Aljurs A Life Well-Deserved

For Aljur Abrenica, its been a decade of dedication, of discipline, and undying passion for his craft as an
artistand hes bringing all of these to his new network, his new path, and new family

By Jovi Figueroa

One hot August day, StarStudio stumbles (premeditatedly, of course!) into the home of one of the
hottest celebrities of his time. All smiles, he welcomes us into his humble but beautiful abode, of woods
and reds and piles of interesting trinkets. He tours us inside his multi-leveled New York loft-style home,
telling stories about his liquor-filled cabinet, and even offers us coffee he brewed himself.

As the day winds down and the temperature starts to subside with the descent of the sun, we sit him
down for an interview to ask him about his life, how his story started, and how he has made it ten years
in the industry. He pulls himself on top of the kitchen counter, barefoot, legs crossed, and opensthis
time, not just his homebut his heart, and talks about the boy, the man, and now the artist that Aljur
Abrenica was, is, and hopes to be.

It all started in Pampanga, a son to two music prodigies, in a province then so much quieter and simpler
than what it has become now.

Sobrang simple sa probinsya, pero sobrang saya, Aljur starts, reminiscing his younger days in Angeles,
Pampanga. Lumaki ako na kasama ko yung mga kamag anak ko. Tapos everyday, andun ako lagi sa
lola ko. Papasok ka sa school, pag-uwi mo sa bahay, may meryenda na handa si mama. Privileged kami
na naranasan ko pa yung buhay sa kalye. Iba na kasi ngayon, eh. Kahit maalikabok nun, maputik,
makapaglaro lang kami ng jolen, tumbang preso, masasabi mong kompleto na ang araw mo.

Aljur was fortunate to grow up in a comfortable environment and a loving household. He may be the
eldest in his mother and fathers brood of four, but he is also the younger brother of his half siblings. He
grew up as the kuya to his brothers and sisters, and the bunso to his fathers earlier children.

Aljurs case is an interesting case of a second family because he never really remembers what people
would refer to as the introduction. Unlike what teleseryes and movies would portray, where the father
introduces his first children to his present family and drama is sure to ensue, Aljur shares that its never
become an issue in his family.

Before kami, meron akong limang kapatid. Wala silang introduction na, Nak, kapatid mo. Walang
ganun. Maliit pa lang kasi kami, kasa-kasama na namin sila. Pati sa mga letrato, hawak-hawak ako ng
kuya ko. Kaya di siya naging issue sa family ko, Aljur says. Pag nga may panahon, okasyon, laging
andiyan yung mga kapatid ko. Sila nga yung mga kalaro ko, eh. Kaya di sila naiiba sakin. Para silang
buo kong kapatid. Kilala na sila ng mama ko bago pa man sila kinasal ni papa. Natuwa pa nga, eh, kasi
magkakamukha kami!

Aljur has a wealth of memories and stories of his childhoodof his school life in Don Bosco, of trying out
different sports like badminton and volleyball, of learning horseback riding because his tito thought it
would be nice to buy a horse. But there is this one particular moment, Aljur recalls, that would be so
memorable it would turn out to be what will shape his entire life from then on after.

Aljur shares the story of when he and his mom watched Forevermore in a cinema in Batangas, back
when he was just 10 or 11 years old. Starring Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, Forevermore is a
story about how Echos character would find true love and how true love makes this magical mango tree
bear sweet fruits. Forevermore may be one of those many romantic comedies that Filipinos learned to
love over the years but for Aljur, it has become the film that would urge him to machete his way into the
complicated jungle of show business.

Nakita ko kasi nun, yung nanay ko, ibat ibang emosyon yung naramdaman niya. Pero overall,
masaya siya. Kinilig siya, umiyak siya, tumawa siya. So naging ganito yung reaction ng nanay ko. Naisip
ko, gusto kong gumawa ng ganung klaseng mga pelikula. Gusto kong mapanood niya ko at makita ko
sakanya yung ganung klaseng mga reaction. Nagkaron talaga siya ng impact sakin. After nun, alam ko
na. Gusto kong maging artista, Aljur says.

