Angel Locsin Speaks Out After Stepson Joaquin Arce Is Called a “Nepo Baby”
The actress broke her social media silence to address comments about Joaquin’s Pinoy Big Brother stint, emphasizing that he chose to audition on his own.
Angel Locsin has never been one to engage in online noise—but when it came to her stepson, she made an exception.
In a rare post on X, the actress addressed comments labeling Joaquin Arce as a “nepo baby,” after his appearance on Pinoy Big Brother sparked online debate. Joaquin is the son of Angel’s husband, film producer Neil Arce, from a previous relationship.
Angel’s message was direct and personal. “Bihira lang akong mag social media ha. Pero nagulat ako sa comments ng ilang tao dito,” she wrote, questioning why Joaquin should be criticized for circumstances beyond his control. “Ano namang kasalanan ni Joaquin at naging asawa ko ang dad niya para ma-brand siya as nepo baby?”
She also pushed back against assumptions about privilege, drawing from her own experience of building her career independently. “Para namang hindi ako nag-[jeep] o bus papuntang tapings ko dati,” she said, referencing the early realities of her rise to stardom.
Additionally, Angel clarified that Joaquin did not rely on family connections to enter the reality show. “My son could have asked me for a project, but ang hiniling niya is mag audition sa PBB,” she shared. “Wag bitter. Nakakapanget yan.”
Angel has long been known for keeping her personal life private. Since marrying Neil Arce in 2021, she has largely stepped back from acting and maintained a quieter public presence. The last few times she broke her social media hiatus were also to express support for Joaquin, whether celebrating his milestones, praising his growth, or encouraging him during his Pinoy Big Brother journey.
Joaquin has since advanced far in the competition, earning a place in the season’s Final Four after surviving multiple eviction rounds and securing enough public votes to remain inside the house. His progression came after completing several tasks and challenges, including a memory-based challenge that gave him an advantage during the Big Jump phase. His inclusion among the finalists places him one step closer to the title of PBB's Big Winner.
