PBB ALL IN: The Unlikely Winner

I am a quite certain that many Filipinos out there would have wanted a kababayan to have emerged as the winner in the recently concluded Pinoy Big Brother: All In. As we all know, it was Daniel Matsunaga, a Brazilian-Japanese celebrity, who was declared as the victor – thanks to the thousands (or millions?) of text votes that went his way.

I have only watched the first few episodes of PBB, and thus, not in a position to pass judgment on the housemates and the contest itself. However, plain logic tells me that a Filipino should have won, as the show is a Philippine franchise after all. 

So why did Filipinos vote for a foreigner?

After some deliberation, I realized that the viewing (and texting) public should not be blamed for the unlikely outcome. Rather, the network should be the one to do some rationalizing, which leads me to this question: why did they include Daniel in the contest? Did the show need a ripped bod to beef up the (sliding) ratings?

If memory serves me right, Daniel did not pass through the auditions, unlike the original housemates. I surmise now that Mr. Matsunaga is one very lucky guy.

Went inside the house scot-free, and went out with a smile from ear to ear.

I thought he was merely a guest in the house.

Since the network added Daniel, then the golden chance of winning the contest that was bestowed upon the original cast or group, was bestowed upon him as well. Perhaps, Daniel performed and behaved well inside Kuya’s house, the reason why many Filipinos voted for him. 

What about his popularity and good looks? Did each play a big role too?

Or could this be another case of colonial mentality?

Any answer Kuya?

Postscript: 
James Reid won the same contest way back in 2010. But at least, Filipino blood runs through his veins, since his mother is a Filipino (and his father is an Australian).