At the height of the pushing and shoving for the best view of the country's newest celebrities, 14-year-old Rizza Bolivar wept as she tried to move her way through the crowd that filled the Gaisano City Mall parking lot in Bacolod City.

It was her second try to see the housemates of ABS-CBN's reality show, "Pinoy Big Brother," after her efforts to get a glimpse of them at the packed Robinsons Place proved futile.

A few minutes later, the diminutive Rizza, who traveled from Victorias City to Bacolod, accidentally found a relative, who was more than willing to literally give her a lift so she could see her idols.

"I have been looking forward to seeing them the whole week," Rizza, now wearing a smile, told the DAILY STAR in Ilonggo. Rizza was among the thousands of Negrenses who warmly welcomed the 13 PBB housemates who visited the city Saturday.

In return, the housemates belted songs and treated their audiences to dance numbers to the tune of the popular "Pinoy Ako", the theme song of the show.

Prior to their performances at Gaisano City and Robinsons Place, the 13 housemates --- big winner Nene Tamayo, Jason Gainza, Cassandra Ponti, Uma Khouny, Say Alonzo, Franzen Fajardo, Sam Milby, Jenny Suico, Bob de la Cruz, Chyx Alcala, Racquel Reyes, JB Magsaysay and Rico Barrera --- motored through the city's major thoroughfares, prompting Negrense fans to line the streets of Bacolod causing traffic to slow down Saturday morning.

At a press conference at the Grand Regal Hotel, the housemates, who came out of obscurity and became instant celebrities after joining the reality show, were made to answer questions on a variety of topics, ranging from politics, the country's educational system and the responsibility of being role models to young Filipinos.

"I think we showed discipline inside the Big Brother house, which is a mark of a good Filipino," said Tamayo, whose mother hails from Cadiz City. Tamayo, who is known as "Kumander Nene" inside the Big Brother House, emerged as the big winner of the reality show that ran from September to December last year. She went home with close to P5 million in prizes, which included a brand new house and a new Nissan Frontier, among others.

Inside the Big Brother House, the housemates had to adhere to rules with no information about or from the outside world.

Suico, De la Cruz and Reyes said they showed values best shown by Filipinos like love for family. For one, Suico made a sacrifice of making a voluntary exit to be with her ailing stepfather, who died a few days after she left the Big Brother house. Fans later voted Suico back into the house but she was eventually voted out.

During the show, the housemates were also made to do charity work every week, an endeavor Alonzo says they always look forward to. "We recently did charity work for Golden Acres. For us, it is really fulfilling," Alonzo said.

Asked to comment on the escape of the five Magdalo soldiers involved in the oakwood mutiny from prison recently, Tamayo, who had trained at the Philippine Military Academy before becoming corps commander of the University of the East, said she admires them for "standing by their principles".

Reyes, a former school teacher, said government support for the Philippine educational system is "lacking". Reyes said she plans to apply for a teaching job abroad after her contract with ABS-CBN expires but added that she is willing to learn more about acting to prolong her career in the entertainment industry. Reyes also said she hopes to star in a movie with all her fellow housemates. De la Cruz, who had ran for councilor last year but lost in his hometown in Marilao, Bulacan, said he does not plan to ride on his celebrity-status to pursue his political ambitions. "I don't want to use my popularity to get votes," he added.

Arguably one of the most popular housemates, Milby said he plans to concentrate on his singing career rather than acting. "I hope to make more songs and albums," he said.

LOVE TEAMS

Meanwhile, Khouny, a Filipino-Israeli, whose love team with Ponti is being promoted by ABS-CBN, says his display of affection for the Davao-born housemate is not all for show.

"We enjoy each other's company," was all Khouny would say.

Alonzo said she is shutting the door on Magsaysay, who was her boyfriend inside the PBB house. Alonzo and Magsaysay broke up, shortly after Alonzo was voted out of the house because of Magsaysay's rumored romantic relationship with actress Angelica Panganiban.

Alonzo, likewise, brushed aside rumors linking her to Milby.

Magsaysay denied having a one-on-one date with Panganiban, saying that they were out on a group date with his younger brother, who is the actress' best friend.

Tamayo admitted being close to de la Cruz but denied they are a couple. "He's (de la Cruz) always there for me," she added. *CPT

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