By Amirah Eloise M. Banda

The newest winners of Pinoy Big Brother, Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca, who are known for their duo name BreKa, brought a stunning arc of redemption which made them this season’s winners. At the beginning of the season, they stepped into the house and brought not just influence but also infamy. For Brent, the “red flag” label stemmed from his online persona as being overconfident and with rumors of drama and insincerity in his past relationships. Mika, on the other hand, had long struggled with the public’s perception of her as “cancelled” due to controversial decisions she made at the height of her influencer career.

As someone who watches PBB, their personalities were quite skeptical because their first few weeks did not reveal much of their characters. Brent struggled with control during group tasks, and Mika appeared reserved, unsure whether the housemates would accept her. She was also criticized by the housemates as one of the “hindi nagpapakatotoo.” Her fear of receiving negative feedback from the public stemmed from her back to back controversial incidents. They clashed with others and even with each other. But in these conflicts, something changed.

They began listening. Apologizing. Learning.

Their transformation was not swift but sincere. Brent shifted from dominance to dependability. Mika shifted from being reserved to offering emotional support, resolving conflicts, and mentoring younger housemates with grace and patience.

Today, they carry their platform with a purpose. As a gesture of gratitude and deeper social responsibility, the duo pledged part of their winnings to Duyan ni Maria, a shelter for abandoned and neglected children, reflecting their shared belief that healing and hope must be paid forward. BreKa’s story is a reminder that red flags don’t have to be the end of the road. When met with humility, hard work, and the courage to face oneself, they can be transformed into something powerful—green flags that lead the way for others.

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