It’s been 12 years since the Philippines’ most famous house opened its doors to its interesting inhabitants, or housemates, who became the talk of the town nationwide as cameras aired every single thing they do 24/7 in a stretch of over three months.

Pinoy Big Brother had a total of 271 housemates from its 14 editions who came from different walks of life and from different countries. Several of them became active in show business while others choose the private life and are into various careers.

Living to its tagline “Ang Teleserye ng Totoong Buhay”, PBB was able to present the real deal among the individual personalities of the housemates. There were controversial happenings and many more momentous and life-changing events that took place inside the house that remained ingrained in our minds.

Especially the very first 13 housemates who stepped in Bahay Ni Kuya on the reality show’s nascent season in 2005. Who were they? How did they fare in the pilot season? And, of course, the most important question: What happened to them?

Rico Barrera

He was the first one to be evicted from the house and also the first-ever recipient of the automatic nomination punishment after he jumped into the pool while still wearing his lapel microphone and accidentally setting off the fire alarm while cooking.

After PBB, Rico appeared in some Kapamilya shows and movies such as Kahit Isang Saglit (2008), Pinoy Mano Mano: Celebrity Boxing Challenge (2007), Rounin (2007), Love Spell Presents: Wanted: Mr. Perfect (2006), Komiks: Inday Bote (2006), Gulong ng Palad (2006), and ASAP Fanatic (2006). Since then, Rico opted to leave showbiz and has since been a businessman.

JB Magsaysay

This “La Union hottie” is a distant relative of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay. A romantic relationship blossomed between him and housemate Say Alonzo. He also appeared in some TV shows after his PBB stint and is now a barangay captain in San Juan, La Union. Unknown to many, he is married to Ikaw Lang Ang IIbigin star Coleen Garcia’s mother Maripaz.

Racquel Reyes

Dubbed by her housemates as Mommy Racquel, she has been working as a teacher even before she joined the competition in 2005. A stroke survivor, Mommy Racquel still teaches in a small barrio in Trapiche, Batangas.

Bob Dela Cruz

He was forcibly evicted not because of an uncouthly demeanor, but because of a heart ailment. He was rushed to the hospital after showing signs of stress and losing consciousness in Day 50 of the program. He was eventually eliminated because he failed to go back to the house after 24 hours. Bob currently serves as a Councilor in Marilao, Bulacan.

Chx Alcala

Famous for being frank and liberated, Chx was the most controversial in their batch. Chx has been busy with business endeavors, including a security agency, which she revealed last March in Magandang Buhay.

Sam Milby

He replaced housemate Jenny when she failed to abide by the 24-hour rule. Sam charmed viewers not only because of his good looks, but also with his awesome singing voice. He co-wrote and sang the love song “Magmahal Muli” alongside Say. He remains active in showbiz as the Rockoustic Heartthrob who starred in numerous top-rating teleseryes, variety shows, and blockbuster films and released several music albums.

Jenny Suico

The first one to use the voluntary exit privilege after she needed to tend to her foster father who was in a critical condition at the time.

However, she got the opportunity to go back to the house as part of the new twist called “The Big Switch” in which evicted housemates had the chance to get back in the contest. Jenny is reportedly married and is now living in Texas.

Franzen Fajardo

Considered as the most unruly, Franzen committed the most number of violations and had even put the show in a critical situation. Although he was nominated for eviction numerous times, popular votes always saved him, thanks to his comedic nature and mass popularity. Eventually, he was forced to evict.

After his PBB stint, he tried his luck in showbiz but chose to return to his original job as a salesman afterwards. Reports say that Franzen operates a buy-and-sell business in Malaysia.

Say Alonzo

So close yet so far. This was Say’s situation during her PBB gig as he was the last one to get eliminated before the first-ever Big Four was announced. She was known as kikay and loquacious and had a romantic relationship with housemate JB. She also co-wrote and sang “Magmahal Muli” with Sam. She appeared in several TV dramas and films after PBB. Say is now a businesswoman and happily married to non-showbiz husband Ryan Tordesillas, with whom she has a son Asher.

Uma Khouny

Despite being known as the straightforward housemate of Season 1, this Filipino-Israeli was never nominated for eviction throughout the whole season and emerged as the Fourth Big Placer in the end.

He joined Kat de Castro in hosting the defunct travel show Trip na Trip and is now managing his coffee business in New York.

Cassandra Ponti

This morena beauty was the cook of the house and was the closest to Uma. After winning as the Third Big Placer, Cass became a sexy actress and graced covers of several men’s magazines. It didn’t take long before she bowed out of the limelight and chose the simple life with her non-showbiz husband and their son Leeam.

Jason Gainza

This proud Batangueno was Franzen’s partner in crime inside the house. Their tandem and funny antics brought laughter to their housemates. His undeniable sense of humor was noticeable and it paved the way for a successful career in showbiz, prominently as a comedian. Jason was Season 1’s second big placer. He is currently seen on FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Banana Sundae.

Nene Tamayo

Tagged as Kumander Nene in and outside the house, the first-ever Big Winner was known for her leadership skills honed from her ROTC days. She expressed her disinterest in pursuing a showbiz career, but emerged as a dancing diva in the defunct dance show U Can Dance. She married her dance partner and instructor in the show Anthony Plamio and now have seven-year-old son. Aside from being a home keeper, Nene also owns Nene Primefoods, a bottled-food business.

Through the years, we’ve seen the influx and exodus of these housemates and some shone brightly in the limelight, others sought the private life. But most see this first season as the most memorable as it launched the kind of TV phenomenon we can’t live without.

Truly, the pioneer housemates set the standard for all those who took their places in the succeeding seasons—a recognition that continues to this day.