning reminding viewers that some scenes in the show are not suitable for younger audiences. Some broadcast scenes were determined to be beyond the parental guidance rating given by the Board, which caused MTRCB to suspend the program for one episode. The program was not aired on September 25, 2005, the day after the 2nd eviction night.
Franzen Fajardo created controversy when he violated Big Brother's rules, including mouthing words to fellow housemate Cassandra Ponti. Show producers and consultants from Endemol deliberated over this, resulting in a decision to evict Fajardo on Day 86. However, Ponti offered to voluntarily exit to keep Fajardo inside; Big Brother considered her offer and let the public choose Fajardo's fate. The next day, voting stopped and Fajardo's eviction was finalized after he violated the rules again by discussing his last chat with Big Brother inside the confession room with fellow housemate Jason Gainza. He left the house on Day 91.
Around September 2005, rumors circulated through email claiming that Uma Khouny, Cassandra Ponti, and Sam Milby were hired by the show without auditioning. Khouny stated in one episode that he made the cut for the show through the assistance of network official Linggit Tan. In response, the show aired footage showing that the three had auditioned. The existence of the "Youth Alliance of the Philippines," which created the email, was never confirmed.
Khouny and Milby were fined by the Department of Labor and Employment for participating in the show without a valid work permit. Fines of PHP 10,000 and PHP 40,000 were respectively meted on Khouny, a Filipino-Israeli, and Milby, a Filipino-American.
"Pinoy Ako", the theme song for season 1, was claimed to be plagiarized from the song "Chandeliers" by 1980s British band Care. Jonathan Manalo, a member of Orange and Lemons and the song's composer, asserted that any similarity was unintentional.

## Celebrity Edition 1

The show was supposed to be launched on February 4, 2006, but management postponed it by one day because of the fallout following the Wowowee ULTRA stampede. The incident led host Willie Revillame to resign; Luis Manzano took over his spot.
On Day 12, Angela Calina voluntarily exited when she received news that her apartment in Cebu had been burglarized. She left the game to attend to her daughter, whom she knew was in danger. As a result, voting that week was suspended.
On February 21, 2006, Gretchen Malalad left the house after Big Brother allowed her to report to her superiors in the Philippine Air Force, where she held the rank of airwoman second-class, to face a summary investigation about going AWOL. He did this with the proviso that she not talk to anyone except those who were investigating her and she must return to the house within 24 hours. She returned after the Air Force officially authorized her to continue her stint.
For the first time in Philippine television history, housemate Rustom Padilla came out to fellow housemate Keanna Reeves. This event was featured in Big Brother UK's Big Brother Around the World, a show that highlighted notable events from foreign editions of the franchise. It was aired before Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.

## Teen Edition 1

Since the show started, Aldred Gatchalian had a difficult time adjusting to the environment and housemates and never resolved his problems, resolving to make his voluntary exit on Day 7. Two days later, new housemate Joaqui Mendoza took his place. It was widely speculated before he left that Aldred was underaged. However, in his first interview a week after his exit, he stated that he left because of homesickness and the pressure to fit in.

