Voluntary exit of 2 PBB celeb housemates

The unexpected voluntary exit of housemates Mcoy Fundales and Ethel Booba from the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition II has sparked a flurry of mixed reactions from avid followers, particularly in the world wide web. The band frontman and stand-up comedienne left Big Brother's house before dawn last Thursday, a decision preceded by a heated exchange that erupted inside the confession room between Mcoy and Big Brother.  

In a media update from ABS-CBN, Mcoy took offense when Big Brother discussed the issue of plagiarism with the housemates with regards to the script of the indie film they were shooting for their weekly task. Mcoy insisted that while the short story "Ghosts of August" (by Gabriel Garcia Marquez) was discussed among them while brainstorming earlier, their group’s concept was hardly the same.

While it could be understandable that Mcoy was sensitive to any plagiarism issue as it will be remembered that his band Orange and Lemons became controversial after their hit song “Pinoy Ako,” the theme of PBB season one, was alleged as a rip-off from a British single, Mcoy, however, claimed that he wasn't miffed at the “plagiarism” argument that Big Brother was invoking. Instead, he said he felt insulted when Big Brother cut him while he was still talking.

Even after a heart-to-heart talk with Big Brother, Mcoy stormed out of the confession room and announced to the housemates that he was quitting. He took off his lapel mic, saying he no longer wanted to wear it and that he found it hard to argue with a voice whose face he could not even see. "Paano ka ba maniniwala sa taong hindi mo nakikita?" the singer said.  

Taking after Mcoy's cue, Ethel also declared that she was joining him. Ethel, who was tagged in the PBB celeb edition as the "ultimate pasaway" housemate after figuring in several high-profile controversies in the past, was reportedly angry at Big Brother's failure to reveal the reason behind the housemates' most recent sacrifice as well as her concerns on PBB-host-turned-celebrity-guest Mariel Rodriguez's real status inside the house.

When the news item came out in the entertainment news portal PEP.ph Thursday night, it generated more than 200 posts, all varying in reaction—revealing a divided stand on the issue, from comments slamming the irrational moves of the two, to calling the latest happening as a gimmick to boost ratings, to asking Big Brother to be humble enough and apologize to Mcoy, to even appealing to the people behind PBB to make it as a rule to prohibit voluntary exits save for reasons due to poor health and sickness, or else the show will lose steam and interest.

One donutcruz posted on Pep.ph: "(Mcoy) forgot that it's a game. Like in every game, PBB has pre-set rules. And like in any game he should have prepared himself -- psychologically, emotionally, etcetera. Whatever he will rant about against Big Brother it doesn't change the fact that he lost."

Another posted: "Si Ethel walang patience, reklamo niya na mahirap ang task...buti nalang lumabas siya."

On the other hand, PBB.rebelpixel.com, a web blog devoted to the widely-followed reality TV show, commented: "Of course many of us would agree, and somehow sympathize with Ethel Booba’s and Mcoy Fundales’ decision to leave the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 after all the things they’ve just gone through. Though Ethel has always been known as a consistent 'pasaway,' she does make a few points regarding the sacrifices they were made to endure, despite no signs of any rewards whatsoever. Obviously, she got fed up and couldn’t take any more of it, hastily requesting to leave the house. Though she’s responsible for her actions, Big Brother could’ve handled the situation much better."

PBB.rebelpixel.com further contended, "[As for Mcoy], having been insinuated upon that he might have produced a plagiarized story for a task they were supposed to complete, the Orange & Lemons frontman took insult and was visibly disturbed on the attack on his artistic integrity. After all, this isn’t the first time he is questioned in such a way, after their song 'Pinoy Ako' for the very first PBB was subjected to scrutiny for it being [alleged] as a blatant [copy] of a song from an old British band.

"In both cases, the problem could’ve been handled much better if Big Brother chose to simply let the situation die down. Instead, he chose to lose his cool and present offensive questions to both housemates, resulting in their voluntary exit. He could’ve handled it much better, and there’s no one else to blame."

As of press time, there's no word yet if the voluntary exit is irrevocable or if they still have a chance to return to the show. Both Ethel and Mcoy were already touted as strong contenders for the Big Four. Some zealous viewers, nevertheless, have wondered if the recently developments were part of a “scripted ploy” to hype up the show, while other followers strongly believed that they were genuine.

One fame posted on Starmometer.com: "I think it was genuine. Notice how ABS is downplaying the whole thing, it was not even front page news to them in TV Patrol. It was the last segment."

The TV Patrol news report referred was the short interview with PBB Business unit head Direk Laurenti Dyogi who expressed his sadness over the sudden turn of events. "Mcoy and Ethel were two of the stronger contenders for the Big Four. Yun lang nakakalungkot. I would have wanted to see how they'll play it until the end. Pero siguro hanggang dun lang talaga ang plano nila."

After racer Gaby Dela Merced, Mcoy and Ethel were the second and third housemates who opted for voluntary exit this season. Now that the Mcoy and Ethel are out of the game, how will the remaining housemates inside the house tackle weekly and daily tasks? Who will emerge the leader to take over Mcoy, and who will make them laugh the way Ethel did? Perhaps another important question would be, would Big Brother take in new celebrity housemates to replace them?

It was reported on DZMM that ABS-CBN’s latest Kapamilya star Angel Locsin is scheduled to enter the PBB house as celebrity guest. The exact date as to when this will happen and what special task Angel will be tasked to perform inside remain unclear. Prior to Angel's visit, TV host Kris Aquino also entered the house and cooked for the housemates.

Angel will star in the Kapamilya network’s latest TV series, “La Loba Blanca,” and will be shooting her first movie with actor Piolo Pascual under Star Cinema.