Vin Abrenica on defending brother Aljur, setting good example for daughter

Vin Abrenica (left) with brother Aljur

Vin Abrenica, who worked on the action-thriller “The Revelation” with brother Aljur, said the project made him realize that acting on a set with someone who makes him feel secure and comfortable is actually a big advantage.

“In the beginning, I thought it would be too weird to be with my Kuya, that it was a disadvantage because I’d feel too relaxed on the set,” Vin told reporters during a recent media gathering to promote the film that will have its nationwide theatrical release on June 21.

“It turned out to be an advantage to me when we started shooting our scenes together. It felt good in the sense that, as an actor, you are expected to express specific emotions for specific scenes. When I was with him, the emotions were more pronounced. With all the experiences we went through as siblings, it was easier to relate a specific real-life memory to what’s happening to my character,” Vin explained.

“The Revelation” tells the story of a disturbed man who preys on prostitutes as a way to exact revenge for what happened to him in the past. In the story, Vin is head of the team investigating the series of killings.

During the press conference, Vin also addressed the matter of his always being compared to his older brother, and how some supporters say he is a better actor than Aljur. “I’m flattered that people would say that. However, he is still my brother and I love him. To be honest, I’m thankful for the comments, but I also feel hurt,” Vin pointed out. “I look up to him as a really good actor. He is one of my inspirations. I grew up watching him. I’ve actually seen all of his movies and TV shows. I’m one of his fans.”

Vin often get asked for reactions on Aljur’s highly publicized love life, but he swears that he and his brother aren’t the type to talk about such issues whenever they hang out. Aljur and wife, actress Kylie Padilla, broke up in April 2021. In February 2023, Aljur confirmed he was dating AJ Raval.

Purpose in life

Abrenica (left) with wife Sophie Albert

“The situation might not be the same for other families. We grew up having an alpha-male dad. Our grandfather is an ex-military. We never talk about our respective romantic relationships, probably out of respect. We all think that each of us knows how to handle that particular part of our lives. The only time my kuya and I get to share with each other is when, for example, I open up to him. He is the eldest in the family, so he seldom shares with us. But he always looks out for his younger siblings.”

Vin married longtime girlfriend Sophie Albert in January 2023. They have a 2-year-old daughter, Avianna Celeste.

“Fatherhood changed me,” declared Vin. “I now have a purpose in life. Everything I do is for our daughter. She inspires me in a way that I now want to set my life straight. It’s hard because the question that always pops up in my mind is, ‘Am I now the kind of person I’d want my daughter to end up with in the future?’ I’m working on being that guy by setting a good example. I want to be able to paint a good picture of a father to her. I will give her everything I can so that, eventually, she knows how she should be treated by a guy.”

He admitted that he wasn’t ready to be a father when their daughter arrived two years ago. “I guess you will never be ready. You see, at the time, Sophie and I had been dating for eight years. It wasn’t planned and it happened at the height of the pandemic. We shared the same room, so I witnessed the different stages of her pregnancy. I was part of the journey in such a way that, even though I wasn’t ready, I was forced to by the time she gave birth.”

Returning to acting

Life has been fulfilling so far, Vin said. “I just turned 32, and it’s the best part of my life. I’m so thankful for the present,” he declared, adding that he is now open to having another child with Sophie. “But that’s her body. I have to respect her so I will wait when she’s ready. I hope it will be a boy this time, or maybe, twins. We talk about this often. It’s just that, right now, she is returning to acting again. She has a new soap on GMA 7. I will give her that, especially because she also has dreams to fulfill.”

Vin added that he doesn’t mind that Sophie is working again. “It’s good for her. When you get pregnant, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop living. I’ve seen how her mood has improved, how happy she is that she has something to achieve each day. She is excelling both at work and as a mom. I will let her do what makes her happy because that’s what makes all of us at home happy, too.”

He continued: “She doesn’t need to work, though. We are all aware of her family background. During the eight years we were dating, I was well aware that I needed to level up financially to prove to her parents that I’m worthy of their daughter. In those years, you have not heard of any story of me trying to live beyond my means. I really saved up and made sure to put my money into good investments.”

In an interview in 2012 for the talent search “Artista Academy,” Sophie admitted that her dad is part of the influential Cojuangco clan.

“The Revelation,” directed by Ray An Dulay, also features Ana Jalandoni, Jelai Andres, Lloyd Samartino and Adriana Agcaoili. It is produced by Kate Javier under Hand Held Productions.

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