'Pinoy Big Brother' gets underway

Big Brother has finally launched into the Philippines.

Twelve housemates entered the 'Pinoy Big Brother' compound last night (Sunday), where they will remain for up to 100 days.

The house was built in the country's largest city, Quezon City, at a cost of around 18 million pesos (£180,000) and features two living rooms, a garden and swimming pool.

Around 35,000 hopefuls had applied to be on the show. "It was not people with good looks, gorgeous bodies, or fantastic talents that we were looking for," said director Laurenti Dyogi of the selection process. "It was people with very interesting and expressive personalities-and the more unique, the better. For as long as they can pass a series of tests that would show that they have no violent and suicidal tendencies, we were willing to consider them to be in the final 12. And that's regardless of their profession, educational background and religion."

A priest will be allowed into the house every Sunday in order to give mass for the Catholic housemates, but otherwise the standard 'no contact with the outside world' rule will apply.

The winner will take home one million pesos (£10,000), a new house and a brand new Nissan Frontier Titanium 3.