New Viva Artists speak out on ‘nepo baby’ label
Hailing from showbiz clans, the newly signed talents of Viva Artists Agency (VAA) have weighed in on being tagged as “nepo babies.”
The second-generation rising artists, children of showbiz personalities, are carving out their own paths in the entertainment industry.
Vito Quizon, the son of Vandolph and grandson of the late King of Comedy Dolphy, shared at a presscon that he doesn’t mind being called a “nepo baby.”
“It’s OK because it’s true. But pwede ko naman pong ipakita sa ibang paraan yung salitang ‘nepo baby,’” he said. “Of course, I come from the Quizon family and they are known in the industry, mas madali rin po talagang makapasok sa buhay ng pag-artista. What I can do is to improve and show what I’m capable of, because I’m here now and I have to prove that I can do it.”
Ashley Diaz, the granddaughter of the late Paquito Diaz and daughter of veteran actor Joko Diaz, asserted that she doesn’t have a problem being labeled as a “nepo baby.”
“Kasi aminado naman ako,” she admitted. “But if you check my background, I think it speaks for itself. You can also ask the people that I’ve worked with. I think they would all say na OK naman akong ka-work.”
She added that she always tries to stay grounded. “And I think it’s a matter also of proving yourself, proving that you deserve this... And I think kanya-kanya na rin po kami kung papano namin gagawin yun as long as we’re not hurting anybody, we’re not stealing or anything. I think nasa kapalaran mo rin sa buhay kung paano yung magiging takbo ng career mo.”
Gabbi Ejercito and Icee Ejercito, daughters of Gary Estrada and Bernadette Allyson, have already appeared in the Viva One series “Hell University” and “My Husband is a Mafia Boss,” respectively.
“I think there’s such a negative connotation around ‘nepo baby’ but for me, I think it’s true. I can’t deny naman na ‘nepo baby’ talaga ako. I feel like (when you say) ‘nepo babies’ kasi parang you get more opportunities and it’s just really up to you to show that you deserve a spot here in the industry,” expressed Icee.
“We can be reduced to that (label) but with the opportunities that are open to us, we are the ones who decide how we use these opportunities and how we sustain ourselves in the industry,” added Gabbi.
“So for me, it’s about proving ourselves time and time again and showing up when we need to be there.”
On the other hand, Jac Abellana, who played a role in “Hell University,” is the son of another screen veteran, Jojo Abellana.
“I don’t have a problem being called a ‘nepo baby.’ To be honest, I’m super proud,” Jac stated. “My parents and my family have contributed a lot to the industry. Marami na po silang napasaya so for me, I think about it positively. Gusto kong dagdagan pa lalo yung mga nagawa nila sa industry and mapasaya po ang maraming tao.”
Meanwhile, actor-comedian Anjo Yllana’s son, Jaime Yllana, who is part of “My Husband is a Mafia Boss,” maintained that “nepo baby” is “just a word.”
“And that word is a title and we get to choose what kind of ‘nepo baby’ we want to be. Do we want to be the type who relies on our family or do we want to be the type that uses our advantage to make ourselves better and make a name for ourselves in the industry?
“I think I can speak for all of us here, we want to be a positive type of ‘nepo baby,’ where we use our family’s legacy to create our own name and build ourselves a career that puts us in the history of the long line of show business,” he explained.
Lastly, Rob and Ryan Walcher, sons of actress and former beauty queen Patricia Javier and renowned chiropractor Robert Walcher, shared the advantages of being “nepo babies.”
“I think being a ‘nepo baby,’ I mean, it’s not a choice and I think that’s something that we all have to live with. However, there are things that come from it, which are opportunities and the things that our parents left for us, from their legacy and for us to utilize. I think with that, we can turn those into great things for other people and continue helping others too,” mused Rob.
“It doesn’t really mind me that much because I can prove that I can be a good one (‘nepo baby’). So that’s why it doesn’t really bug me that much,” Ryan added.
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