Big Brother took everyone by surprise when he "declared" Mariel Rodriguez a celebrity housemate through a letter that was read by Uber co-host Bianca Gonzalez yesterday, October 17.
No one was more shocked than the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 host herself, who thought she was just accompanying newly arrived housemate Jon Avila inside the confession room. Mariel was doing her usual hosting routine for PBB Celebrity Uber when Big Brother informed her that she would be staying inside his house for a while. This was totally unexpected, and probably scary for her, especially since she has always been outspoken about her greatest fear—being locked up inside the house as a housemate.
Apparently, this twist had been planned out well by Big Brother, with the host's manager, Boy Abunda, in the know. A pre-taped VTR of his message was shown to Mariel and the housemates, telling her not to blame Kuya but himself. Boy said he believed she would be a better person when her time inside the Big Brother house was up.
Mariel told the housemates that there had been hints and signs that she would be tricked into something like this—her schedule was blocked off for the next two weeks—but she didn't really give it serious thought. On the part of Big Brother, this was the only way he could get Mariel. He had been trying to convince her since PBB Celebrity Season 1 but she was always adamant in remaining outside the house's confines.
Now that Mariel is not just the "Kapitbahay ni Kuya" but a certified housemate, would there be some connivance between her and Big Brother, like a special personal task of snooping around the housemates?
Joining Mariel and the other housemates are Jon Avila, who entered the house during Uber Live, wearing only board shorts that displayed his killer abs, and Ethel Booba, who gave the housemates a show during Primetime live. The three complete the roster of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 housemates.