Finding and staying in the spotlight

One of Aljurs earlier realizations when he started his journey to his dream was that if you wanted to be
an artist, you have to go to Manila. Far it may have seemed for him, then so young, his parents and the
whole Abrenica clan supported him. His titas would buy him clothes for his auditions and his tito even
introduced him to Lucy Torres. Then it happened, yung tito ko ay dance instructor ni Ms. Lucy Torres
sa Shall We Dance. Nung nakita ko siya, para siyang diyosa. Para akong nakakita ng anghel! Bata pa ko,
gustong-gusto ko nang pumuti. Kaya sabi ko, pag naging artista ako, gusto kong pumuti ng ganun!
Aljur remembers with a laugh.

While his classmates would spend their spare time doing what little kids would prefer to do, Aljur
dedicated much of his efforts to booking commercials and VTRs. He even made it as far as doing an
appearance on Maynila. But what would afford him his biggest break would come to him when he was
16 years old, as a secret mission carried out by his girlfriend and mother.

Nung 16 years old ako, grad student, nagkaron ng audition yung Starstruck (a reality TV talent
competition in GMA). Di ko siya alam. Tinawagan ako ng girlfriend ko nun, sabi ko, ayoko kasi may
commitment ako. Third periodical exam namin. Ga-graduate na ko, di ba! Tapos nalaman-laman ko,
kinuntsaba niya yung nanay ko. Kumuha na sila ng application form, tapos na-fill up-an na nila. Nung
nalaman ko yun, nahiya ako sa effort ng girlfriend at mama ko. So pumunta ako, Aljur starts and talks
about this one person who has also become instrumental to his success. Pumunta ako sa SM Clark, 2
p.m., nakapila na kami. Di pa ko kumakaen tapos ang haba ng pila, ang tagal. Eto talaga, gusto kong
pasalamatan. Si Gamaya (Aljur only remembers his surname, a schoolmate who is a level lower than
him), pumila siya for us habang kumakaen kami.

Pagkatapos naming kumaen, bumalik kami sa pila. Nung malapit na kami, nagsarado yung mall! So
tinigil yung audition. Pero di nila sinayang yung pagod namin. Binigyan kami ng number, Aljur
continues his story. Kinabukasan, last day ng periodicals. After nun, deretso na (kami sa SM Clark).
Naalala ko nun, pinatayo kami, tapos ako yung huling tinawag. Tinanong ako anong gagawin ko.
Gusto ko sanang gawing extreme yung talent kasi chance mo na yun, eh! Sing and dance. Gusto mo,
mag-karate pa ko, or mag-Michael Jackson ako kahit di ako marunong sumayaw (laughs)! Pero nakita
ko yung pinapagawa sa iba, nagkaroon ako ng (hesitation). Sabi ko, kakanta nalang ako. So kumanta
ako. Antagal ng kanta ko. Halos matapos ko yung song! So ako na yung tumigil. Tapos may follow-up
question pa. Sumasayaw ka ba? Aba, gusto rin nila akong sumayaw! Hindi eh, pero sasayaw ako!

Aljur reminisces his audition fondly, generally beaming with pride. It was one of his first affirmations as
an artist. (Feeling ko, special ako). Kasi hinuli ako, tapos yung kanta ko ang tagal, tapos pinasayaw pa
ko. Kaya pag-uwi ko, confident na confident ako. Nasa hapag kainan kami, kumakaen kami, sabi ko,
kuhang kuha na ko.

Pero ilang hapunan yung dumaan, walang kumokontak, parang nawawalan nako ng pag-asa. That
time, iniisip ko pa na baka pinaparusahan ako ng Diyos kasi pinangunahan ko siya. Kaya naging patient
na lang ako, at tinanggap ko na lang, Aljur continues. Pero one time, may nag-text. It took two weeks.
Pagtanggap ko ng text, naging cool lang ako. Di na nila ako tinatanong pag hapunan kasi antagal na.
(Yung gabing yun, habang kumakain kami), sabi ko, Friends, nakuha ako. Callback ako. Ganito yung
date. Naalala ko yung reaction ng nanay ko. Halos di ko malunok yung pagkain ko nun. Grabe.

That was the first night Aljur finally knew he that being an artista was not just a dream anymore. He was
on his way to making it a reality.

And so the whole country watched as Aljur Abrenica, a 16-year-old boy from Pampanga, fought his way
to success. Aljur says how much of a blur the whole contest is now to him, only remembering that first
moment he lined up behind the stage with some 100 aspiring people who were called back, and then
the spotlight was already blinding him as his name was called as the StarStruck Ultimate Hunk.

After winning the talent show, stardom struck Aljur head-on. That year, 2007, he immediately got his
first television soap opera, Boys Nxt Door, where he played the character of Migs. Aljur Abrenica finally
was a starbut with the rewards he reaped came its own challenges.

