Angel Locsin defends stepson Joaquin Arce from being called 'nepo baby'
Angel Locsin has stepped up to defend her stepson Joaquin Arce from "nepo baby" labels, which arose during the "Tapatan" challenge inside "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0" and from netizens.
On February 26, 2026, actress Angel Locsin defended her stepson Joaquin Arce against 'nepo baby' accusations through a social media post on X. The controversy arose during Joaquin's participation as one of the Ultimate 8 housemates on 'Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0,' specifically during 'The Ultimate Tapatan' segment where housemates face tough questions. Joaquin, whose father is film producer Neil Arce (whom Locsin married in 2021), faced criticism from netizens who claimed he had unfair advantages due to his family connections.
In her emotional post, Locsin expressed shock at the comments, questioning why Joaquin should be blamed for his family ties. She highlighted her own humble beginnings, recalling how she used to commute by jeepney and bus to her early tapings. Locsin emphasized that her support for Joaquin, including casting 12,000 votes for him, came from hard-earned money rather than privilege, and she even joked about adding more votes out of frustration with critics.
Locsin revealed that Joaquin had auditioned for PBB independently instead of asking her for a project, demonstrating his own initiative. She concluded her defense with the statement, 'Wag bitter. Nakakapanget yan.' During the 'Tapatan' challenge inside the PBB house, Joaquin himself addressed the criticism by insisting that opportunities must be earned and that his family wasn't spending money on votes for him.
The reaction to Locsin's defense has been mixed among netizens. Some support her view that fame isn't a fault and that Joaquin shouldn't be penalized for his family connections, while others maintain that her public endorsement gives him an unfair advantage due to her and Neil Arce's prominence in the entertainment industry. The incident highlights ongoing debates about nepotism in Philippine show business and how children of celebrities navigate their careers while facing public scrutiny.
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