## Season 2

Film director Jose Javier Reyes, who previously was one of the jurors in Pinoy Dream Academy, lambasted the program, stating the show wanted to bring "everyone who had a face and a body." Reyes added that the program was a boot camp for Philippines' Next Top Model, exhibited disturbing behavior from certain housemates, and described the challenges as "meaningless". He concluded that the ordeal was an audition for a new Star Cinema film or for an episode of the Maalaala Mo Kaya drama series. In reaction, show director Laurenti Dyogi defended the program by giving clarifying that housemates actually learn something, citing Nel Rapiz' atonement of not urinating in a public place again. But Dyogi admitted that there is no way to please everyone, especially on their sensibilities. In fact, Dyogi divulged that Reyes had already told ABS-CBN about his article.
In a March 22, 2007, memorandum, MTRCB took the network to task for airing the "naughty actions" of Dionne Monsanto. Board chairman Consoliza Laguardia said Dionne "inserted her hands in the underwear" of Ezekiel Dimaguila in the March 20, 2007, episode, with the show management invited to a meeting on March 27, 2007, at the board's office in Quezon City. As a result of the hearing, director Laurenti Dyogi, stated in a letter that the network would issue an apology to viewers who may have been offended by Dionne's behavior and would keep tabs on her. Show host Toni Gonzaga apologized on behalf of the management on the episode aired a few hours after the meeting. Big Brother also ordered Dionne to stay away from Dimaguila from March 28 to March 31.
On Day 63, Bea Saw and Maricris Dizon were caught in a heated argument after the latter suspected the former's feelings for fellow housemate Nel Rapiz. Bea denied any accusations. Maricris, not content with her answers, made threatening remarks. The two did not end their conversation well and the following day, Dizon was ejected after making threatening remarks.
Pinoy Big Brother and Big Brother Slovenia agreed on a swap where their respective housemates, Bruce Quebral and Tina Semolič, were to participate. While Tina left the Philippines, Bruce was the topic of discrimination by Slovenian housemates Miha and Pero. Their inappropriate remarks upset housemates and the audience. Pero was forcibly evicted, including holding a knife in a threatening manner, and Miha was automatically nominated for the fifth eviction round.
Days' after Nel Rapiz's eviction on June 23, 2007, an e-mail from an "MA Masscom graduate" who claimed to work for the show as a "conceptualizer" surfaced. The author, who was said to be involved in the voting procedure, divulged that on the night in question, Wendy Valdez was in fact the lowest vote-earner, but she was not evicted because "administrators" wanted her relationship with Bruce Quebral "to give it one last shot." The author allegedly helped in handling the auditions by determining the fates of each housemate with assistance from "talent auditors". The show production team denounced the claims, stating that no conceptualizers and talent auditors exist in the show since the show's concept was created where the franchise originated. Furthermore, no conceptualizer was involved in the screening process, which selected the Top 30 candidates, not the Top 100 as the e-mail claimed. The staff stated that vote tabulation was done electronically and was closely monitored by a third-party accounting firm voting. In fact, they stated that Nel and Bruce were really the lowest vote earners and the trend did not change when Bruce was evicted three days after Nel. Furthermore, the e-mail referred to show director Laurenti Dyogi as "Direk Dyogi," not "Direk Lauren" or "LMD," as those who are involved in the show call him.
While these rumors and criticisms persisted, Wendy eventually reached the final four which further sparked speculations of conspiracy and put final voting results questionable. Consequently, she ended up in third place instead.

## Celebrity Edition 2

There had been early reports that Ethel Booba wanted to back out days before the launch. She said that she might not be psychologically fit for the show. On Day 4, after much persuasion, she went in. However, she would complain about the nature of the show. until she left the house along with Mcoy Fundales on Day 40. However, on Day 56, she expresses her willingness to return. Her plea was granted on Day 59 but only as a houseguest. She exited the House on Day 77.
The housemates were assigned to create a 15-minute video as part of their sixth weekly task. Unfortunately, Big Brother accused Mcoy Fundales of plagiarism because of the script he made that was similar to The Ghost of August Mayford by Troy Taylor. Fundales stated that the script was original. After much pressure about the issue, he left the house on Day 40 together with Ethel Booba. During the Über broadcast the next day, Big Brother apologized for any misunderstanding from the incident. Laurenti Dyogi, the show's director, stated that Big Brother's intention was to clarify to Fundales if he will be willing to be held liable for any copyright complaint after the film had been shown on television.
On Day 66, Yayo Aguila left the Big Brother House because of news that her mother was hospitalized due to a heart ailment. Yayo went to the hospital only to find that her mother had died. After the funeral of her mother on Day 70, Aguila expressed her intention of coming back as a competing housemate. With only two weeks left in its extended run, Endemol gave four conditions, one being that one of the remaining housemates give up their stint. Gaby de la Merced wanted to volunteer but the fourth condition said that an overnight poll would take place on who should stay between de la Merced and Aguila. The housemate leaving would receive PHP400,000, extracted from the final four's cash prizes as a supposed donation to Aguila's family. Aguila was reunited with the housemates but it was only short-lived as she was placed in the public vote against de la Merced. She was evicted on Day 71.
On Day 60, Baron Geisler got drunk and started flirting with the female housemates and making insulting remarks to Big Brother. The male housemates were ordered to put Baron in a secret room for him to sober up. He promised that it will not happen again but he went out of control again on Day 73, in the wee hours of Christmas. Geisler was forcibly evicted on Day 75.
As part of the tests given to the housemates on the final week, on Day 77, they were asked who among them does not deserve to make it to the finals as part of the mock nomination round, to which the housemates didn't answer. After much hinting from Big Brother, the housemates nominated each other, with Jon Avila nominating Gaby dela Merced and Riza Santos. The following day, Avila admitted to making a remark saying, "Is everyone thinking what I'm thinking? Five medallions are here. And we're five here", which influenced his fellow housemates' choices. After further consideration with Endemol, Avila was forcibly evicted on Day 81.

## Teen Edition Plus

Speculation arose that voting was manipulated during the finals. The management and Endemol made a joint statement on June 13, 2008, that the voting was fair and no manipulation took place.

## Double Up

In a confession room on October 7, 2009, JP Lagumbay learned that his employer did not approve his leave, which he requested to appear on the show. He was ordered to report to work by 8 AM the following day or face sanctions. JP left the House in the wee hours.
During a live show on Day 7, Cathy was introduced as a new housemate wearing a nurse's uniform as a costume for the Halloween-themed show. The Philippine Nurses Association sent a protest against Remperas, saying that her act damaged the image of a nurse. The show apologized for any misunderstanding and explained that the housemates wear a costumes as part of the live show.
After the House Battle on the sixth week, Tom Mott punched the Activity Hall's wall. Although he claimed that it was a result of frustration as a result of losing the House Battle and falling ill, the other housemates deemed it to be threatening behavior. Tom was allowed to go to the hospital to consult with a doctor. However, despite getting back inside before the 24-hour window lapsed, Mott was forcibly evicted and left on Day 42.
Rica Paras, the franchise's first transgender housemate, was the subject of bullying by housemates Hermes Bautista, Yuri Okawa, Rocky Salumbides, Mariel Sorino, Rob Stumvoll and Patrick Villanueva, with Salumbides adding derogatory remarks, such as Paras being a "she-man." The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), where Paras is vice-chairman, released an official statement about the events. Big Brother ordered the housemates involved to apologize. Despite this, the show received a Sybil Award from STRAP on May 22, 2010, because of its openness towards transgender people.
As part of the Three Kings task, Tibo Jumalon wore a bahag, a garment worn by Philippine indigenous groups, particularly Aetas, Mangyans, and Dumagats, to teach the value of frugality of clothing. This reached the attention of the Katribu, a political party representing indigenous peoples, because of Jumalon's inappropriate way of wearing the bahag. Partylist president Beverly Longid said:
   While we understand that the intent of its use is to promote certain moral values, we believe it diminished the cultural symbolism and importance of the indigenous garb ... Any inappropriate use of our culture not only offends our sensitivities but also demeans the integrity of our customs and traditions, which we passionately defend together with our rights to ancestral land and self-determination.
She called the show producers to teach the proper way of wearing the garment. The show production staff later responded and said:
   We apologize if our housemate was unable to strictly follow the guidelines but rest assured that, at this moment, measures are underway to correct that matter ... it did not intend to offend the sensitivities and customs of the indigenous people in any way.
Accusations of vote-rigging were brought when Melai Cantiveros emerged as the Big Winner, in which some viewers contended that the reveal of the partial results for the final four housemates prior to the Big Night was done to favor Cantiveros, who was trailing Paul Jake Castillo. Both Castillo and the Pinoy Big Brother management denied the accusations.

## Teen Clash 2010

On April 27, 2010, Eslove Briones was forced to leave after he played with a knife and jokingly pointed it at Tricia Santos, per a rule allowing such punishment immediately if the housemate committed violent acts or displayed the tendency to do so. He later threatened her about repeating the stabbing act, especially when Tricia complained through the house cameras. In one episode, Big Brother showed the video footage of the incident to fellow housemate, Joe Vargas, who reacted that Eslove's actions were a serious matter.
Housemates Ivan Dorschner and Ann Li shared an intimate kiss in a game of Spin the Bottle on May 26, 2010. Live feed subscribers witnessed the incident and clips of this scene circulated around Facebook and YouTube. Big Brother called all housemates to the confession room about the matter. The scene was not broadcast as it would attract the MTRCB, who are strict in terms of certain acts concerning teens. Reports further stated that other housemates had also kissed.

