This Sunday (October 4), the whole country will get to see the official housemates of Pinoy Big Brother Double UP. The third edition of ABS-CBN's reality show will have its "magical opening" starting 7:30 pm on the Kapamilya Network.

The ubiquitous Kuya (otherwise known as Big Brother) will finally reveal the identities of the newest housemates who were chosen from 17 audition sites and meticulously screened from among 57,824 applicants. 

According to PBB business unit head Lauren Dyogi, "This is the longest, most tedious PBB audition we ever had. We also had the most number of people who auditioned. We had more than 50,000 including the last two auditions we had in Japan and San Francisco."

He also points out that the twist of "Double UP" is a first in the history of the "Big Brother" franchise worldwide. He says the changes involve "the look of the house and the technical requirements of the show. It brings double happiness to the viewers."

When asked to describe the changes that were done to Bahay ni Kuya, he revealed, "The lot is just the same. 'Yong configuration lang ang binabago every season. Nabago ‘yong itsura ng interior because may pakulo this season. May confession room pa rin, dining, kitchen, bedrooms. The swimming pool will still be there."

In fact, the cost of renovating the blue and yellow house was roughly the same amount that could have been used to construct a house in an exclusive Alabang subdivision.

During the press con of PBB, Direk Lauren emphasized that even though some of the former housemates have become mainstream stars, they did not envision the reality show to be a stepping stone for those wanting to penetrate the entertainment industry.

"Hindi naman talaga artista search ang PBB," he clarifies. "Nagkakataon lang na talagang nakakahanap kami ng mga pumapasok sa bahay ni Kuya na magiging sikat paglabas. Noong season one si Sam [Milby] at si Jayson [Gainza] ang pinakasikat. Si Zanjoe [Marudo of Celebrity Edition] kahit hindi nanalo napakasikat ngayon. Si Ejay [Falcon of Teen Edition Season 2] sikat ngayon dahil sa Katorse. I think ang pinakasumikat talaga sina Sam, Kim Chiu at Gerald Anderson [both products of the first Teen Edition]." 

The former housemates of PBB will come in full force to welcome the new members of the PBB family and so will the program's trio of hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzalez, and Toni Gonzaga.

Viewers will soon meet the housemates, some of whom have been dubbed as the Young Widow ng Pampanga, Struggling Mom ng Davao, Simpatikong Kusinero ng Batangas, Sassy Vamp ng Cebu, Romantic Stud ng Samar, Richie Rich ng Cebu, Inday Kengkay ng Gen San, Conservative Pharmacist ng Tondo, and Boy Astig ng Mindoro. 

Sino sa kanila ang tatagal sa mga dobleng pasabog ni Kuya? 

Find out when Pinoy Big Brother Double UP airs on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida block, weekdays right after Dahil May Isang Ikaw. 

Stay tuned to Studio 23 for the weekly highlights inside the PBB house on PBB Weekend Primetime every Saturday and Sunday on 6 pm starting October 10. Also see raw footage from the house on Pinoy Big Brother Streaming at 1 pm starting October 12.

Get double the features on Pinoy Big Brother Über and double the fun on PBB Double Uplate.