Noong una, aaminin ko, excited ako sa pag-aartista. Pero realizations? Di pala siya madali. Akala ko
kasi pag nag-taping ka na, tuloy-tuloy yung eksena, tapos mapapanood mo na sarili mo sa screen. Di
pala. It takes time. At di ka basta makakasalang sa TV kung di ka dumaan sa workshop at pag-iintindi sa
role mo. Marami siyang proseso at marami siyang kinukuhang oras sayo. Dun ko din na-realize na di
siya laro. Trabaho siya, Aljur shares.

That same year, he got his first role as a main antagonist in the fantasy-drama Zaido: Pulis
Pangkalawakan. And that was only the first of what was to be serye after serye of him playing the bida
or the kontrabida. Aljur fondly recalls his first protagonist role which came in the character of Lito in Sine
Novela: Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?.

First lead role ko yun. At nakita ko na medyo sumisikat ako. Nagka-audience ako. Naramdaman ko
yung init ng pagmamahal sakin ng mga tao. Yung pakiramdam na kahit san ka magpunta, kilala ka
at di lang basta kilala ka, hinahangaan ka. At nung naramdaman ko yun, dun ko naisip na gusto kong
ibalik yung pagmamahal na binigay nila sakin.

Year after year, Aljur began to headline the networks various teleseryes and variety shows. And while
the stardom that he has long desired finally was in his grasp, it began to dawn on him how tremendously
tiring and demanding show business really is.
Dumating pa nga sa punto na, Ito ba talaga yung gusto kong gawin? Kasi nakakapagod siya.
Nakakapagod pero masaya. Nakikinabang yung family ko, nakikita kong masaya sila. Pero ako yung
gagawa ng desisyon, eh. Tinanong ko sa sarili ko, Do you still want this? May iba ka pa bang kayang
gawin? Meron naman, eh, pero pinili ko siya. Babalik ako sa panahon na nakita ko yung reaction ng
nanay ko na pinapanood si Jericho at Kristine. At yung first na napanood niya ako sa TV. Umiyak siya.
Halos lahat ata nung bagong show ko nun umiyak siya.

So Aljur decided. For his family, for himself, he is choosing show business. He is choosing to become an
actor. He is choosing to become an artist.

A New Kapamilya

After the immense wave after wave of work, however, Aljur also faced a long winter. After the never-
ending sleepless nights and hard decisions, he was suddenly faced with a long break.

Meron ding time, ang tagal na medyo na-feel ko na nawawala nako sa industry, Aljur shares, which
happened around 2015 to 2016. But like everything that happens to him, he took this new chapter in his
life in a positive light. Maganda siyang pinagdaanan ko kasi lahat ng experiences natin sa buhay natin,
laging may rason yan at laging may magandang kalalabasan yan. I take it as a good positive event in
my life kasi nasuri ko how to become a better person, na-maximize ko yung time ko sa pagde-design ng
bahay, nag-travel ako. And one of my most memorable travels is Hawaii. Last year. Mag-isa lang. Basta
pumunta lang ako dun, walang plano. Nag-reflect lang ako, at napag-desisyunan ko na ito talaga yung
gusto kong gawin, maging artista. Naging malaking part yung journey ko sa Hawaii para mapunta ako
sa kung nasan ako ngayon.

And where he is now is here; a brand new person in a brand new network.

Changing networks isnt unheard of in show business. Many choose to pave their own career paths
based on their craft and calling as artists. And as the saying goes, trabaho lang, walang personalan.

After a decade in show business, in one network, Aljur Abrenica decided to take the reins on his life and
challenge himself to start fresh. And a lot of people were shockedmany, pleasantly surprisedwhen
Aljur finally announced that he is signing an exclusive contract with Star Magic last August.

Yung buhay ko naman bukas na libro, kaya alam ng mga tao kung anong nangyari sakin. Marami
akong pinagdaanan nun, at ngayon pinagdadaanan ko pa rin siya. Alam naman nila yung buong
proseso, Aljur responds, looking back at his ten years in the industry. Im just grateful right now na
tinanggap ako ng ABS-CBN. Nag-start talaga yan nung nagkaroon ng interes sina Sir Deo Endrinal
(Dreamscape production manager), Coco Martin, at Sir Eric Salut (ABS-CBN AdProm head), at
napagusapan nila ng management ko yung proseso, kaya nakapasok ako.

