Claudine Barretto expressed her pride in being a “stage tita” to Alfy Yan, the nephew of her late ex-boyfriend and former love-team partner, Rico Yan, as he signed a contract with Viva Artists Agency.
The seasoned actress, who played a pivotal role in connecting Alfy with the talent management company, attributed the young man’s decision to enter show business to “divine intervention.”
During a press conference for Alfy’s contract signing on Tuesday, December 10, Barretto shared how Alfy already had a considerable social media following, even before he made his public debut. While his famous uncle Rico Yan played a part in the attention, Barretto believes Alfy’s own appeal has been a significant factor.
“[Kahit nung] hindi pa lumalabas si Alfy or nagpa-public ng social media niya, marami na siyang followers. One, because of Rico, pero I believe it’s because of his own person,” Barretto remarked.
The actress recalled the goosebumps she felt when she first met Alfy due to his uncanny resemblance to his late uncle. During their initial meeting, Barretto casually asked Alfy if he had an interest in showbiz, to which the young man surprised both her and his family by expressing his enthusiasm. Barretto then contacted Boss Vic Del Rosario, Viva’s Chairman and CEO, who was open to the idea of signing Alfy.
However, Barretto made it clear that she isn’t managing Alfy’s career but is offering her support as a “stage tita.”
For his part, Alfy expressed that Barretto’s encouragement was a significant factor in his decision to pursue a career in show business. He explained how the actress advised him to simply be himself as he ventured into the industry. Alfy also shared that being Rico’s nephew brings both pride and pressure, acknowledging his uncle’s huge impact.
“At first, it’s shocking because I didn’t realize until later on how big his impact was. I guess there’s also a bit of pressure there, but then again it’s really a nice feeling to see all the people supporting [me],” Alfy said.
