Angel Locsin defends stepson Joaquin Arce vs 'nepo baby' comments: 'Wag bitter'
Angel Locsin came to the defense of her stepson, Joaquin Arce, against comments claiming he has an "unfair" advantage since he's a "nepo baby."
On X, Locsin responded to social media comments about Joaquin’s alleged advantage as one of the “Ultimate 8” housemates on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 ahead of the Big Night.
"Bihira lang akong mag social media ha. Pero nagulat ako sa comments ng ilang tao dito. Ano namang kasalanan ni Joaquin at naging asawa ko ang dad nya para ma-brand sya as nepo baby? Para namang hindi ako nag dyip o bus papuntang tapings ko dati. Kalevel ko pala si Discaya? Lol," she wrote.
"Pero yung pera ko hindi galing sa nakaw. Yung 12k na boto ko kay Joaquin sa buong journey nya, baka dagdagan ko ma-asar ko lang yung ibang makagawa ng issue," she continued. She went on to say that Joaquin could have asked her for help to get a project, but he ultimately decided to join the reality show.
"My son could have asked me for a project, but ang hiniling nya is mag audition sa PBB. Wag bitter. Nakakapanget yan," she concluded.
Social media users weigh in
The actress’ post was met with mixed reactions, with some echoing her statement.
"Never ako bumoto this season ng PBB. Di rin ako masyadong updated pero parang gusto ko maglapag kay Joaquin. Kasi bakit parang kasalanan ng bata na famous ang parents nya," an X user wrote.
Another X user highlighted Joaquin's strength inside the house, saying his performance speaks for itself.
"[C]onsidered nepo baby man siya o hindi. nambabagsak man kayo ng milyones o hindi. [W]e know Joaquin naman as someone na magaling sa tasks, mabait, at hindi tamad sometimes lang po talaga may mga behavior and bagay rin siyang nagagawa sa loob kaya siguro ganun ang feedback ng ex [housemates]," it wrote.
"Joaquin worked hard for his slot. Napaka-[genuine], humble, caring, positive outlook, kapag may bisita siya lagi nagaasikaso, palaban din sa task, laging natingin sa taas for guidance and grace. Support niyo ung bet nyo without invalidating Wakin's effort to be part of Ultimate 8," another X user added.
Meanwhile, others stressed that they could at least acknowledge the presence of nepotism, noting that it is not necessarily a bad thing.
"The fact that he could ask you for an audition is nepotism itself. If he had auditioned by himself, without ever mentioning you or introducing himself as your son, edi hindi nepo," an X user wrote. "Iba yung corrupt (power abuse) sa nepo (family favouritism)."
"Mahal ka namin Darna dahil sa pagmamahal mo sa mga [P]ilipino pero aminin na natin malaki talaga advantage ni Joaquin sa mga kasamahan niya kasi nga may koneksyon at impluwensiya siya mula sayo at sa daddy niya. You should accept and acknowledge it. Di yung naooffend at ka jan," another X user added.
"Even sa voting. Dahil sinasabi ni Angel na i-vote si [J]oaquin some fans may vote for him for the sake of [A]ngel. Ano ba pakilala kay joaquin? Diba anak ni Neil. Eh sino ba si Neil? Asawa ni [A]ngel. Di na talaga mawawala yun sa bata. Its just a matter of proving the bashers wrong na nepo baby lang siya at walang talent," a Reddit user said.
"I love you, Mx Angel pero I think it won’t hurt naman to acknowledge na may certain advantages talaga when someone comes from a well-known family with connections regardless sa industry. Hindi naman ibig sabihin noon na wala nang sariling effort, pero may head start din talaga compared to others," another Reddit user commented.
Joaquin is the son of Locsin’s husband, Neil Arce, and Lesley Samson. He is among the final eight housemates vying for the Big Winner title in this year’s edition.
Before PBB, he was part of the series Tropang G.O.A.T. and once worked as a runway model.
