Angel Locsin to bashers calling her stepson Joaquin Arce nepo baby: 'Wag bitter. Nakakapanget yan'

Actress Angel Locsin, one of the Philippines' most well-known humanitarians, took to social media to defend her stepson Joaquin Arce from bashers who are calling him "nepo baby."

Nepo baby is a Filipino slang used to describe children or younger family members who benefit from their family’s wealth influence in business or politics.

Angel, 40, is married to filmmaker Neil Arce whose family used to own one of the country's famous brands of ice cream, Arce Dairy. Joaquin, 18, is Neil's son with former beauty queen Leysel Samson.

On X, Angel, who seldom uses social media asked, "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. Pero yung pera ko hindi galing sa nakaw."

"My son could have asked me for a project, but ang hiniling nya is mag audition sa PBB (Pinoy Big Brother). Wag bitter. Nakakapanget yan," Angel said.

'ULTIMATE TAPATAN'

Joaquin is currently one of the contestants in the TV reality competition PBB.

During the  “Ultimate Tapatan” challenge ahead of the finale of PBB Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0. Joaquin and the seven other remaining contestants  were put in the hot seat and required to answer tough, personal questions.

The hosts of the Ultimate Tapatan on February 25 were PBB main host Bianca Gonzales alongside co-host and comedian actor Luis Manzano.

Bianca asked Joaquin about his growth as a person, something he mentions during his journey in the competition.

Joaquin said he counts as his personal achievement the fact that he initiated an open forum among the housemates to address any of their issues with him.

He said that taking the initiative to listen and speak honestly showed how he had matured and improved during his time in the competition.

Then tension arose when ex-housemate Anton Vinzon, 18,  stepped forward with a pointed question about Joaquin’s family background.

The discussion brought up the label “nepo baby,” Some viewers considered Joaquin a nepo baby because of his father Neil.

During this portion of Ultimate Tapatan, the housemates have to decide whether a person is telling a truth or a lie.

Joaquin answereds Anton's question by saying he asked his family not to spend money on him on PBB as he wants to make it on his own.

Anton was convinced and voted “truth,” but most voted “lie.” Online viewers were also divided. Some praised Joaquin for his honesty and said he is worthy of becoming Big Winner.

FRIENDSHIP WITH LELLA

Meanwhile, Angel shared a throwback photo on X with Karla Estrada and Lella, who is also a PBB housemate.

Angel captioned her post, “and fyi lang.. Ganda mo dito momshie @Estrada21Karla. I love you lella,” highlighting the closeness of the families even before the two entered the PBB house.

Lella is the sister of actor Daniel Padilla who showed support for her on X with a simple purple heart emoji, symbolizing Lella’s color in the Ultimate 8.

Actress Kaila Estrada, rumored to be dating Padilla, also showed support for Lella on Instagram.

The “Big Night” of PBB Collab Edition 2.0 will air on February 28, at 7:15 p.m., when the newest Big Winner will finally be revealed.

-Paraluman News