True to what a phenomenal actor like Aljur deserves, his debut in the Kapamilya network was nothing
short of explosive. He was not only getting cast in a daily primetime seryehe was getting cast in
Philippine televisions highest-rating series, FPJs Ang Probinsyano.

The pressure is high and the expectations even higher for Aljur as he takes on the antagonist role of
Miguel in Ang Probinsyano. And even with a decade of experience behind him, Aljur is not hesitant to
admit that this new role is still a huge challenge for him.
Siyempre nahirapan ako. Na-pressure ako. Yung mga kasamahan ko kasi, ang galing eh. Sila, take one!
Ako, puro take two, take three. Pero di ako pinabayaan. Binantayan talaga yung acting ko. Tinutukan
talaga ako. Laking pasalamat ko sa mga direktor kasi naintindihan nila. At naniwala sila sakin. Privileged
akong katrabaho sila.

He even reveals, Sa hinaba-haba ng talambuhay ko sa pag-aartista, ngayon ko lang naramdaman yung

sense of achievement sa craft ko, kahit sa sandaling panahon na umarte ako sa ABS-CBN. Kasi iba
talaga. Dahil siguro sa pinanggalingan kong network, nagampanan ko na lahat ng role na pwede kong
gampanan. Pero sa ABS, kapag napapanood ko kasi yung mga artista nila, kung pano sila umarte,
yung craft nila, yung galing nila, tapos yung story pa nung soap (opera), napakalawak niya,
humahanga talaga ako.

It was surprising to find out that a huge star like Aljur still had his own reservations and doubts about
himself, even after years of success and throngs of fans. He continues to share, Bilang isang artista,
naiinggit talaga ako before sa (ABS-CBN artists). Lalo na, isa sa pinaka-hinahangaan ko si Coco Martin.
Nanggaling yan sa independent films, hanggang sa naging mainstream. Nag-support siya, nag-pulis
siya, gumawa ng mga roles na ganito, pero lahat nagampanan niya ng tama. So naisip ko, Ano yung
naibibigay ng ABS-CBN sa kanila para magampanan nila yung ganito? Ano yung mga training na
pinagdadaanan nila? Nainggit talaga ako. Gusto ko ring maranasan yun. Kaya ako, nung nakita kong
ganun, napagdesisyunan ko, gusto kong maging magaling na actor. Gusto kong masabi ng tao na
magaling ako. Kaya napaka-swerte ko kasi nakakasalamuha ko na sila ngayon at marami akong
natututunan sa kanila.

Right now, alongside his tapings for Ang Probinsyano, Aljur takes up workshops with Star Magic. As of
writing, he has just taken up a workshop under Director Ryan Carlos, where he is going back to the
basics of acting.

The demands of Ang Probinsyano, as the countrys top-rating television drama, are huge. And Aljur is
still adjusting to the tightropes of the industry again, having only come back from a long hiatus.

Nagulat ako sa time frame ng Ang Probinsyano, yes. Nanggaling na ako sa ganitong ka-busy pero
matagal din kasi akong napahinga. Pero nananaig yung excitement, yung drive, at yung passion ko na
maging isang magaling na aktor. Ginagawa ko lang ngayon, I always make time for everything.
Kailangan magpaganda ng katawan, mag-workshop. Kasi yun yung hinihingi sa role ko, eh. Galit lahat,
di lang yung mukhapati yung biceps! Aljur shares with a laugh.

Now, when asked, what kind of artist does Aljur Abrenica want to be? He answers, Sa lahat ng
pinagdaanan ko, masasabi kong bukas akong artista. Bukas akong matuto. Ako yung artist na hindi
natatakot magkamali, madapa, at bumangon. Lalong-lalo na andito na ako sa ABS-CBN, marami pa
akong puwedeng matutunan. In short, masasabi ko, ako bilang artist, ay isang estudyante. Lahat tayo,
estudyante.

So when the clock strikes XX:XX, the whole country tunes in on their television and sees Aljur mounting
his horsehis earlier training in horseback finally paying offdonning that menacing look, and just-as-
menacing body, looking out to the quarry that is Miguels and his father, ready to wreak havoc in the life
of Cardo Dalisay.
A Brand New Chapter

2017 is definitely Aljur Abrenicas year. This year, he has not only forged a new path for his career and
reinvented himself as a brand new person; he has also entered a brand new chapter of his life as a
father.

