The celebrity couple surprised the housemates and led an emotional session on the memories they want to forget and the ones they want to keep
MARIAN RIVERA and DINGDONG DANTES – The real-life celebrity couple are the newest guest housemates of “Pinoy Big Brother: Collab 3.0,” walking into Bahay ni Kuya on the show’s Monday episode on November 2, 2026, and turning their visit into one of the most emotional nights of the young season.
Their arrival was first teased at the end of the Sunday, November 1 episode, when the show’s official social media accounts revealed that the couple, fondly called DongYan by fans, would be surprising the housemates inside the famous house.
Before the pair stepped in, the housemates were given a fun challenge: dress up as characters from Marian’s and Dingdong’s past roles and copy their famous poses. The couple then showed up in person, much to the delight of the excited group.
The visit soon took a more serious turn. Big Brother tasked Marian and Dingdong with leading the housemates in opening up about two kinds of memories: those they would rather forget, and those they want to remember forever.
Some of the stories were painful. Actress Mikee Quintos shared her regret over not spending time with her late grandmother in the days before she passed away. Others looked back on happier moments, like Ethan Benares, who recalled his last Christmas with his late grandfather.
The theme of the activity was no accident. Marian and Dingdong are set to star together in the upcoming movie “Remember,” where they play an estranged couple who have forgotten what it means to love each other.
In the film, the pair find themselves pretending to be together again for the sake of their daughter, whose memory is fading because of an illness. As they look back on their past, they learn that love has a long memory, and that sometimes all it needs is one miracle to remember.
“Remember” is directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar and is a co-production of Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, AgostoDos Pictures and Regal Entertainment. It opens in cinemas nationwide on November 11. Marian earlier admitted she almost passed on the film’s overseas shoot.
For fans, seeing the couple share the screen again in a heartfelt story is a treat. Marian and Dingdong, who tied the knot in December 2014, remain one of the most loved celebrity pairs in Philippine showbiz.
“PBB: Collab 3.0” brings together 16 housemates made up of celebrities, social media stars and ordinary netizens. The new season has already produced trending moments, including the ‘RobKee’ kilig between Mikee Quintos and Robbie Jaworski.
The reality show airs Mondays to Fridays at 9:35 p.m., Saturdays at 6:15 p.m. and Sundays at 4:45 p.m.