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Toni Gonzaga defends PBB ‘nude challenge’

Toni Gonzaga says she will even ask her sister Alex Gonzaga to take the challenge with her (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA IMAGES)

Did ABS-CBN’s reality show “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) All In” cross the line by coming up with a nude painting challenge?

PBB host Toni Gonzaga defended the show by saying that it  just aims to test a person’s character. She added that Endemol, the  international television production and distribution company that created and runs PBB,  approved all the challenges in the show.

Test of character

“Everything is just really to test a person's principles and values na kinalakihan. Kapag nagbigay ng go-signal at na-approve iyon (ng Endemol), ibig sabihin may kabuuang concept iyon na makakatulong sa tao na binigyan ng challenge na iyon. Alam naman ni Kuya (Big Brother), alam naman ng PBB yung limitation niya,” The Yahoo Celebrity Awards 2014 Female TV Host of the Year nominee said at the press conference of her newest album “Celestine” on Tuesday, June 10.

It will be recalled that a recent PBB episode showed “Kuya” challenging female housemates Jayme

PBB Housemate Jayme Jalandoni
PBB Housemate Jayme Jalandoni

Jalandoni and Michelle Gumabao to pose for a nude painting session.

Toni says Jayme refused because it went against her beliefs.  The housemate then chose Gumabao to take the challenge as well, upon “Kuya’s’ instructions. Gumabao’s sobs, according to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) showed that the challenge went against her religious beliefs as well.

Issue of concern

The episode became an issue of concern for different sectors, among them senators Pia Cayetano, Nancy Binay and the MTRCB, which summoned ABS-CBN to a meeting.

MTRCB to meet 'PBB: All In’ execs over nude painting challenge

While Toni admitted that the challenge is an issue of concern, she said that the network has moved on from it.

“Of course it’s an issue kasi ina-address ng lahat. Pero tapos na kasi yung challenge, hindi naman ginawa ni Jayme. So nag-move on kaming lahat. Tapos na yung challenge.”

ABS-CBN Corporate Communications head Bong Osorio said the network will cooperate with MTRCB.

Used to getting criticisms

So did PBB go beyond the boundaries of decency?

“There are people who can do those things, who can shed clothes for art. May mga taong kayang gumawa noon at may hindi kayang gawin iyon,” Toni replied.

She added that she and show’s staff are used to getting criticisms by now.

“Every season, hindi pwedeng walang issue or controversy. Sanay na. Wala akong major reaction kasi ganoon talaga.”

Not scripted

Toni admitted accusations that the show is scripted affected her.

“I know from the fact that when we did season one to this day, talagang walang script ang PBB. Ang script lang nasa akin, ang script lang yung spiels ko, iyon lang ang natatanggap ko. I was so affected when that issue came out. Sabi ko, 'Bakit laging ganoon yung sinasabi nila?' Sabi sa akin ni direk Lauren (Dyogi),

'Naaapektuhan ka pa ba doon?”

She added, “If you know the truth and you're holding on to the truth, you cannot be destroyed by the lies and the pestilence of other people.”
‘Celestine’

Toni is promoting her newest album, whose title carries her real name, Celestine. It includes the carrier single "This Love Is Like,” which Toni herself wrote.

She also wrote another track, “Awit Ni Ginny.”

“I’m really thankful that this album is named after my real name because it reminds me of who I really am, what my core is. Sino ka ba talaga? You go back to your roots, pagkatao mo. Kung sino ako, anak talaga ako. Nangarap, nagsumikap kaya kahit papaano nagkaroon ng mga ganitong bagay.”

Other songs in the album are  "Got You," "Finally," "Sweetest Song," "Oh Boy," "Di Ba Halata," "Kahit Na" (Remix), the Moophs remix of "This Love Is Like,” and Toni's version of "Starting Over Again."