The story of Aljur and his newborn son, Alas Joaquin, starts with a birthday celebration back in 2010. It
was Kylie Padillas return to show business and she decided to celebrate her birthday in an orphanage
with her fellow GMA stars. Aljur was one of those called on by the management to support Kylie.

Dun kami nagka-kamustahan, nakapag-usap. After nun, inimbitahan niya ako kasi may gagawing pa-
party sa kanya yung papa niya sa BGC. So pumunta ako dun. Nagdala pa ko ng wine for Tito Robin.
Naisip ko, resto yun so masarap siyang i-partner sa meat. Yun yung dinala ko kasi di ko na alam yung
pwede kong ibigay sa taong halos lahat meron na siya, eh. Hirap nun! So sabi ko, wine. Inabot ko
sakanya. Sabi niya sakin, Muslim daw siya, di siya umiinom! Aljur recalls, laughing at his naivet.
Nakita naman niyang inosente ako so di naman niya tinake against him. Pinagpasensiyahan niya ako,
tinanggap niya. Dun yung unang beses na nakita ko si Tito Robin.

Then their love story began. There was mutual attraction, Aljur confesses, and they continued to check
up on each other every day. Di na siya mawala sa isip ko. Di lumilipas yung araw na di ko siya naiisip.
Then finally, I decided na mag-date kami. Tapos sinundan ng marami pang dates, tapos naging kami
na.

With Aljur then only 20 years old, and Kylie only 18, their relationship was bound to end. Aljur admits it
was immaturity on both parties that forced them to end the relationship, four years in. Madaming
nangyari. Mahirap siyang i-elaborate pero nangingibabaw yung immaturity. Masyado pa kasi kaming
bata nun para maging seryoso sa isat isa. At marami pa kaming dapat pagdaanan at di dapat kami
malimita na kami lang yung naging circle namin. Eh, that time, parang sinarado na namin yung mundo
namin, kami na lang yung magkasama. So we decided, mutually, na i-end muna yung relationship
namin.

Unlike bitter breakups, however, Aljur and Kylie remained in touch and close friends after their fallout.
Still the best of friends, Aljur and Kylie found a person to talk to and a shoulder to cry on in each other.
This could be the reason why the two eventually wound back in each others arms.

Yung mga ups and down sa buhay, kami yung magkausap. Nagkakaron kami ng midnight coffee. Lagi
naming ginagawa yun, Aljur shares, and jokingly reveals that hes been paying for their coffee ever
since. And then after two years, last year, yung midnight coffee napadalas na. Dati, mga once a
month, twice a month. Ngayon, naging once, twice, thrice a week na. Tapos everyday na.

When Aljur and Kylie got back together, they got back together as better, more mature individuals. Even
though it took them six years of good and challenging experiences, and six years of mental and
emotional growth, it was all worth it as they emerged the strong and better couple that they are now.

And it took six years for Aljur to finally pop the question with what could be the worlds sweetest ringa
chopstick wrapper.

Aljur narrates, Na-engage kami sa Pho Hoa in Tomas Morato. Kumakaen kami. Chopsticks. May plastic
yun, tinali ko sa kamay niya. Will you marry me? I love you. I forgot my words. Basta nag-propose ako
sakaniya. And she said yes. Spur of the moment siya pero pinanggagalingan nun ay lahat ng
pinagdaanan namin. Nagkahiwalay kami, matagal siyang nawala sakin, naging magkaibigan kami,
tapos this time, eto na yun. Shes the one.

Tapos after nun, nag-Japan kami. Nag-Disneyland kami. Yung scenery, nakatulala si Kylie dun sa Little
Mermaid sa tubig. Naramdaman ko na namang mag-propose! So nag-propose ako sakaniya, yung sa
earphones, yung pag binibili mo yung nakatakip sa earphones na iniipit? Yung plastic? Yun yung tinali
ko sakaniya. It doesnt matter kung paano, di ba? Wala naman akong singsing, eh (laughs)! Pero
pagbalik namin dito, nung nalaman kong buntis siya, nag-propose ako ulit nung December, bisperas ng
pasko. Pero may singsing na.

So the pregnancy came both as planned and unplannedplanned because they were already engaged
(twice, even!), and unplanned because it still turned out a welcome surprise. But for Aljur, he is sure, I
can say na ready na kami after ng lahat ng pinagdaanan namin.

