Former beauty queen and Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate Samantha Bernardo recently expressed her admiration for actress Ashley Ortega, one of the celebrity housemates in the latest edition of PBB Collab.

In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Samantha shared how deeply moved she was by Ashley’s confession room episode, which resonated with her as she enjoyed the new season of the hit Kapamilya reality show.

“It’s really touching and I was moved because there are also happening in my life na noong pagpasok ko po sa (Pinoy) Big Brother, akala ko you really know yourself but tama siya, mayroon talagang thing sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya na para kang may kinakausap. Parang you’re really be self-reflective and yung mga bagay na akala mo ma-e-escape mo here,” Samantha shared.

The beauty queen-turned-reality star also reflected on how her own PBB experience allowed her to show her vulnerable and authentic self, much like Ashley is doing now.

“In the outside world, you can meet you friends, we can have an escape, doon wala ka talagang escape. Kaya naman na-appreciate ko yung vulnerability niya (Ashley) and pagiging totoo niya doon,” she added.

READ: Ashley Ortega hopes to reconcile with her mom: ‘I’m just waiting for you’

Samantha hopes that more celebrities will show their genuine selves inside the house, just like Ashley has.

“Sana mas marami pang celebrity na magpakita ng side katulad ni Ashley. It can be negative or positive to other people and also the fans, but at the end of the day, ang mahalaga ay nagpakatotoo siya sa sarili niya at nakisama din siya sa ibang housemates,” she stated.

Samantha was one of the official housemates of Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10, where she finished in third place. Singer and actress Anji Salvacion emerged as the ultimate big winner of their batch.

Reflecting on her experience four years ago, Samantha shared that what she misses most about being a housemate is the bonding moments with fellow contestants.

“Pinakanamimiss ko being a housemate is really your bonding. Alam mo ngayon with the advent of social media, nakakamiss yung walang social media. I promise to myself na every quarter magkakaroon ako ng social media detox and I’ve been doing that and the last time I did is was, I was in the 2 weeks trip with my mom and my brother,” she said.

Samantha also highlighted the value of living in the moment and appreciating the real world, a lesson she learned from her time inside the iconic yellow house.

“Sobrang nakaka-enjoy kasi minsan nakakalimutan natin i-cherish yung mga bagay na nandito lang sa natural world. Just specifically outside world but really being with nature. I feel like nature heals kaya naman I encourage everyone na nandito sa outside world, be not so mean, be kind, because you really don’t know as well what are the housemate has been going through,” she added.

Beyond her PBB experience, Samantha shared her joy in living a private and happy married life with her non-showbiz husband, Scott Moore.

“Ang saya kase my husband is non-showbiz. Nagulat nga siya na parang 'Samantha Bernardo married a non-showbiz.' Sabi niya, ‘Oh my God I don’t have even a name in the column,'” she shared.

The couple enjoys traveling together and plans to expand their family in the near future.

“Honestly, privacy is power. I’m so happy because I travelled 22 countries if I’m not  mistaken for the past year. Nakakapagod but these are the moments that I will cherish kasi kapag nagkababy na kami, baka hindi na ‘to mangyari,” she shared.

“Nakakatuwa lang, nakakataba ng puso. Too good to be true sometimes, but I’m so grateful with everything that’s happening in my life,” she added.

READ: Samantha Bernardo shares her love story with husband Scott Moore

Samantha and Scott officially tied the knot in April 2024 in an intimate wedding in Cebu. The picturesque ceremony was attended by some of Samantha’s closest friends from the pageant and showbiz industries.