MANILA — (UPDATED) Beauty queen Samantha Bernardo will replace volleyball star Alyssa Valdez in the celebrity edition Top 2 of "Pinoy Big Brother," the show announced Sunday.

Due to scheduling conflicts with the Southeast Asian Games, Valdez decided to forgo her spot.

"Dito po sa labas ng inyong bahay mayroon pong mga commitments na kailangan din po akong na gampanan para po sa ating bansa," Valdez told Big Brother.

"Magpe-prepare naman po ang national team para po sa nalalapit na SEA Games. Sa Vietnam po ito gaganapin and hindi ko rin po masasabi sa kung kailan matatapos kaya naman po hindi ko po magagampanan at hindi po ako makakabalik sa loob po ng inyong bahay," she added.

The SEA Games will run from May 12-23, coinciding with the return of the Top 2 housemates to the Big Brother house.

• SEA Games coming up

In a series of revelations, Big Brother announced that Bernardo will replace Valdez and return to the competition.

"Knowing me, hindi ako sumusuko sa anumang pagsubok ng hamon ng buhay. I am not a quitter, I will always say na okay lang sa ’kin na matalo ako as long as I fight till the end. Tinatanggap ko po ‘yun at isang malaking karangalan na ako ang kapalit ni sissy (Valdez) at laban natin ‘to sissy," Bernardo said.

“Ako pa rin, more sabaw moments,” she said in jest. “Excited akong ipakita kung ano ‘yung mas natutunan ko na dala ko pagpasok sa Bahay ni Kuya, paglabas, and ganoon pa rin ako eh. Sa totoo lang, walang sobrang nagbago but I’m so excited to be the biggest and greatest ate for everyone again," she added.

Bernardo is set to compete with the other top 2 housemates from the adult and teen batches to determine the big winner.

Valdez also gave a message to Bernardo in a video message.

"Sissy Sam, hello! Alam kong nagtataka ka kung bakit ako nandito pero I just want to congratulate you sa muli mong pagpasok sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya," Valdez said.

"Alam kong ibibigay niyo ni Anji (Salvacion) ang best niyo para ma-represent ang batch natin sa loob ng bahay ni Kuya. Kaya naman, good luck and see you sa outside world soon," she added.

Bernardo failed to snatch one of the top 2 spots with a slim 0.07 difference from Salvacion's 13.60 percent votes on the last eviction night last January.

• PBB: Alyssa Valdez, Anji Salvacion named celebrity top 2

Bernardo represented the Philippines at the Miss Grand International 2020 pageant and finished first runner-up.

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