AFTER 19 weeks in Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house, Melai Cantiveros, the English Teacher from General Santos City was named as PBB Double Up Grand Winner Saturday.
The finale, which was held at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, was packed with thousands of people from all walks of life to show support to their favorite housemates.
The Big Five, composed of Tibo Jumalon, Johan Santos, Jason Francisco, Paul Jake Castillo and Melissa were safely hooded and locked in a Volkswagen Beetle convertible which prohibits them to see and hear the screaming fans in the outside world.
Fans of the Big Five from Cagayan de Oro, Quezon City, Mindoro, General Santos and Cebu also participated in the event with the former PBB housemates namely Ruben Gonzaga, Ned Rapiz, Cass Ponti and Uma Khouny.
Tibo, the daddy from Butuan City was announced by Linggit Tan alongside Jake Cuenca as the first Big Fifth Placer in all PBB history.
Tibo, Steven in real life, received or 7.69 percent or a total of 294,161 total votes.
Once outside the house, Tibo thanked everyone for the overwhelming support he received inside the house.
"Thank you po sa suporta na binigay niyo saken. Hindi po ako makakapasok sa Big Five kung di dahil sa inyo (Thank you to all of you, without your help I wouldn't be able to be in the Big Five)," he said.
Johan, the cutie server from Quezon City, was then named as the fourth Big placer garnering a total of 7.94 percent or 303,751 total of votes.
He was welcomed by his mother, clad in yellow top, whom the former's inspiration to get the bonus Xevera house and lot in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
Jason, the Boy Astig of Mindoro, was the third Big Placer and got a total of 24.97 percent or 954,961 total votes.
"Maraming salamat po sa inyo. Mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat (Thank you everybody, I love you all very much)," he said.
Jason was the constant bet of the viewers to be the Big Winner. He was voted to stay inside the house numerous times and received a tricycle from Big Brother after playing as the house help inside the PBB house.
He also received a lot of support from his co-housemates in his quest to win Melisa's heart inside the house.
Paul Jake, the Negosyo Prince from Cebu, was named as the second Big Placer and recieved P500,000. He got a total of 27.31 percent or 1,044,295 total of votes.
This Cebuano housemate was on the number spot days before the final night. He also received a constant support from his fans and families outside the house.
Paul Jake was named as Head of Household twice and on his third time, he let his co-housemate Kathy Ortega to take the crown because he promises her that he'll give her the crown if they will go head to head in the finals.
He was teary-eyed when he was welcomed by everyone.
When the time comes to announce the Big Winner this season, ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio graced the stage and read the total percentage of votes and the name of this season's Big Winner.
Melisa Cantiveros, the Inday Kengkay of General Santos was named as PBB Double Up Big Winner. She got a total of 32.08 percentage or 1,226,692 votes.
Melay, clad in a white ball gown, went out the mini PBB house and was welcomed by cheering crowd and supporters. It was an overwhelming moment for Melisa who knelt down the floor and started to cry.
When Toni Gonzaga, host of PBB Double Up asked her for some message to her supporter, Melisa was still a little bit speechless.
"I love you, I love you ka-ayo (I love You, I love you very much)," she said.
Melissa then added: "Thank you very much, sa parents ko sa, sa lahat, hindi ko to ini-expect, I love you Lord, Big brother sana magkita naman tayo at Jason sana magkita ulit tayo (Thank you very much to all, to my parents. I am not expecting this. I love you Lord, Big Brother I hope we'll meet someday and Jason I hope we'll still see each other outside the house.
On his reply to his lady love, Jason said: "Congratulations sa iyo Isay (Melissa's nicklname inside the house) ang galing mo."
That evening, international stars graced the Big Night with a headed by Charice Pempengco, Britain's Got Talent's Charlie Green and the America's best dance crew Jabbawockeez.
Other stars like Bugoy Bogayan, Jay-ar Siaboc, Teddy Corpuz, Mark Bautista, Yeng Constantino, Sheryn Regis graced the show.
"Rubi" stars, the post-Valentine soap opera of the Kapamilya network, Angelica Panganiban, Shaina Magdayao, Jake cuenca and Diether Ocampo were also there.
PBB Teen Edition Big Winner Kim Chiu also gave a dance number.
During the Big Night, hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzales and Toni Gonzaga announced that the third season of PBB Teen Edition will start this summer.
The Big Five guested the Sunday noontime show "Asap VX" the day after the Big Night. (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)