## Unlimited

During Team High-Voltage's eighth weekly task, in which they produced a news program, Wendy Tabusalla reported that one housemate, later identified as Joseph Biggel, was lying about his "first-time" experiences, such as eating ice cream and swimming in a pool. His "first-time" frenzies created a social media buzz; various photos and videos that debunked Biggel's claims surfaced. Big Brother ordered Biggel to explain the photos and videos. Show psychologist Randy Dellosa said Biggel experienced selective amnesia, in which a person forgets one particular moment in their life. Biggel was found to have fudged over details of his past, which later resulted in his father hanging up on him three days before the finale.
Despite the controversy, Biggel was given a segment in the fourth teen edition's Über afternoon show, paying homage to his "first-time" antics.

## Teen Edition 4

Reports claimed that housemate Kit Thompson was older than his presented age of 15.
During the interlude between the Unlimited finale and Teen Edition 4's opening night, senior members of the production staff emphasized the importance of confidentiality, implying that at least one shortlisted housemate had been sent home. This was a result of online pictures of possible housemates after a teaser video was shown in the Unlimited finale. Some of the "rumored" housemates were later confirmed on opening night and the introduction show for a second batch of housemates on Day 2. Though lists and pictures of rumored housemates – some of which were confirmed – had been spreading since the franchise's launch, it was the first time the staff announced a disqualification.
A video was made days before opening night wherein Ryan Boyce explained his rationale for joining the show. He mentioned certain parts of the audition process, which was a violation of show rules. Although it was supposedly made by Boyce's friends for family viewing, the video briefly appeared on social media.
Only a few weeks into the show, several housemates were a subject of romantic rumors: Mariz was given a marriage proposal prior to entering the House, Alec kissed Jai "accidentally", Yves forgot his girlfriend outside the House and chose to be with Myrtle and various love teams and triangles. Several Filipino , including Vice Ganda and host John Prats, expressed shock with how quickly today's teenagers fall in love, with Vice Ganda coining the meme "PBB Teens?"

## All In

The Philippine Commission on Women called on MTRCB to review an episode aired June 4, 2014, where Jayme Jalandoni was asked if she wanted to pose nude for a painting, as part of their sixth weekly task. Jalandoni was hesitant about the challenge at first but she later accepted. According to the PCW, nothing is wrong with women posing nude, so long as it is freely chosen. They added that the show violated her freedom of thought, conscience, and belief, stating that "Big Brother's exercise of authority over her is evidently suggestive; placing the female contestant under pressure amid the latter's rejection of the challenge." They cited Section 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta of Women as stating that media organizations should not induce, encourage, and/or condone violence against women in any form and/or in the violation of their human rights. Pia Cayetano, principal author of the Magna Carta of Women, commented the event as tantamount to coercion. Menerva Espanta spokesperson for the Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Young Artists for True Freedom) talent advocacy group, also commented on an episode where three of the housemates' mothers were tasked to clean rooms, branding the show as anti-women, stating "The show reinforces how society treats women and their role in society. That they are simply meant for housework and/or sexual entertainment disguised as art. Art should be reflective of society and challenge it. PBB has used art as a justification for treating a woman like a commodity in a show which targets a young audience."

