Mika Salamanca Spills On Brent Manalo's GMA Gala 2025 Proposal—And What She Kept In Her Bag For Both Of Them

Yup, the two were quite inseparable at the gala, we're not complaining one bit! When we caught up with Mika for a quick chat right before the event, we asked her about attending with Brent.

As we all know, Brent—a Kapamilya star—invited Mika to be his date for the event. It was an unusual move, since it’s typically GMA artists who ask someone to be their plus-one. That's why Mika says the invitation came as a surprise. "Hindi ko po talaga in-expect 'yung proposal. Kasi GMA Gala siya, dapat yung nag-aaya talaga is from GMA, pero—taga-ABS-CBN siya, pero siya pa nag-aya. Natuwa po talaga ako," she told Cosmopolitan Philippines.

Truly, fans were delighted. Wearing a Mak Tumang gown, Mika flaunted her stunning visuals. She was a vision in her white feathered ensemble that speaks elegance all over.

Mika describes her gown by saying, "Yung inspiration po sa look namin is very timeless and simple. Gusto ko po talaga pagka-naglakad ako 'dun and naki-halubilo, makaka-move around ako talaga." Moreover, the feathers do pay homage to her character in Sang'gre, named Anaca.

Behind Mika’s glamorous gala look was an unexpected plus-one in her bag: a bottle of hot sauce, LOL. She came prepared—not just for herself, but for Brent, too—and happily explained why it’s a non‑negotiable essential for her at events like this.

"Hot sauce, kasi pareho kami ni Brent mahilig sa spicy food. Like sobrang spicy food. Ako even before PBB pa, meron akong laging sauce, hot sauce, chili flakes," Mika said. "Bibigyan ko siya [Brent] ng hot sauce, para dalhin niya kahit saan siya dalhin ng mundo."

From the proposal all the way to their first look at each other’s outfits for the night, Brent and Mika kept things simple—but in the most lavish way. In a video uploaded on Instagram, Brent is seen picking up Mika from her hotel room with a bouquet of white roses (her favorite!). It was such a warm, genuine moment between the two. 🥰

A year ago, the content creator was on a very different path. Today, she’s stepping into stardom—but with her feet firmly on the ground. That much was clear from the moment she joined Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition. Inside the house, Mika stood out as a housemate who put others before herself.

Even after leaving the PBB house, that same heart continues to shine through everything she does. ICYDK, the Big Winner donated her entire cash prize to Duyan ni Maria Children’s Home and Orphanage in Mabalacat, Pampanga. She even joined an outreach program on July 12, 2025.

Mika has shared that winning was never her ultimate goal—she simply wanted to do her best. For her, joining PBB was a way to reintroduce herself to the world. In an interview with GMA, she even described her win as nothing short of a “miracle.” Above all, she expressed deep gratitude to everyone who voted for her and Brent, and to those who went out of their way to support them throughout the competition. 

"To be honest po, wala naman po talaga sa list ko gawin sa Bahay ni Kuya ang pagiging Big Winner. Pero in my head, if a miracle happens and manalo dahil sa taong-bayan, I want to give the winnings kasi, for me, to feel like I actually deserve it, I want to give it back to the people who put me here in the first place," she said in the interview.

She declared, "That's what I think a Big Winner should do."