StarStudio talks to Kylie, just weeks into her recovery from her labor at that time, and we find out how
both of them, surprisingly, enjoyed the pregnancy. Actually, it was a pretty good pregnancy. Scary lang
yung may show ako nun, tapos kailangan kong umalis. But then, the rest was fun kasi dito lang ako sa
bahay, nakapag-bonding kami. Wala pa siyang work nun so talagang andyan siya the whole nine
months, which Im really thankful for kasi nung bago pa ako mabuntis, napag-usapan namin yun na if
ever na magbe-baby na tayo, sabi niya, Gusto ko andun ako for the nine months. Eh nangyari, so
masaya.

Part of the couples journey as they prepared for their baby is the babys name. Alas Joaquinwhere in
the world did Aljur and Kylie draw this name from?

Aljur then launches into a nostalgic explanation of how they juggled a lot of names before they finally
settled with Alas Joaquin. Sa Abrenica family, puro letter A kami. Kaya nung high school ako, bigla
kong naisip na pagnagkaanak ako, gusto ko A din. Pero lahat yata nakuha na? Ah, merong isang hindi
pa. Alas. Ace. Di ko siya pinagisipan. Bigla na lang. Eh nung naghahanap kami ng pangalan, nagkaron
pa ng Dante, ng Nicholas (kasi si Kylie, Nicole, eh. So in honor of Kylie). Yung Joaquin yung kapatid ni
River Phoenix, magaling na artista. Tapos lumilipas yung araw, unconsciously, natatawag namin
habang nasa tiyan pa lang na Alas na. So bigla na lang siyang nag-stay.

So Aljur got his Alas. And Kylie wanted to get what she wants, too! She wanted their babys nickname to
be AJjust like Aljurs nickname. Kylie explains, laughing, Ayaw nga niya eh! Kasi daw pag tatawagin
ko si Alas tapos gusto kong gamitin yung AJ, silang dalawa yung bababa! Yes?

Nine months came and went like a beautiful blur for the couple. They have been praying and anxiously
waiting for the day of Alas birth to come. And when it did, it did not come aloneit brought with it Ang
Probinsyano. Kylies first labor day coincided with Aljurs first Probinsyano taping day.

Buong proseso ng pagbubuntis niya, kasama niya ako. Tapos nung magle-labor na siya, first taping day
ko naman! Aljur remarks, as if fate was playing a silly game on them. Ayaw ko talagang umalis, pero si
Kylie yung nagsabi na, You should go. Nung sinabi niya na para sa future to ng family natin, dun ako
nakapag-decide. So Wednesday morning, nagle-labor na siya. Tuloy-tuloy na yung contractions niya,
eh. Tinawagan ko yung nanay ko, di niya pa alam nun. Asan ka? Taping ako. Probinsyano, sabi ko.
Oh? Congratulations, anak! Tuwa siya! Tapos sabi ko, Ma, si Kylie nagle-labor na. Ha? Ngayon? O sige
sige, babiyahe ako. So from Batangas, bumiyahe siya papuntang Fort, sinamahan niya si Kylie. Sa gabi,
pumunta na rin si Vin, sinamahan niya rin si Kylie.

Early on in her pregnancy, Kylie already decided she would go through a natural water birth. A handful
of mothers nowadays choose this particular method of giving birth because it goes back to the original
roots of childbirthno anesthetics, no artificial medications. The mother gives birth in a tub of warm
water, which aids in the painful delivery and allows the baby a smooth transition from the amniotic sac
in the womb to the water. In her Instagram post, Kylie shares the whole process she had to go through
when she decided to do a natural water birth.

For the first two days of her labor, Kylie was getting little sleep, running up and down the stairs to get
the babys head into position. And Aljur, with his Probinsyano taping, had no choice but to pop in and
out during Kylies four-day labor. Tiring and challenging the whole process was but Kylie stayed the
strong woman that she is. When Aljur was gone for taping, she was supported by his mother, Tita
Amore, and her birth doula, Irina (a doula is a professional trained to act as a birth companion and give
emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother).

By the fourth day, despite Kylies efforts to widen her cervix and prepare herself for the water birth, her
contractions start to become unbearable. Baby Alas was still pretty high up in her cervix and she has
dilated so little in one day. At this rate, it would be impossible to push through with the water birth. She
did everything she could but after all the fatigue from her four-day labor, it was safer to have a normal
delivery.

