Brothers Paolo and JC Alcantara. Image: Instagram/@paoloalcantara_
“Pinoy Big Brother” alum Paolo Alcantara sees his older brother, “Drag You and Me” actor JC Alcantara as a father figure while they live together away from their parents.
In an interview with “Magandang Buhay,” which aired on June 19, the younger Alcantara shared how his brother—who’s also the family’s bread winner—has been like a father to him ever since he moved in with the “An Inconvenient Love” star.
“Parang siya na rin ‘yung tatay ko kasi po dalawa lang po kami sa bahay. So, siya ngayon ‘yung nag-aalaga sa’kin, nagpapakain, nagpapaaral,” explained Paolo. (It’s like he’s my father since it’s just the two of us at home. So, right now, he’s the one taking care of me, providing my meals, sending me to school.)
JC admitted that the transition from living alone to having someone in his care hasn’t been easy, saying that there is difficulty adjusting to the new setup. “Meron na ‘kong priority, meron na ‘kong binabantayan,” explained the actor who is six years older than Paolo. (I already have a priority, I already have someone to look after.)
The brothers—who originally hail from Nueva Ecija—shared a past incident that tested JC after he assumed a bigger responsibility over his brother.
“No’ng time na ‘yon, wala siya sa bahay parang mga two days,” recalled JC, explaining how Paolo visited a friend but did not tell him. His younger brother only informed their mother. (During that time, he did not come home for like two days.)
“[H]indi ko alam kung ano’ng nangyayari sa kanya or ano’ng ginagawa niya. Tapos, minor pa siya. Nag-alala ako, as in,” shared JC who also remembered his mother telling him to call out his brother’s action. (I did not know what was happening with him or what he was doing. Moreover, he was a minor. So, I was worried, as in.)
After Paolo came back, JC, who shared that he doesn’t know how to get angry, did not reprimand his brother. The 23-year-old actor-singer just resorted to not letting his brother enter their home right away.
“Natatakot ako sa sarili ko ‘pag nagalit ako. Baka ano’ng magawa ko or anything,” the older brother explained. (I’m scared of how I’ll be if I get mad. I might do something or anything.)
Paolo, according to JC, would eventually learn from the incident and, from then on, would always inform him whenever he planned to go out.
In the same interview, Paolo acknowledged how his brother has helped improve their family’s life, and thanked him for everything he has done for him.
“Hindi ko na mabilang ‘yung lahat ng natulong mo sa’kin, pero ito lang sasabihin ko sa’yo, babawi ako sa lahat ng binigay mo,” Paolo promised his brother. (I can’t count anymore all the help that you’ve extended to me, but this is all I’m going to tell you, I’ll repay you for all that you’ve given me.)
The 17-year-old student is also pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, which JC is supportive of, although he also hopes his brother will finish his studies.
JC made a breakthrough in his acting career when he landed the role of Mico in the BL series “Hello, Stranger,” opposite Tony Labrusca in 2020. Also, before starring in “Drag You & Me,” he appeared in the series “Tara, G!” which also featured Anthony Jennings, Kaori Oinuma, and Vivoree Esclito. /ra