Toni Gonzaga received love and support from Bianca Gonzalez and Mariel Rodriguez after announcing her departure from Pinoy Big Brother as host on Wednesday.
ABS-CBN’s MJ Felipe earlier reported that Toni endorsed her hosting duties in the Kapamilya reality game show to fellow PBB host Bianca.
PBB later issued a statement saying it respects Toni’s decision to leave the show.
“Toni has been part of our reality show for 16 years and we thank her for helping bring the stories of our housemates to our viewers,” read PBB’s statement.
Reacting to the statement Toni posted via Instagram about her “stepping down as a main host” from PBB, Mariel commented, “I love you Toni. You are a friend and a sister FOREVER ❤️ welcome to the outside world, Toni.”
Toni was among the original hosts of PBB alongside Mariel and Willie Revillame, which first aired in 2005. Mariel left PBB in 2010 after transferring to another network, but hosted the show again from 2015 to 2016. Bianca, meanwhile, joined PBB as a host after her stint as a housemate in the first celebrity edition in 2006.
Under Mariel’s comment, Bianca left words of praise for Toni. “Nobody can ever take your place and do it like you @celestinegonzaga, nag-iisa ka. Love you both,” said Bianca.
Mariel further wrote, “our friendship goes beyond work, beyond religion, beyond politics… beyond it all.”
“Go make us proud B! You got this! 👍🏼 we believe in you!,” added Mariel.
The message of support came on the heels of Toni’s decision to step down from PBB following her hosting the proclamation rally of her wedding godfather, Bongbong Marcos, with Sara Duterte. Mariel on the other hand is a known supporter of President Duterte along with husband Robin Padilla, who’s running for senator. Bianca, on the other hand, is a supporter of VP Leni Robredo, who is running for president in the 2022 national polls.
Meanwhile, fondly referred to as “Kuya’s Angels” Toni, Bianca and Mariel reflected on how working together as co-hosts in the show deepened their friendship, in an episode of I Feel U last January 2021.
“I think malaking bagay talaga ‘yung daily work together for how many years. Pero siguro ‘yung parang nagpa-crossover from just workmates to sisters, one is siyempre ‘yung mga life milestones natin. Halos sabay-sabay in different years lang,” said Bianca.
“Dati mga heartbreak, mga iniwan, mga nasawi tapos nakahanap ng bagong pag-ibig, nakahanap ng ‘the one,’ kinasal, nagkaanak, magkakasunod ‘yun eh,” she added.
