XLR8's AJ following in Kuya Aga's footsteps
The Muhlachs have a fondness for the letter “A” — from Amalia and brothers Alvaro and Alex, to their children Anna Lissa (Amalia’s daughter); Angelo (Niño, Alex’s son); to siblings Ariel (Aga), Albert and Arlene (three of Cheng’s eight children who also include Almira, wife of Bong Alvarez); and to Aga and wife Charlene Gonzalez’s twins (Andres and Atasha).
“Pinagusapan naming mag-anak ‘yon,” says Cheng whose other son, AJ (Adrian Justine), is following in his Kuya Aga’s footsteps. “’A’ has a lot of advantages. Kapag alphabetical order, una ka sa list. Sa roll call, una kang tatawagin.”
A five-year contract artist (as actor) of Viva Films which has for the meantime included him as one of the eight members of XLR8, the Philippines’ answer to the popular Korean K-Pop, by way of introducing him to the public.
“Okay lang,” says AJ who turned 18 last May 20, “because I do love music.”
He finished elementary school at Immaculate Conception and high school at La Salle Greenhills. At UST where he’s taking up a course in Applied Physics (“I’m good in math”), AJ said he envied his classmates who play the guitar very well, so he decided to take one-on-one lessons in guitar-playing. He also plays the drums, the harmonica, the flute and the piano. During summer breaks, he takes up Culinary Arts. Having taken after his mom, Janet Rivera who was a member of the Vicor Dancers, AJ also dances well.
“I jam with Kuya Aga during family gatherings,” says AJ who is close to his other half-siblings (with six different mothers). “Masaya kami, especially during family reunions.”
As expected of a Muhlach, AJ at 5’7” (“And growing!) is gifted with movie-starish looks and an acting talent waiting to be tapped.
“Who’s my favorite actor? Of course, Kuya Aga.” Understandably so.
Asked if, given enough time, he can match, if not surpass, his Kuya Aga’s record as an actor, AJ said he’s keeping his fingers crossed. He’s attending an acting workshop under Gina Alajar. “I don’t want to go into acting unprepared.”
Aga’s brotherly advice to AJ: “Hinay-hinay lang” as far as girls are concerned; and, where career is concerned, “Focus on your work because opportunity in showbiz is often a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
While waiting for his movie break, AJ (who idolizes David Cook, Brian McKnight, Jay-R and Kris Lawrence) is enjoying his stint with XLR8 which performs regularly on the GMA Sunday show Party Pilipinas.
“I’m focused on what I’m doing,” says AJ. “I don’t want to let my family down, and also my godparents.”
Source: Philstar