## 737

In its first week, photos of Bailey May and Kenzo Gutierrez being affectionate to each other, as well as other male housemates, went viral. Screencaps of the events were edited with sexual undertone. Many expressed concern about the malice of these actions. On June 27, 2015, resident psychologist Randy Dellosa explained that their actions could be caused by their family backgrounds and the fact that they had an openly gay housemate, Ryan Bacalla; their actions were to make Ryan feel comfortable around male housemates. Dellosa assured the housemates' parents and the viewers that nothing is wrong with brotherly affection, and explained changing views on gender and sexuality, as well as the perception of Filipinos about this kind of affection. Despite this, MTRCB called a meeting about the issue as it was getting "numerous feedback and complaints." The board wanted to make sure that the show will "guarantee that no participants... [are] exposed to situation, challenges and experiences which may be prejudicial to his or her well-being, or that may have a negative impact on the youth and other audiences who will be watching the show." As a preventive response, ABS-CBN cut off its free live stream online and on cable TV on July 3, 2015. According to them, this was to protect housemates against malicious netizens. Fans petitioned to bring back the livestream. With the entrance of the regular housemates on Day 50, viewers were given limited streaming for two hours from Monday to Friday, during Pinoy Big Brother: 737 Online. Eventually, 24-hour live streaming returned.
Upon his entrance on Day 51, Philip Lampart was permitted to bring his one-year-old son Romeo inside the House for a week. The show wanted to highlight the importance of a parent's presence in child development. This move was met with mixed reactions, with some finding it good for the show, and others as exploitive.

## Lucky 7

On an episode that aired on August 12, 2016, housemates were seen laughing at an undergarment owned by housemate Rita Gaviola, a member of the Badjao ethnic group. The housemates apologized for their actions. Albay Representative Joey Salceda called the Department of Social Welfare and Development, MTRCB, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to step in, saying that discrimination happened against the Badjaos. Salceda added:
   From the start, PBB should have been structured to prevent its occurrence. Treatment of indigenous peoples is too delicate for a 'role playing-cum-confession room' context. It may address the direct participants but what about millions who watch the violation but failed for some reason to watch the episode of correction.
MTRCB called for a meeting, citing factors like Rita's age and her role as a representative of an indigenous group.

## Otso

On November 25, 2018, Pinoy Big Brother streamed an online show called YouthTube, hosted by Bianca Gonzales and Robi Domingo, in which they discuss, with experts, ex-housemates, and viewers, issues surrounding various housemates:
* Art Guma, regarding his sexuality, and his alleged coming out in the House
* Lie Reposposa, regarding how netizens see her as overreacting
* Criza Ta-a, regarding fake social media posts about conversations she allegedly had with other housemates
* Karina Bautista, getting bashed and criticized by netizens for falling in love with Aljon Mendoza despite having a boyfriend in the outside world;
* Ali Abinal, Reign Parani, and Rhys Eugenio getting bashed by netizens and calling them traitors for picking their friends in Camp Star Hunt instead of their fellow housemates in the Decem-versus challenge.
Experts from the show agreed that netizens should be more responsible when sharing on social media, and to be especially critical of the content that they see online.
In a livestream dated November 29, 2018, contestant Sansan Dagumampan told fellow contestants that bisexuals are "disgusting." Missy Quino, who was present in the conversation, called out Dagumampan on her remarks. Netizens criticized Dagumampan, and asked ABS-CBN to remove her.
Angela Tungol from the third batch received heavy backlash from netizens for bashing first batch housemates Karina Bautista and Criza Ta-a.
Banjo Dangalan was forcibly evicted from the house on June 4, 2019, after making a rape joke. The rape joke comments were compared to President Rodrigo Duterte, who drew criticism for making rape jokes during the 2016 presidential election campaign, by some netizens.

## Connect

On December 16, 2020, Justin Dizon trended online due to his bullying of Jie-Ann Armero; a livestream showed telling Armero she's dirty, making fun of her poor hygiene. Dizon later apologized to Armero for his actions.
In an episode aired January 2, 2021, Crismar Menchavez and Russu Laurente confessed their agreement to have ABS-CBS be shut down. Reactions erupted online; some called for their immediate eviction. Laurente was evicted on January 3, 2021. During the eviction night, Laurente's brother asked for forgiveness to ABS-CBN for his actions. Menchavez was subsequently evicted two weeks later.
At the sixth nomination night aired on January 28, 2021, online discussion focused on Big Brother's decision to add the Power of Veto, allowing the Head of Household to remove one housemate from the list of nominees. Viewers expressed their disdain with the sudden twist, calling it unfair. Some netizens called out the franchise for not following the original American rule for the Power of Veto. The #BoycottPBB trended number one in the Philippines on Twitter, with more than 30 thousand tweets posted.

