MANILA -- (UPDATE 1) The housemates of the latest season of "Pinoy Big Brother" are being revealed one by one on Sunday, hours before the official launch of the season's pilot episode.
The first two housemates were revealed Sunday afternoon during the noontime show "ASAP."
Axel Torres
First to be introduced was Axel Torres, a team member of De La Salle University's men's basketball varsity, the Green Archers.
Dubbed the "Jock-Next-Door ng Taguig" in the hit reality show, the new housemate is the brother of DLSU Green Archer Thomas Torres.
Jane Oineza
The second housemate came as a big surprise, since young actress Jane Oineza did not know that she has been selected to be a housemate.
Oineza has appeared in several ABS-CBN shows since 2002, and was part of the original cast of "Goin' Bulilit."
She is part of Star Magic batch 2013, along with other rising teen stars like Janella Salvador, Liza Soberano, Julia Barreto and Jerome Ponce.
Other housemates are set to be revealed later Sunday evening, following the start of the "PBB" countdown.
Cess Visitacion
Launched on "Buzz ng Bayan," "Bida Raketera ng Valenzuela" Cess Visitacion is the third housemate to be introduced to the public on Sunday.
Starting out as a nursing graduate, she left home and launched her own career by venturing into different businesses like selling pirated DVDs, lotions and soap.
Visitacion hopes to return to her parents as the big winner of the show.
Kevin Cecilio
Kevin Cecilio, dubbed the "Simpatikong Salesman ng CamSur," moved to Manila so that he can help with his father's medical treatment needs. Instead of continuing with his studies, this fourth housemate works as a realty broker .
Nichole Baranda
The fifth housemate is Phoemela Baranda's daughter, Nichole.
The "Sweet Revelation ng Makati" hopes to find herself while inside the PBB house and wants to prove why she is a secret no longer.
Other housemates are set to be revealed later Sunday evening, following the start of the "PBB" countdown.
Aina Solano
Aina Solano
Boracay's "Dancing Bombshell," Aina Solano, was the 6th PBB housemate introduced on Sunday.
At the age of 8, Solano and her family moved to Switzerland where she finished her schooling.
After she got heartbroken, the Julia Montes look-alike decided to return home to the country's Paradise Island where she is employed as an instructor of the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy.
Joshua Garcia
Joshua Garcia, dubbed as "Tatay's Boy ng Batangas," was the 7th housemate introduced on Sunday.
The 16-year-old Batangas native grew up with his uncle after her parents separated when he was still a kid.
He also had to stop schooling because of lack of money.
Now reunited with his dad, Joshua is determined to finish his studies and help his family.
Jayme Jalandoni
Sweet, thoughtful and caring. These are the three words that best describe Jayme Jalandoni, the 8th housemate introduced on PBB.
The certified nurse from Las Piñas admits that life hasn't always been kind to her and her family.
Determined to help her family, the "Devoted Daughter ng Las Piñas" joined PBB, hoping to be the next big winner.
Manolo Pedrosa
Manolo Pedrosa, 16, was the 9th contestant introduced in the latest edition of PBB. He does not have a girlfriend and has never had one.
Quezon City's "Wonder Son" is determined to prove that he is a responsible teenager, during his stay in the PBB house.
Maris Racal
The 10th PBB housemate introduced on Sunday was Davao's "Singing Sunshine," Maris Racal.
Daughter of a folk singer in Davao, Maris grew up to be a music lover, and she hopes to show more of her skills inside the PBB house.
Ranty Fortento
The 11th PBB housemate introduced was 26-year-old seaman, Ranty Fortento.
The "Maginoong Marino ng Quezon" had been traveling around the world as an assistant waiter on a cruise ship.
Ranty admitted he once caused a lot of problems for his family. But now, after entering the PBB house, he is determined to make up for his mistakes.
Michelle Gumabao
UAAP Season 75 women's volleyball Most Valuable Player Michelle Gumabao was the 12th housemate to enter the PBB house.
A fierce and competitive athlete, the "Spunky Spiker of Quezon City" has set her eyes to be Most Valuable Housemate in the latest edition of PBB.
Jacob Benedicto
The 13th housemate to enter the PBB house was Jacob Benedicto of Parañaque.
As a Filipino who grew up in Indonesia, Jacob felt estranged when he came back and settled in the Philippines.
However, Paranaque's "Cutie Crooner" found his refuge in theater where he learned to be a total stage performer.
Loisa Andalio
Paranaque's "Talented Darling" Loisa Andalio was the 14th housemate to enter the PBB House.
At a very young age, Loisa performed as a member of a teenage girl group, 3G.
She is very determined to give back to her parents as she starts her life as a PBB contestant.
Fourth and Fifth Solomon
The PBB house also welcomed its 15th and 16th housemates, twins Fourth and Fifth Solomon.
Despite being twins, Fourth and Fifth have different talents and interests.
As two of PBB's newest housemates, Pasay's "Brad Bait" and "Brad Kulit" both want to show everyone their individual talents.
Vickie Rushton
The 17th housemate to enter the PBB house was Vickie Rushton, the undefeated beauty queen of Western Visayas and the 2011 Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder.
But behind her beautiful face, Vickie has had her share of challenges in life. At age 8, her parents separated, and just recently, her mom also went blind.
Dubbed as Bacolod's "Lady Mahinhin," Vickie wants to prove inside the PBB house that there's more to her than just her pretty face.
Alex Gonzaga
Last but not the least, the 18th housemate to enter the PBB house was TV host-actress Alex Gonzaga.
A clueless Alex, who was hosting the PBB's kick-off event, got surprised when her own
sister, Toni, announced that she would be a PBB housemate.
Before entering the PBB house, Toni reminded her "Sassy Sister" one last thing: "Huwag kang gagawa ng ikakahiya ko."
