ABS-CBN Head of TV Production Laurenti Dyogi talks to Pinoy Big Brother hopefuls during an audition on April 27, 2024 in Quezon City. Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Several aspiring Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemates camped  outside a mall in Quezon City overnight, hoping dawn will rise for them on Saturday come the first round of auditions for the upcoming PBB season. 

As of this writing, some 4,000 individuals have registered, with long queues still snaking around the mall.

“This marks our return on-ground after 6 years. The past days, we were worried if people will come. But it turns out we have a long day ahead,” ABS-CBN's head of TV production and Star Magic chief Laurenti Dyogi said.

According to Dyogi, the next generation of housemates is still a “blank canvas.”

“I do not dictate because I am open to whoever comes. We find the person who makes the season exciting. We are hoping to find very unique and very interesting housemates,” he said. 

Some individuals, who came from different parts of the Philippines, lined up as early as 10 p.m Friday. 

“This is a big opportunity, even if I don’t win at least I tried,” Bornok Garcia, hailing the from Antique said. 

“It is worth it. I wanted to experience what it’s like to auditions. This is my first time,” Jana, who lives jn Masbate, added. 

Meanwhile, Filipino-American Cochran flew all the way from California in the United States to try her luck. 

“Not only would PBB be a fun experience, I think it is a great way to bring awareness to my mental health advocacy. There is always sacrifice whenever you have something you really want. I would say it is worth it,” the aspiring beauty queen said. 

Along with their application forms, each hopeful carried with them vibrant dreams as well as an intriguing story. 

Aspiring P-pop idols Leoneth Cabarle and Kathleen Bulaon, for instance, shared the  recent triumphs of Nation’s Girl Group BINI pushed them to chase their own dreams. 

“Sobrang nakaka proud girls. Doon naboost confidence ko. Someday, maging ganoon din,” Bulaon explained. 

(I feel so proud of the girls. They boosted my confidence. Someday, I hope to be like them.) 

“Yung hard work nila, nakaka inspire lahat gagawin para sa pangarap. Siyempre kami rin, ganoon gagawin,” Cabarle added. 

(Their hardwork and determination to do everything it takes for their dreams is inspiring. We want to do the same.) 

Along with his crutches, person with disability John Mark Atienza, on the other hand, held with him a bigger mission. 

“Bilang may mataas na pangarap gusto ko ipakita sa lahat hindi kami basta basta PWD, 'di porket may kulang or mga wala sa part ng katawan, hindi na kami magpapatuloy. Gusto ko hindi lang ipakita kung hindi ipahayag na hindi porke't may kakulangan, hindi na tayo nagpapatuloy,” he said. 

(As someone with lofty aspirations, I want to show everyone that we, persons with disabilities (PWDs), are not just handicapped. Just because we have missing parts of the body doesn't mean we won't fight. I want to not only demonstrate but also proclaim that just because there are shortcomings, it doesn't mean we stop moving forward.) 

Dyogi encouraged other Filipinos to try out in the next auditions. Apart from housemates, he said they are also looking out for new talents for Star Magic and Star Hunt. 

“Lahat ng plano nagbabago as we see the housemates. Pag nabuo dumadating na tao, we calibrate. They say may napili na, [that's] not true. We will not spend time, energy, and money to mount if we already picked. Do not believe social media,” he said. 

"All plans change as we observe the housemates. When a complete person emerges, we recalibrate. They say we've already chosen, but that's not true. We wouldn't invest time, energy, and money in organizing if we had already made a selection. Don't trust social media." 

The ABS-CBN executive, however, warned the public to be wary of fake auditions both on-site and online. He stressed the schedule will only be posted on the official social media pages of PBB. 

PBB can be watched on A2Z, TV5, KapCha, IwantTFC, Kapamilya Online Live via FB and Youtube for livestream, in July.

RELATED VIDEO: