Aljur’s brother gives showbiz a try

Vin Abrenica was one of the standouts among the 16 finalists of TV5’s reality talent search “Artista Academy” when they were presented to the entertainment media on Sunday, August 5.

As his surname suggests, the 21-year-old showbiz aspirant from Pampanga is the brother of GMA-7’s Aljur Abrenica.

“I didn’t see myself na papasok ako sa showbiz dati,” Vin told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! and other members of the press in an interview.

In fact, Vin said he already had offers to enter show business before. But instead of following the path of his older brother, he decided to finish a Culinary Arts course. However, as he was completing his internship requirements for school, Vin realized his true dream is to entertain others.

“Noong andun na po ako sa OJT (on-the-job training) ko, naisip ko, after ng graduation ko, pupunta na po ako ng Batangas (where his family has a resort and restaurant business). Pero naisip ko na gusto kong sundan yung puso ko na gusto ko pala mag-entertain ng tao,” he said.

Vin added, “So hinanda ko po yung sarili ko physically. Saka yung mga talents ko na-enhance ko pa po. Nag-gitara po ako, nag-sayaw po ako, kumakanta-kanta po ako kahit sa banyo lang.”

Why not ‘Protégé’?

Since his older brother is already a big star in GMA-7, why didn’t Vin enter the Kapuso network’s reality talent search “Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break”?

“Sa akin po kasi, nagsisimula pa lang po ang TV5. Nagsisimula pa lang din po ako. Parang fresh start po kami pareho,” Vin said. He also dismissed rumors that Aljur discouraged him from entering the GMA-7 artista search.

Vin further explained that he joined “Artista Academy” because “ayoko pong mag-shortcut.”

“Gusto ko pong daanin yung natural process. Gusto ko pong maging artista, kailangan ko pong paghirapan na maging artista,” he added, noting that the TV5 reality show is curriculum-based care of Wilma Galvante’s Asian Academy of Television Arts.

“Kailangan ko pong pagdaanan at pagaralan yung mga steps po bago makarating sa taas.”

Comparisons

Vin is also aware that he will inevitably be compared to Aljur. And he knows it comes with advantages and disadvantages.

“Sa negative po, nasasaktan din po ako (macompare) kasi kapatid ko po siya. Mahal na mahal ko po siya. Ayoko po yung sinasabi sa akin na hihigitan ko raw po siya. Para sa akin, hindi ko siya tinitignan bilang kalaban,” he explained. “Sa positive po, nakikilala po ako bilang kapatid niya. Masaya po ako dun. Proud po ako.”

Vin also said, “Yung comparisons naman po, normal naman po yun. Pero yung mga nanlalait na po, siyempre masakit na po 'yun. 'Dun po ako nasasaktan.”

How will he move away from his brother’s shadow?

“I’ll just do my best. Gagawin ko po lahat ng best ko. Kung ano po ang kailangang gawin na trabaho gagawin ko dahil ito po ang pinili kong path ko,” he said.

Vin added he is not competing with Aljur.

“Ang bond po namin ni kuya, it’s my treasure. Sobrang you can’t imagine how close we are. Pareho kami ng clothes, pareho kami ng room, yung car ko galing sa kanya. Lahat pareho kami. I don’t see him as my competition. I see him as an older brother,” Vin said.  

“Hindi ko po siya iniisip as competition. Gagawin po niya ang best niya at gagawin ko naman ang best ko. He’s my brother. I highly respect the man.”

Pointers

The Kapuso even gave the Kapatid pointers.

“Sabi niya, being an actor is not being pogi lang. Kailangan nag-aaral din at nag-iimprove. Kailangan panoorin ko raw sarili ko,” Vin recalled.

He added, “Kung may kailangan daw po ako sa kanya, andyan lang po siya para sa akin. Isang tawag lang daw po.”

The other finalists of “Artista Academy” are Akihiro Blanco, Alberto Bruno, Benjo Leoncio, Brent Manzano, Chris Leonardo, Chanel Morales, and Julia Quisumbing.

Completing the list of finalists are Malak So Shdifat, Marvelous Alejo, Nicole Estrada, Shaira Mae, Sophie Albert, Stephanie Rowe, Jon Orlando, and Mark Neumann.

“Artista Academy” airs daily after “Wil Time Big Time” on TV5.

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