The pain became too much, especially with no rest, no sleep. I have never felt so out of control of my
body, so I had to make a decision. No matter how much I wanted a natural water birth l, I had to think
about the next best thing. For me and my baby. So I agreed to a medicated vaginal birth, Kylies
Instagram post read.

Aljur remembers Kylies fourth labor day, August 4, 10:31 p.m. He was not in the hospital with Kylie
because he was still taping for Ang Probinsyano.

Nung lumabas si Baby Alas, sakto, pa-take pa lang kami. Tumawag sakin nanay ko, Nak lumabas na si
Alas. Sabi ko sakanya, Lapitan mo, lapitan mo! Nak, di ako puwedeng lumapit kasi inaayos na siya.
Konti lang yung iyak niya tapos tumigil na. Pero ako, Basta lapitan mo, lapitan mo. So lumapit nanay
ko. Umiyak siya. Narinig ko sa phone. I cried, Aljur recalls the overflow of his emotions, still on set,
ready for his take. Umiyak ako. Sobra akong umiyak nun. Tapos tinawag na ko, Jur, magte-take na.
Tapos pagdating ko dun, pagsakay ko ng kabayo, babaril nako! Pano ko gagawin yun (laughs)? Pero
kelangan, eh.

Nakauwi ako, 8 a.m. na. Di ako mapakali, actually. Nasa hotel, eh. So kelangan kong pumunta sa St.
Lukes. Lakad lakad ako sa hotel, Aljur narrates, mimicking how he was at that time. He stands up from
the kitchen counter and paces relentlessly, his face a mix of overwhelming emotions. So balik-balik ako,
yung cellphone ko, yung susi, yung keycard. (Pagdating ko sa hospital,) nakita ko si Vin, Kuya, uwi
nako. Okay. Pagpasok ko, nakita ko si Kylie. Hi, mahal! Andito yung baby, dinaanan ko lang, di ko
siya pinuntahan. Kiniss ko muna si Kylie. Punta ako sa CR, sa bintana. Tapos sabi ni Kylie, Mahal, yung
anak mo. (Laughs) Eh di ako marunong humawak ng bata! Never akong humawak ng bata na sanggol.
Natatakot ako. Pero nung binigay sakin si Alas, nahawakan ko siya. Parang lumabas yung natural na
care sa bata, na nawala yung takot.

Tapos sabi ni Kylie, Hubad ka, mahal, Aljur continues, laughing. Bakit? Sabi niya, Kailangan mag-
skin to skin kayo. Ah, onga pala, napanood ko sa video. Paglabas ng bata, dapat mag-skin to skin yung
mommy tsaka daddy sa baby para maramdaman niya yung scent mo, yung warmth mo. Tapos ayun.
Tatay na ko.

The New Abrenicas

The birth of Alas Joaquin was not only the start of Aljur and Kylies new life; it was also their rebirth as
brand new parents, and the birth of a brand new relationship. Aljur shares that he has also discovered a
brand new feeling towards his son that he never thought existed.

Nag-iba kasi mas naging intimate kami. Yung teamwork and relationship namin, mas tumindi, kasi
may deeper understanding, eh. Parang may lumabas samin na isang pagmamahal na di mo pa
nararamdaman before. Dati akala mo naramdaman mo na lahat, pero hindi pa pala. May love na
lalabas sayo pag andiyan na yung bata. Kaya yung passion ko din, mas lumalim. Mas lumakas ako kasi
di ko na siya ginagawa para sa immediate family ko lang. Ginagawa ko na siya para sa sarili ko nang
pamilya.

As a first-time mother, its still all so very surreal for Kylie, as well. And entangled in this elated feeling is
the anxiety that every first-time mother would have to go through.

Being a mom is amazing but nakaka-praningin a good way. Kasi siyempre, gusto mo safe yung baby
mo, wala siyang sakit, pinoprotektahan mo. Ako yung mas praning, mas kalmado si AJ. Kasi yung mga
unang araw na umuwi kami, pag umiiyak siya, parang hindi ko siya mahawakan kasi parang feeling ko
ako yung dahilan! Sabi niya, Mahal, bata yan, normal lang na umiiyak yan. Tapos sabi ko, Ay! Oo nga
pala! Kylie shares, blushing from her laughter. Eh kasi, may pagka-praning talaga ako before pa ako
magka-baby. So ngayon, natututunan ko kung paano kalmahin yung sarili ko at mag-isip ng kung ano
muna yung solusyon kasi nga hindi puwedeng mag-panic ka agad.

