Joaquin Arce, nagpapasalamat kay Angel Locsin matapos siyang ipagtanggol sa “nepo baby” criticism

• Former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate Joaquin Arce said he was deeply moved by the support of his stepmother, Angel Locsin, during his time inside the house
• The actress earlier spoke up online to defend him against critics who labeled him a “nepo baby”
• Arce expressed gratitude, saying Locsin was among the first people he saw after leaving the reality show.
• Despite not winning the competition, Arce said he remains thankful for the overwhelming support from fans

Former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate Joaquin Arce expressed heartfelt gratitude to his stepmother, actress Angel Locsin, after she publicly defended him from criticism during his stint on the reality show, ABS-CBN reported.

Arce shared his appreciation during a thanksgiving lunch with supporters in Quezon City on Saturday.

The young personality said Locsin’s support meant a lot to him, especially after she spoke out online against critics who labeled him a “nepo baby” while he was still inside the famous house.

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“I could not have done it without her,” Arce said during the interview.

Before the show’s Big Night, Locsin posted a lengthy message online addressing the backlash against Arce and calling out people who questioned his place in the competition.

The former housemate revealed that Locsin was among the first family members he reunited with after leaving the show, highlighting how meaningful her encouragement had been throughout his journey.

“Pinagtanggol ako ni Darna. She went out of her hiatus just to support me,” Arce said.

He also mentioned that several close relatives welcomed him after he stepped out of the house, which made the moment even more emotional for him.

“She is one of the first people I met after coming out,” Arce said.

Although Arce admitted that winning the reality competition was part of his goal, he said he has learned to appreciate the experience and the strong support he received from fans.

“I was in it to win it,” Arce said.

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The former housemate also noted that the backing he received during the Big Night was genuine, adding that his supporters did not need to spend money just to push him forward in the competition.

“I am grateful I got there,” Arce said.

For Arce, the encouragement from viewers and loved ones has been more than enough reward after his Pinoy Big Brother journey.

Angel Locsin remains one of the Philippines’ most respected screen icons, known for starring in hit television dramas such as Darna, Mulawin, and The General’s Daughter. Beyond her acting career, she has also gained international recognition for her humanitarian efforts and was previously named a Hero of Philanthropy by Forbes for her quick disaster-response initiatives. In recent years, the actress has largely stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her private life and long-standing charitable work.

Previously, Angel reacted to a controversial remark made by Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay about Anne Curtis during a congressional hearing on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. The comment, which was later posted by Inquirer on Instagram, quickly circulated online and sparked discussions among netizens. In the comment section of the post, Angel expressed disbelief and frustration over the statement, further fueling public conversation about the issue.

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Earlier, Angel also shared a glimpse of her stepson Joaquin Arce’s first moments back home after spending four months inside the Pinoy Big Brother house. She recalled how the family stayed up together until early afternoon, observing that Joaquin still carried a few habits from his time on the show, including instinctively reaching for a lapel microphone. According to Angel, he was eager to tell stories about his experiences behind the scenes. Supporters later flooded the post with warm messages welcoming him back and celebrating his excitement to reconnect with family and fans.

Source: KAMI.com.gh