
Some people say that the friendship you have with your sibling is something you cannot get rid of.
This is how exactly Alfred Vargas describes his relationship with his younger brother, Patrick Michael or PM, whom he considers as his best friend.
In a recent interview, Alfred recalled the many fun (and sometimes hard) experiences that he and his brother had gone through while growing up.
"Sabay kaming tinuli. Si Lola pa ang naglalanggas sa amin ng bayabas," Alfred quipped.
"Nagka-carwash rin kami ng kotse ng kapitbahay naming Koreano para may pang meryenda kami.
"Pinagdaanan namin lahat nang magkasama. Nag-aral kami nang sabay, gumimik nang sabay, at syempre, nangarap kami together.
"We had so many adventures and misadventures together growing up. Best buds talaga kami dati pa. Alam ko kung masaya siya, alam ko kung paano siya ma-in love, at syempre alam ko kung paano siya masaktan."
Alfred mentioned that he depended on his brother when unfortunate events happened in their family.
He recalled, "Unang-una nung naghiwalay parents namin. Bumagsak din mga negosyo ng family early on, so yung pang-tuition namin for several years, puro utang lahat sa mga kamag-anak. Namatay si dad in 2011 at age 64. 'Tapos sumunod nung nagka-cancer ang Mom namin, and you know how hard it is to battle cancer.
"Kailangan namin na maging strong na magkakapatid. Syempre, kaharap rin namin yung reality na what if she doesn't make it. It was hard but we had each other's back. She died in 2014.
"Ito yung pinakamahirap, noong namatay ang both parents namin. We were by his side when dad passed on. Then, kay mom when she lost her battle sa cancer, nandon rin kami. Masakit at malungkot, pero lahat 'yun nakayanan namin kasi magkasama at nagtulungan kami. That made our bond even stronger."
According to Alfred, part of his personality development was greatly affected by his strong relationship with his brother, who was his roommate for 26 years.
"Marami kaming childhood memories na we cherish until now. Kasama na yung mga hardship na napagdaanan namin, doon naging solid yung bond namin. I think that made us who we are today. Proud akong sabihin na bahagi si PM ng mga dahilan kung sino ako ngayon.
"Kaya nung time na nakaipon na ako sa showbiz and decided to buy a house of my own, super nahirapan ako sa desisyon na yun because I didn't want to leave my brother and my family."
The actor-politician is grateful that despite living apart, his connection with his brother did not fade.
"Na-realize ko na ang swerte ko na kapatid ko siya," Alfred said. "Sa kaniya ko natutunan na mahirap iwasan yung hardships sa buhay, dadating at dadating 'yan, pero laging malalampasan kapag may katuwang kang harapin yung mga pagsubok.
"Si PM 'yung katuwang ko sa mga paghihirap na 'yun. Maswerte ako na andyan si PM sa mga panahong lubog na lubog ako. And until now magkasama pa rin kami, sa hirap at ginhawa nandyan si PM kaya I'm very thankful."
Following in Alfred's footsteps
Like any brother, Alfred always makes sure to reciprocate the support he has been receiving from PM, especially when the latter also decided to join politics.
Alfred currently serves as a representative of Quezon City District V. On other hand, PM acts as a councilor in the second district of the same city.
The 39-year old actor said, "Simula pa dati, lahat ng mga pagkakamali ko in life itinuturo ko sa kaniya. Ayaw kong maulit niya 'yung mga pagkakamaling 'yun. Pero lagi ko ring sinasabi sa kaniya na may mga lessons sa buhay na hindi ko maituturo, kailangan niyang pagdaanan 'yun, kailangan niyang magkamali.
"Ang kaya ko lang gawin ay gabayan siya at kung di maiwasan na magkamali siya at madapa, naroon ako para sumuporta sa kanya. Ganun siguro ako bilang kuya. I always tell him rin to cherish the lessons of life, iyon kasi ang kailangan para matupad 'yung mga pangarap natin, e."
Likewise, Alfred expressed his dreams for PM: "To reach his full potential as a leader and realize his vision in helping others. Natural na leader kasi siya. Bata pa lang kami, nakita na naming sa kanya yun. He's got that gift of guiding people towards attaining goals. He easily inspires others to give their best. He is naturally a strong leader.
"Gusto ko makabuo na rin siya ng sariling pamilya. Gusto kong ma-experience niya yung fulfilment ng pagiging ama. Gusto ko rin siyang makasama sa journey of fatherhood. Sabi ko nga sa kaniya, napakarami kong masi-share sa kaniya kapag nangyari na yon."
Meanwhile, check out Alfred's picture-perfect family here: