Zen Z: The Ten Breakout Stars on the Cover of Allure Philippines' Wellness Issue
These ten breakout stars from Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition redefine what it means to be well for the next generation.
It feels more like a reunion than a magazine shoot. Somewhere between outfit changes and layout resets, the cast of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition forms a loose circle on the studio floor: laughing, teasing, and play-fighting like cousins at a family gathering.
Esnyr Ranollo, always the spark, stands and playfully challenges Shuvee Etrata to a mock fight. “Parang Avatar!” someone shouts, and the room erupts in laughter. Before long, the entire studio, including the production staff, stylists, makeup artists, even the photographers, is in on the moment. And for a beat, it feels like we were all inside the house with them.
There’s a certain energy when these ten are in the same room. Call it chemistry, call it comfort. But it’s rooted in something much deeper. They’ve cried together, fought, reconciled, healed, prayed, and grown together—for four months under the same roof, and under the scrutiny of cameras and a nation.
These ten young voices were stripped of the trappings that once defined their worth: beauty routines, online validation, and curated identities. What they gained instead was a deeper, more meaningful understanding of wellness: not as vanity, but as self-respect. Not just as skin care or gym time, but as emotional regulation, inner stillness, setting boundaries, and allowing space to grow.
That’s what wellness looked like inside the PBB house: unfiltered, communal, and intensely vulnerable.
In this special cover story, Allure Philippines dives into how these young stars are rewriting the narrative around self-care, proving that wellness isn’t always physical, healing isn’t always visible, and boundaries can be beautiful.
Bianca de Vera walked away with a better understanding of life without the pressure to keep up with a fast-paced world. River Joseph learned to be more open and self-aware. Will Ashley embraced his confidence and slowly began to let his walls down. Ralph de Leon reaffirmed his idea of wellness as a pursuit of balance. AZ Martinez peeled back layers of pressure and discovered the quiet strength of self-compassion. Brent Manalo, once guarded, now allows himself to express his emotions freely.
Mika Salamanca finally reclaimed her narrative, learning to detach from online noise. She now learned not to respond to hate. “I got that from Brent,” she shares. Shuvee Etrata became even more rooted in her island identity, carrying Bantayan with her, no matter how far she’s come. Dustin Yu, quiet and consistent, reminded everyone that care doesn’t have to be performative to be real. And Esnyr Ranollo, known for his comedic characters, stepped fully into his truth—finding power in being seen as his authentic self.
Not all walked away with a title. But all walked away seen.
Inside the house, they were watched by millions. But this time, they’re being truly seen, and in their own terms. Each of them redefines wellness not as a trend, but as an ever-evolving practice. For some, it’s learning when to speak. For others, it’s learning when to stay quiet. For all, it’s about taking up space, not just on screen, but in their own lives.
As they gather again for this Allure Philippines cover shoot, the bond is still palpable. Between shots, they wipe each other’s sweat, share snacks, fix each other’s hair, and take turns making each other laugh. Under the lights and lashes, what emerged wasn’t just a glam reunion. It was a portrait of collective healing.
These ten voices remind us that care can be quiet. That strength can be soft. That boundaries are not walls but bridges to better selves.
For Gen Z, the definition of wellness is evolving. What was once just about physical appearance or staying fit now includes emotional clarity, boundary-setting, community care, and spiritual healing. This new generation, raised on social media and shaped by constant visibility, is rethinking what it means to be well. And perhaps no group embodies this shift more than these ten breakout stars.
In the most-watched house in the country, they learned how to recalibrate wellness. And in doing so, they’ve become mirrors for a generation looking to do the same.
Grab a copy of Allure Philippines’ Wellness Issue here.
Production design: Justine Arcega-Bumanlag
Photographer’s assistants: Rojan Maguyon and Pao Mendoza
Makeup: Anthea Bueno (Bianca de Vera and AZ Martinez), Jake Galvez (Esnyr Ranollo), and Denise Go-Ochoa (Mika Salamanca and Shuvee Etrata)
Grooming: Myckee Arcano (Will Ashley and Brent Manalo), Jake Galvez (River Joseph), and Mickey See (Ralph de Leon and Dustin Yu)
Hair: Myckee Arcano (Will Ashley, Brent Manalo, River Joseph), Bryan Eusebio (Ralph de Leon, Esnyr Ranollo, Dustin Yu), and Renz Pangilinan (Bianca de Vera, Shuvee Etrata, AZ Martinez, Mika Salamanca)
Styling: Joy Bernardo and Jolo Bayoneta of StyLIZed Studio, assisted by Jethro Barrietta, Ayi Custodio , Ashley Jamlang, Beatrize Lagco, and Stephanie Satorre
Art direction: Nicole Almero
Beauty direction: Trina Epilepsia Boutain
Writers: Leira Aquino and Lia Cruz
Special thanks to Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition, Sparkle GMA Artist Center and Star Magic