## Kumunity Season 10

On the celebrity batch's second nomination round, the management removed the voting limit of 10 votes per account per day on Kumu, two days prior the end of the vote. Viewers found it unfair as a small number of voters could swing the results. It was seen as an attempt save alleged management favorite Anji Salvacion. By the end of the vote, Salvacion overtook Casiño, who ended up as the second evictee. As a result, the hashtags #PBBUnfair and #PBBCancelUnliVotes trended. After weeks of criticism, the twist was cancelled for the celebrity batch's final eviction and, by extension, the latter part of the season.
Brenda Mage received backlash after a clip of him giving inappropriate remarks to Eian Rances went viral. He apologized to Rances following a reprimand from Big Brother. He also received backlash for allegedly disparaging Alexa Ilacad to housemate, Madam Inutz.
TJ Valderrama was spotted touching and looking at Shanaia Gomez in an allegedly sexual manner on several occasions. This resulted in calls for his removal from the house as #ForceEvictTJ trended on November 20, 2021, alongside "Protect Shanaia Gomez." Gabriela Women's Party, a left-wing Filipino political party that advocates for women's rights, released a statement calling out the show. Moreover, the show and the housemates stated that nothing wrong was happening and that viewers should be careful of what they accuse. TJ was subsequently evicted on Day 51 with a -3.05% net.
Gabb Skribikin and Kai Espenido were widely criticized for incorrectly answering a question about the three Filipino priests executed during the Spanish colonial period, collectively as Gomburza, during their History Quiz Bee. The latter was also criticized for answering "SLEX" to a question about the San Juanico Bridge. Viewers said that this is a symptom of the lack proper history education; others called for the Department of Education to "open the schools" online. Host Robi Domingo expressed his disappointment on Twitter a few days after the history quiz bee trended across social media. Kai Espenido was subsequently evicted on Day 176
The show came under fire for posting a now-deleted teaser of the Big Homecoming that contains a spoof of celebrities KD Estrada and Anji Salvacion's confrontation during the celebrity leg of the season. The spoof was done by Robi Domingo and Lucky 7 winner Maymay Entrata portraying Estrada and Salvacion, respectively. As a result, the sentences "DEPRESSION IS NOT A JOKE" and "STOP USING KD FOR CLOUT" trended almost immediately on Twitter and Estrada deactivated his Twitter account after the video went viral.
Ex-housemate Wakim Regalado, who suffers from depression, stated that he "rebukes Pinoy Big Brother's insensitive and irresponsible move to trivialize and make fun of Estrada's experience." Fans and housemates alike expressed their support on this matter.

## Gen 11

A lot of criticisms by netizens with regards to the issues of housemates in the Big Brother House. It included:
* Marc Nanninga Jr. on trying to be close to Fyang Smith even though he has a girlfriend in the outside world.
* Dingdong Bahan on making inappropriate jokes towards fellow housemates.
* Fyang Smith who always close to the boys, especially JM Ibarra.
* Fyang's attitude causing the housemates hurt including JM having a bruise caused by Fyang's action.
* Jas on backstabbing and talking about Fyang with other housemates behind her back.
* Kolette on nominating Fyang even though Fyang nominating Dylan for defending Kolette.
* Kai Montinola, Dylan Yturralde and Rain Celmar on not having an accountability of confessing themselves that they have many violations that cause the others on getting a punishment despite having less violations than the three.
* FlipTop battle between Jas and Fyang during the Adults Vs. Teens task that cause attacking personal issues between the two.
Pinoy Big Brother Facebook page posted a statement on being a responsible netizen, advising people on posting hurtful, offensive and life-threatening comments against the housemates, stating that there are many ways to feel their support on their favorite housemate that does not include hurting the other housemate.
On September 14, 2024, PBB received backlash on cutting the video on rap battle between Jas and Fyang. They said that Pinoy Big Brother has a favoritism on one of the two housemates that's why they never released the clip where Jas and Fyang attacking each other about their personal life. PBB announced later that the voting for vote to evict will be remove later that week which it causes much trigger from the netizens. The #PBBCookingShow was trending on X as a consequence to the announcement. However a week later, Jas Dudley-Scales was evicted after getting the lowest number of votes against Kolette and JM.