Celebrity sons shine on their own

MANILA, Philippines - Luigi Muhlach and Young JV have something in common apart from being sons to famous fathers. They excel in what they’re passionate about, which in essence means they’re not following their dads’ footsteps. 

Luigi, son of Aga Muhlach and Janice de Belen, is now hitting it big in the field of cooking, having been recently featured as a chef in a special cookout series care of Bellevue Hotels and Resorts. The occasion, which allowed him to prepare some sumptuous buffet for privileged, lucky guests, cemented more his reputation as a sought-after cook with both the credentials and built-in star power. 

While he is perhaps primarily known for being the love child of Aga and Janice, Luigi has somewhat consciously created a name for himself outside of showbiz sphere. “Ako talaga I want to do something for myself,” he tells The STAR during a chat at Prime Café, B Hotel in Alabang where one of those cookouts (featuring performances by Hi-Fan Records’ Nica and Jolo) was held.

With chef Luigi at the helm, a celebrity-filled great food galore weekend transpired at Bellevue Manila, with its Tower Poolside serving as venue. Sighted stars included Janice herself, Arlene Muhlach, Liezl Martinez, PBA players Alex Crisano and Japeth Aguilar, and Janice’s children with John Estrada (Moira, Kaila, Inah and Yuan). 

The “fusion” chef recalls being asked by Bellevue executive Ryan Chan to cook “for them” and spearhead the event. He wanted to adopt the cookout concept popular in the US for family bonding. 

With his dad’s apparent failure to win an electoral seat in the recent polls somehow casting a shadow in his family life, Luigi seems to have readied himself with the downside of being famous. “Ako hindi ako natatakot mag-fail. It’s how you improve that matters.” 

He is planning to put up a catering business with his mom next year. 

As for Young JV who is the son of EDSA I soldier-hero Red Kapunan, music turns out to be his calling that even acting, which he managed to dip into early on in his career, gets sidelined. He personally wants to focus in music. 

In a backstage interview with The STAR, he says, “I’m concentrating on my music because it’s what I really love.” 

JV, who performs regularly on ASAP, was a special guest at a recent event held at SM City and organized by the Philippine Youth Environment Network (PhilYEN). The gathering dubbed Araw ng mga Eo-Filipino: Kabataan para sa Kalikasan gave him a venue to share his care for the environment, especially after being introduced as “one of their ambassadors.” 

He declares, “I’m a nature lover and yes I’d want to do an environmental song soon.” 

The one-time teleserye actor, who appeared in Budoy and Princess and I, is excited about his upcoming single Ngiti which partners him with a still unrevealed big-time collaborator.  

Late last year, he released his second studio album Doin’ It Big featuring the singles Your Name and Tanong. Guest artists, among others, are Karylle and Yeng Constantino.