Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, and Zanjoe Marudo headline ‘Pinoy Big Brother Magazine’
by Rachelle Siazon ( ABS-CBN Interactive ) 11.23.09
Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, and Zanjoe Marudo are on the cover of the Pinoy Big Brother Magazine special. The issue looks back on their days as housemates inside Kuya’s house and recounts their respective journeys to stardom.

Kim bested thousands of adolescents to claim the title of Teen Big Winner of the first Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition in 2006. Life before PBB was a challenge for this Fil-Chinese lass from Cebu. Back then many of her relatives would belittle her for her looks and talents. Kim won the hearts of many as she braved every challenge thrown at her by Kuya inside the house. “’Yung mga taong hindi naniniwala sa akin bago ako pumasok sa Bahay ni Kuya, nandun sa audience at pumapalakpak sa akin.” In the years that followed her PBB win, Kim has blossomed into a young woman with a stellar showbiz career. With a bestselling album, hit soaps (the most recent of which was Tayong Dalawa with her ka-love team Gerald), the once timid girl has grown into showbiz’s most in-demand young actress.

Gerald, who came in in third place to Kim, became popular as her dashing prince during their stay inside the PBB house. The Amboy cutie from General Santos City, who back then was more fluent in English and Bisaya than in Tagalog, was one of the last to show up for the Manila leg of the Teen Edition auditions. Gerald soon emerged as one of the most sought after male stars of today. “Dati nasa background lang ako at ang isinisigaw ng mga tao, ‘yung pangalan ni Kuya Joross Gamboa (he was once Joross’s back up dancer. Joross eventually convinced him to join showbiz). Pagharap ko sa audience, pangalan ko na ang isinisigaw nila. Kakaibang high.”

Gerald did a slew of successful teleseryes and a few movies with Kim. But aside from being known as Kim’s leading man, he also managed to make a name for himself. He played Tiagong Akyat in the initial offering of Agimat: Ang mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Sr. series. Gerald was hailed as this year’s sexiest bachelor and even bagged a Star Awards Best Actor nomination for his performance in Your Song presents My Only Hope.

Zanjoe was already a ramp, print, and commercial model when he joined Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition in 2006. But as he took on every task as Kuya’s housemate, the moreno hunk proved to viewers that he is just a simple and humble man. PBB opened doors of opportunities for Zanjoe, and after becoming the Fourth Celebrity Placer in the competition, he fulfilled his dream of crossing over into acting. This year alone he played a leading man in four teleseryes, the latest being top rater Lovers in Paris.

He also has no qualms making a fool out of himself in the gag show Banana Split with fellow PBB alumni John Prats and Jayson Gainza. PBB Business Unit Head Lauren Dyogi said of Zanjoe’s flair for comedy, “I never thought he could be funny. Nung una naming siyang ini-interview, mukha siyang serious. Sa loob ng bahay, he was always quiet, kaya nung nag-comedy siya nagulat din ako.”