For those who regularly follow ABS-CBN’s programs, you should have known by now that another general, or for the unitiated, a “native of General Santos City” has started filtering into the consciousness of the country after her identity was revealed at the initial telecast of the new season of the reality TV show, Pinoy Big Brother, which has been dubbed PBB Double-Up.

This PBB Grand Winner hopeful’s name is Melissa Cantiveros,  a student of the Mindanao State University in Tambler, GenSan whom they have tagged as “Inday Kengkay“.  Her nickname is MELAI.

MELAI hails from Barangay Calumpang and wants to be a teacher.  She majors in English at the MSU and is as funny in person as she is from the first few times we see her inside Kuya’s new house.

Bariles was personally present when it was MELAI‘s group of 20 auditioners’ turn to be presented to PBB Resident Director Laurenti Dyogi during auditions at the GenSan Gym in Barangay Lagao last April 26, 2009.

It was a long day for everyone and only about a 3rd of the more than 10,000 hopefuls from Soccsksargen and as far as Zamboanga and Cebu have already been given the look-see by Direk Dyogi.

Melissa, a tiny wisp of a girl wasn’t noticeable the first time Bariles saw her lined up against the wall with other Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson-wanna-bees while facing the unsmiling director inside the screening room of the gym  But when she started giggling and quipped funny answers to the director’s questions, mixing her Tagalog and English with a smattering of Cebuano, she came across as a natural comedienne.

When the director pushed her for more answers, Bariles knew then that she’d make it to the first screening

 

Thats Melissa and other 2nd Screening Passers, while waiting for their turn during PBB Auditions at the GenSan Gym.:
"That's Melissa and other 2nd Screening Passers, while waiting for their turn during PBB Auditions at the GenSan Gym.:

Melai did survive the first screening and stayed on, to pass the 2nd screening, where they were whittled down to 30 a few hours after.  Finally, before midnight came, she landed among the top 10!

Melai bested so many taller and prettier girls and if you see her up front, you wouldn’t immediately notice the qualities that made ABS-CBN choose her from more than 10,000 young men and women who auditioned in GenSan or for that matter, more than 70,000 from all over the Philippines.  But now that you see her on TV, you will gradually find out that she really got what it takes to have made it this far and maybe become GenSan’s first PBB Grand Winner.

If she plays her cards right and never forgets that her stint inside Big Brother’s House is still a GAME first and foremost;  and,  eventually make it into the finals, then it is our turn as her fellow GENERALS to take out our CELLPHONES and start voting for her eventual VICTORY!

Meanwhile, here are other pictures during the PBB Auditions in General Santos City.

The kilometric line leading to the gate and main entrance of GenSan Gym.
"The kilometric line leading to the gate and main entrance of GenSan Gym."

 

PBB hopefuls wait patiently for their turn to enter GenSan Gym.
"PBB hopefuls wait patiently for their turn to enter GenSan Gym."

 

 

 

Pinoy Dream Academys Teacher Monet Silvestre and Pinoy Big Brother Director Laurenti Dyogi greet the 10,000 young hopefuls at the GenSan Gym.
"Pinoy Dream Academy's Teacher Monet Silvestre and Pinoy Big Brother Director Laurenti Dyogi greet the 10,000 young hopefuls at the GenSan Gym."

 

 

 

With thousands more still outside, Director Laurenti Dyogi gives instructions to the first batch of auditioners inside the GenSan Gym.  The screening is about to begin.
"With thousands more still outside, Director Laurenti Dyogi gives instructions to the first batch of auditioners inside the GenSan Gym. The screening is about to begin."

 

 

 

Just a few of the young generals wanting to gain entry into the house of Big Brother.
"Just a few of the young generals wanting to gain entry into the house of Big Brother."
Some more PBB hopefuls.
"Some more PBB hopefuls."
A few of the young men who passed the first 3 screenings.
"Some of the young generals who passed the first 3 screenings."

But there can only be one……

Melissa, with the other girl finalists of the PBB Audition in GenSan while waiting for their turn to be screened again by Direk Laurenti.
"Melissa, with the other girl finalists of the PBB Audition in GenSan while waiting for their turn to be screened again by Direk Laurenti."

And so, from us here at GenSan News Online Mag, CONGRATULATIONS to Inday Kengkay Melissa and GOOD LUCK!  We promise to support you all the way!

Mabuhay ka!!!

And one more pahabol picture….

Bariles with ABS-CBN Socsksargen News Bureau Chief Myric Kapunan and her staff inside the PBB Screening Room.
"Bariles with ABS-CBN Socsksargen News Bureau Chief Myric Kapunan and her staff inside the PBB Screening Room."

October 8, 2009. Here is the exclusive ABS-CBN Socsargen Report. Thanks to Rammyboi for the link. More updates coming up soon!