"Showbiz is my life... right now," describes John of what showbiz is to him.

    Many people still think of John Prats as a child star, since he started in show business at a young age. "May spiel nga si Toni na sinabi niya sa akin nung birthday ko na, �Baka nakalimutan po natin na ang tingin natin kay John, bata... �Baka nakalimutan po natin na 22 years old na po si John Prats...'-ganyan ganyan," he shares.

    Who would have thought that he would suddenly grow up before everyone's eyes in just 56 days inside Big Brother's house?

Pratty in PBB
    John-or "Pratty" as some of his friends call him-admits that, even before he joined the Celebrity Edition, he was already a fan of the first season of Pinoy Big Brother, a reality show franchised by ABS-CBN from Dutch production company Endemol. "So di ako nag-audition nung audition day talaga," he reveals. "Tinext lang ako ni Direk Lauren, who was my director sa Gmik before, �You wanna join Pinoy Big Brother?' Sabi ko, �Yeah, pasok na ba ako?' Tapos, �No you still have to audition.' Sabi ko, �Okay fine.' Kasi hindi naman yung looks ang [hinahanap] nila, �di ba? More on personality talaga, kung ano yung lalim ng pagkatao mo. Kung may makukuha ba yung mga tao sa'yo. Ganun naman talaga eh."

    He was actually called back for a total of eight times. "So nag-interview ako. Ilang interviews yun," he explains. "Tapos tatawag sila kung babalik na ako. Then, medical check-up. Then, final interview with the Endemol people. Then, pictorial and then, VTR shoot. Then, the Big Night. So nagsunud-sunod siya pero �di ko alam hanggang last minute kung natanggap na ba ako." He also reveals that three days before the Big Night all the housemates were all locked in their hotel rooms with no TVs and cellphones to prepare them for what to expect inside the house.

Life in Big Brother's house, according to John
    There are around 26 cameras in all the rooms of Big Brother's house, including the bathroom. "Sa first week parang, siyempre magbibihis ka, �Uy may nakatingin!' Conscious ka pa, or yung naliligo ka itatago mo pa yung ano mo siyempre," he jokes. "Pero nung nagtagal nagpapakita na kami ng puwet! Sabi namin, �Sige ipalabas niyo �to, ipalabas niyo �to,'" pointing to his butt.

    The basic rule is simple: no communication with the outside world. No TVs, newspapers, phones, cellphones, etc. "Actually, hindi ko ma-explain yung feeling sa loob e," he remarks. "Parang kami-kami lang ang nakakaintindi kasi parang... Like with the Zanjoe and Bianca thing, parang yung closeness kasi namin parang wala ng malisya, yung ganung level na, parang brother-sister, unless may ma-in love talaga dun sa loob... Minsan kapag may secret kaming sasabihin minsan naiisip namin hindi pala secret kasi buong mundo [nakakarinig], may naka-24/7 pa. Parang wala na talaga yung privacy mo and kilalang-kilala ka nila."

    The goal is to survive the season without quitting or getting the boot. Though John didn't turn out to be the Big Winner, he still finished second, winning P500,000. "Hindi pa nga ako nakakapag-shopping e," he admits. "Di ko pa nga alam, siguro itago ko muna sa bangko and kapag may kailangan bilhin."

    He survived 56 days inside the PBB house. Who did he miss the most? "My family lang talaga," he reveals. "And Nancy at that time."

To be continued...
YES! (Y): What is your character's name in Aalog-alog?
John (JP): Johnny. Si Zanjoe, Banjo Gonzales.

Y: What are the things you used to take for granted and now have learned to appreciate?
JP: Siguro my work now. Sobrang dati kasi kapag maraming ginagawa, parang, �Ano ba �yan ang daming ginagawa.' Tapos there was a time na, parang, nawala ng konti, anong nangyari dun, parang, nami-miss mo. Paglabas ko [ng PBB] mas naging priority ko siya, mas minahal ko siya. Hangga't nandiyan go lang ng go kasi you'll never know until when e. So just, you know, go with the flow and work, work, work. Bata pa naman ako, parang, wala naman akong karapatan magreklamo, parang, bata pa naman ako e...

Y: Has your hair grown back?
JP: Oo! Bilis nga e!
(John shows us his hairy leg.)
JP: Ang bilis 'no? Hassle nga e. Gusto ko ngang ipa-wax ulit!
He says jokingly.

    John stars in ABS-CBN's newest sitcom Aalog-alog, which will make its premiere telecast on June 30.