Pero parang naa-amaze pa rin talaga kami. Nandun pa rin kami sa stage na parang hindi pa siya totoo.
Pag nagbi-breastfeed nga kami, talagang nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya, sobrang tagal, Kylie says,
obviously tired from the recovery but already glowing with joy. Sa gabi, pag magkasama kami ni AJ,
parang ako, Naniniwala ka ba na lumabas yan sakin, na ginawa natin yan (laughs)? Tapos, Kamukha
mo oh, kamukha mo!

Aljur and Kylie are still obviously just settling into their new routine, including giving up most of their
film-watching time and condensing their workout time to give priority to Alas Joaquin. Because of the
demands of the new baby and Aljurs new work, when asked about wedding plans, Aljur reveals, Wala
pa talaga kaming plano kasi una, nao-overwhelm pa kami sa mga nangyayari. Focused kami sa baby,
focused kami sa mga bagong kong career, so di pa namin naiisip. Pero kung tatanungin mo kami kung
handa kaming magpakasal, yes handa kami. Walang lang talagang oras para isipin pa.

Pangalawa, Muslim siya, Katoliko ako, Aljur continues. Pero masasabi ko, si Kylie, nirerespeto niya
kung sino ako, at nirerespeto ko rin siya kung sino siya, kung anong hilingin niya.
Today, interfaith marriages have become more widespread and accepted in the world. This means that
neither parties would have to convert to be legally acknowledged by the law as husband and wifebut
that is if were talking civil marriage. Marrying in their faiths traditions would be a lot more complicated
and it often brings up the issue of the couples personal preferences, their childs spiritual upbringing,
and their families blessing.

As an overview, in the Islam faith, Muslim men are allowed to marry Christian and Jewish women.
Muslim women, however, are not allowed to marry outside their faith, thus, the man would have to
convert. In the Catholic church, it is more lenient. There is no obligation on the part of the Muslim
partner to convert as long as the couple would pledge to raise their children as Catholics.

Aljur admits that this conundrum is still one that they would have to settle down the road. While Aljurs
family has been very open towards Kylie and Aljurs relationship and baby, Aljur reveals that he is yet to
talk to Kylies father ever since they learned of the pregnancy.

Di ko pa siya nakausap ulit, Aljur reveals about his relationship now with his father-in-law, Robin
Padilla. Di naman kami strangers sa isat isa, pero wala kaming relasyon, so to speak. Nung
nagkabalikan kami ni Kylie, nung nabuntis siya, weve tried several times na makipag-book ng
appointment (kay Tito Robin) and we were turned down several times. Si Kylie nakausap na niya; ako,
wala talaga. Sa palagay ko, dun sa pag-reject niya samin, di pa siya handang makausap kami. Sa
palagay ko rin baka hindi niya pa kami napapatawad sa tingin niyang nagawa naming kasalanan. Ako
kasi, kung may nagawa man kaming kasalanan sa paningin niya, humihingi ako ng tawad dun. Kasi
wala naman akong balak pabayaan si Kylie. Mahal ko si Kylie. At gusto kong malaman niya na mahal na
mahal ko yung anak niya.

That aside, right now, Aljur and Kylie are pouring all of their efforts into this new bundle of joy in their
lives. And whats important for Aljur is not to dwell in the hardships of the past or be anxious of the
uncertainties of the future, but to focus in the now and enjoy every bit of the rewards his decade-old
saga has reaped him.

Sometimes kasi, yung tao, nakakalimutan natin to live in the moment. Lagi nating iniisip yung past,
lagi nating iniisip yung future. What were missing is that yung pinaka-precious time is yung ngayon,
Aljur says.

Kylie, of course, is beyond words for her husband and their family, as well. When asked whats her
message for Aljur, she is unable to keep her emotions in check and starts to tear upin overwhelming
happiness and contentment with what they have right now. Nakita ko yung mga pinagdaanan mo
when you had no work so happy talaga ako ngayon for you. Sa lahat ng narating mo ngayon, andito
lang kami ni Alas. Sobrang happy ako kasi nakikita ko na sobrang happy ka na rin.

Aljur Abrenica has got the body, the talent, and the looksthe perfect recipe for the ultimate celebrity
heartthrob. But now, he also has a strong and loving wife, a stunning home, and a healthy son, which is
the perfect recipe for a beautiful life well-deserved.