Who are Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca, the first Big Winner duo of ‘Pinoy Big Brother’?

A historic season of Pinoy Big Brother has concluded, marking several firsts for the popular reality show, particularly its Celebrity Collab Edition. This iteration not only featured well-known personalities as housemates but also brought together artists from rival networks ABS-CBN's Star Magic and GMA's Sparkle under one roof, a significant move following their collaboration on the noontime show It’s Showtime.

Breaking further ground, this season introduced the concept of Big Winner duos, pairing one artist from Star Magic with another from Sparkle. Emerging victorious and claiming the title of the first-ever Big Winner duo were Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca, affectionately known to fans as "BreKa."

BreKa secured their win with 33.03% of the total combined votes, earning each of them a P1-million cash prize. They surpassed fellow duos Ralph de Leon and Will Ashley (RaWi), Charlie Fleming and Esnyr Ranollo (CharEs), and AZ Martinez and River Joseph (AzVer) in the race for the top spot.

Let's take a closer look at the individuals behind the winning tandem, Brent and Mika, and what they were known for before their life-changing PBB journey.

Lesyel Brent Romero Manalo, dubbed “Ang Gentle-linong Heartthrob ng Tarlac,” is a 27-year-old model, actor, and content creator. His achievements started well before his public career, graduating high school as valedictorian in 2014 and earning a cum laude distinction in 2018 from De La Salle University with a degree in advertising management.

Brent stepped into the acting world in 2020 with the mini-series Ampalaya Chronicles. He later gained wider recognition for his role as Migs Ilustre in the hit series The Broken Marriage Vow in 2022, acting alongside seasoned industry veterans. His other acting credits include the comedy series Beach Bros and appearing in Janine's music video for "Apat na Buwan."

He was also a familiar face in the popular YouTube skits produced by his co-housemate Esnyr Ranollo, often portraying campus heartthrob characters that resonated with viewers.

Beyond acting, Brent found a powerful form of self-expression in fashion, describing it as his "armor" to navigate his naturally reserved nature. His chic outfits garnered a significant social media following, positioning him as a style inspiration for men and young boys exploring their personal style, as well as a guide for taking the perfect photo.

Reflecting on his win during the Big Night, Brent emphasized the role of passion, stating, “I just want to say that when your heart is what you use to fight, anything is possible. God is good!”

Anne Michaella Salonga Salamanca, known as Mika, entered the house with the moniker “Ang Controversial Ca-babe-len ng Pampanga.” This 24-year-old actress, singer, and content creator initially built her audience on YouTube, sharing song covers, Q&A sessions, gaming content, and more.

Mika shared in a 2018 vlog that becoming a PBB housemate was a childhood dream, one she didn't give up on despite a previous unsuccessful audition. Seven years later, in 2025, that dream finally came true.

Prior to her PBB stint, Mika had already made strides in her acting career, appearing in GMA series such as Sarah in Maging Sino Ka Man (2023), Megan in Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis (2024), Emerald Anonuevo in Abot-Kamay na Pangarap (2024), and most recently, Anaca in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre, which aired while she was still inside the house.

Mika's journey was unique as she entered the PBB house already facing public scrutiny due to past controversies and perceived misconceptions about her character. Her four months inside “Bahay ni Kuya” became an opportunity to address her past, move forward, and show the public her true self beyond the headlines.

Her "Controversial Ca-Babe-len" moniker likely stemmed from a 2020 incident where she was arrested in Hawaii for violating COVID-19 quarantine protocols. Mika publicly apologized for the lapse, admitting it was wrong to go out before completing the mandatory self-quarantine period.

Inside the PBB house, Mika revisited this difficult moment during a weekly task. She bravely confessed to Kuya in the confession room that the severe backlash from the incident had left her fearful of making mistakes ever since, saying, “Every time I do something wrong, the bashing and my arrest following the incident in Hawaii comes back to me. Every time I make a mistake, I get scared that something like that might happen again.”

Despite the initial challenges, Mika successfully connected with and won over PBB audiences through her perceived genuineness, resilience, and even showcasing her singing talent. Her journey demonstrated her ability to overcome past struggles and prove herself to the public.

Upon being declared half of the Big Winner duo, Mika expressed her gratitude, stating, “The words ‘happy,’ ‘I love you all,’ and ‘thank you’ will never be enough to explain what I’m feeling right now. All of this is for all of you — for my family, everyone who has shown love to me, and for me and Brent.”