dora la chika dora

Bianca Gonzalez is very thankful that she and her loved ones were spared from the devastating flood brought by Typhoon Ondoy last September 26. At the press conference of Pinoy Big Brother Double Up, Bianca shared with ABS-CBN.com her own Ondoy experience. “Hindi na ako nakaabot sa Entertainment Live because I was stranded on EDSA for around six hours. Pero I’m blessed that my home, family, and other loved ones are safe. I think this whole week we should all do what we can to help those victims of the calamity.”

Unfortunately, Bianca became ill the following day so she was unable to help out in the telethon organized by ABS-CBN to raise donations for the victims of the calamity. But while resting in her home, Bianca, a self-confessed Internet addict, opened her laptop and figured out another way to help. “Internet power na lang ako. I went online sa Twitter, blog, to tell other people how they can help, where they can send their donations. I think this week napatunayan ‘yung power ng Internet. Ang dami kasing hindi nakakaalam kung paano sila makakatulong. Pero isang simpleng mention mo lang sa Twitter or Facebook ang dami nang nai-inform. I know of several stories na nanawagan sila sa Twitter kung okay ba ‘yung kakilala nila. Tapos biglang may nag reply na nahanap na raw ‘yung tao and okay na. It was so amazing to see the power of technology. Kung wala siguro ang internet at cellphone mas marami pa ngayon ang nahihirapan.”

The next day Bianca went to the relief operation center in Pasig to help out in the repacking of goods. She also told ABS-CBN.com that she felt sad for her friends in Entertainment Live who were affected by the flood. “Sa Entertainment Live family namin ang daming naapektuhan. Our director, executive producer. But thank God ngayon medyo okayna sila. Kami sa show we’re doing the best we can to help ‘yung mga katrabaho naming nasalanta ng baha.”

Still there is a reason for this 26-year-old to be happy because she is set to host Pinoy Big Brother Double Up again with Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez. Bianca said that she is excited to be doing the hit reality show again with two of her closest friends. “Dahil Double Up ang season e double din ang effort namin na pagandahin pa ‘yung pagho-host ng PBB. Naghahanda na kami sa super bongga naming kickoff sa Sunday, October 4. Also matagal na rin since we last did eviction night together. In the past seasons usually dalawa lang or isa ang kasama ni Luis Manzano. Ngayon sa buong season kaming tatlo nina Mariel at Toni ang magkakasama every eviction night.”

In spite being hosts of the show, Bianca confessed that she, Mariel, and Toni still have no idea what to expect from this Double Up season. Bianca said that she ready to be surprised on Sunday for the grand kickoff. “Sobrang wala pa akong alam hanggang ngayon, kahit tungkol sa housemates o sa house. Pero give up na ako. Tanong ako nang tanong pero ayaw naman nilang sabihin. Malamang sa opening night na namin mismo malalaman, kapag live na kami at inabot na sa amin ‘yung script. Or kapag nagsalita na si Kuya mismo. Okay lang naman ‘yun kasi at least may excitement pa rin sa part naming hosts.”

Before becoming a host, Bianca was a housemate of the PBB Celebrity Edition in 2007 where she became the third runner-up. As someone who had lived inside the famous Big Brother house, Bianca has this advice for the new batch of housemates. “Importante talaga ‘yung pakikisama, in all forms. Whether i-greet or mag-smile ka lang sa kasama mo or tulungan mo siya sa gawaing bahay or problem niya. Itong lesson na ito hindi lang siya important sa loob ng bahay but also sa totoong buhay.”