Robbie Jaworski seems to have appeared out of nowhere, as though the guy simply woke up one day and, voila, decided he would be in show business.
Fact is, Robbie, 24, never had a "major desire or passion to be an artista or famous," he admits in an exclusive interview on December 5, 2024, with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
Even so, the idea was always there, and Robbie was never totally dismissive of it.
After all, the guy has been on the radar of talent scouts for some time, with many hoping to persuade him to give showbiz a try.
"Madami na rin po kasing naging offer na pumasok ever since I was a teenager," he tells.
"It was only recently, maybe last year, end of last year, na I really thought about it and heavily considered it."
What ultimately convinced Robbie was, he says, the thought that challenging himself at this stage of his life was good for his personal growth.
Says he philosophically, "We grow the most when we're placed in uncomfortable situations."
Continuing, he says, "So, I figured na samantalang may opportunity pumasok ng show business, it makes me uncomfortable to think about it."
But, he himself says, "Who knows? Maybe this is the, you know, the next step that I need to take to help me grow into the person I'm supposed to be."
robbie GROWs UP IN A FAMILY OF ACHIEVERS
Robbie deserves a real tap on the shoulder for wanting to carve his own path. It certainly would have been easier to rest on the reach of his family name.
He comes from a line of a veritable who's who of Philippine society in sports, business, entertainment, and politics.
Robbie's middle name and surname just very naturally draw attention.
His mother, Mikee Cojuangco, is a former actress, a multi-awarded equestrienne, and a member of the International Olympic Committee board.
She is also part of the influential Cojuangco clan, whose notable members include her father, Peping Cojuangco, a former Tarlac politician and former Philippine Olympic Committee president; business tycoon and Marcos crony Danding Cojuangco; actress and television host Kris Aquino; Corazon "Cory" Aquino, the Philippines' first female president and a democracy icon; and Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, the country’s 15th president.
Robbie's dad, Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr., is a politician currently serving as Pasig City's vice-mayor.
But Dodot is perhaps best remembered for his brief yet memorable stint in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the country's No. 1 pro league, where he played alongside his father, Robert Jaworski Sr., for the fan magnets Ginebra San Miguel and Gordon's Gin.
Read: Ginebra retires Robert Jaworski's No. 7 jersey
Dubbed "The Big J," Jaworski Sr. is an icon in local basketball. This status served him in good stead when he ran for the senate, where he would serve from 1998 to 2004.
Robbie has always been keenly aware of his family's fame and prestige.
"Maybe six years old, or five—very young," Robbie answers when asked when he first realized he was part of a prominent family.
"Kasi, s'yempre din po, you see naman nakikita din po namin yung kilos ng mga magulang namin at yung mga lolo at lola namin.
"Laging may lumalapit sa kanila na humihingi ng picture, nagpapasalamat para sa kanilang serbisyo, or because they got to inspire them a certain way.
"So, ever since, I already knew na that's not normal."
Of course, it's hard to overlook the perks of being part of a famous family—given extra attention, accorded the “VIP treatment,” and addressed by people around as “boss” or “sir” even when he was just a child.
Be that as it may, Robbie generally grew up away from the spotlight, allowing him a semblance of normalcy and the chance to experience the everyday moments of boys his age.
"While I've gotten to experience luxury, I've also gotten to experience simplicity," is how Robbie sums it up.
Read: How Mikee Cojuangco Teaches Her Sons to Leave Their 'Privilege' at the Door
Growing up in Tarlac, Robbie was exposed to the exotic delicacies popular among locals, like the fried beetle (salagubang), frog, and snake.
As a student, he commuted via public vehicles from home to school to avoid the time-consuming process of having to find parking space.
Robbie also recalls using public transportation—buses, jeepneys, tricycles— when commuting to San Beda in Alabang during his stay in Las Piñas.
He says he followed the same routine during his time at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, taking tricycles to and from the Ateneo to the UP Town Center or taking the P2P (Point To Point or nonstop) buses to reach his destination.
"So, I learned to commute kasi I got to enjoy that privacy, na kahit kilala yung mga magulang ko, hindi ako yung kilala — walang makakilala sa akin."
DEALING WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Although the social status of his loved ones is anything but ordinary, Robbie believes their success stems from hard work.
"So, ever since at a young age, I saw na my parents, although yes, very loved and mukhang glamorous yung buhay, nagsipag din sila para magkaroon ng ganyan na impluwensya," says Robbie.
Growing up surrounded by high-profile achievers undoubtedly comes with its share of expectations, although Robbie thinks the pressures stem more from external sources than from within his family.
As he recounts, "My entire life, even before I was born, I was told na people already expected me to be someone or become something.
"Whether that be in basketball, politics, horseback riding, even acting — I've always been expected to do something along those lines."
Robbie learned to channel people's expectations into a motivation to excel.
"I hear the pressure, but hindi ko po siya dinidibdib," says Robbie.
"Dahil the moment I allow it to affect me, baka mas lalo pa akong hindi makapagtrabaho."
He adds, "I'm focused lang on myself, on who I am, na pinalaki ako as a person with virtues, and marunong naman din po ako magtrabaho.
"I'll just be myself and then, hopefully, along the way we can gain the same type of influence or inspire the same amount of people, or more.
"But I'm just enjoying the ride."
Robbie credits his parents for giving him the freedom "to make my own mistakes and learn through my own experiences."
Says the 24-year-old, "Basta naka-align yung values nila sa values ko at nakikita nila yun sa sinasabi ko, sa kilos ko, sa gawa ko—happy sila."
FOLLOWING IN HIS MOM'S FOOTSTEPS
What was his parents' reaction when they learned about his decision to join showbiz?
"I actually didn't tell them that I was joining showbiz," replies Robbie.
"I told them from the beginning pa lang, I'm thinking about joining showbiz. So, kasama po sila sa proseso ko ng paggawa ng decision."
Robbie names DoReMi as his favorite Mikee Cojuangco movie.
The 1996 musical comedy was a hit, featuring Mikee alongside singers Donna Cruz and Regine Velasquez.
Read: 15 reasons why we miss Donna-Regine-Mikee's movie DoReMi
Interestingly, Robbie reveals that he occasionally sings "I Can," the movie's theme song, "sa karaoke 'pag walang nakatingin."
Robbie adds that he couldn’t stand seeing his mom paired with male actors.
Read: Mikee Cojuangco recounts scolding two actors who fought over her
“Sa totoo lang po, medyo nagseselos ako para sa daddy ko – sa mga movies with, may Tito Aga [Muhlach] or with Cesar Montano,” Robbie says candidly.
“So, when I was a kid, nagseselos talaga ako, parang, ‘Ba't may kasamang ibang lalaki ang mommy ko?’ So I never used to like to watch [her films].”
Of course, today Robbie has a better understanding of it all as just part of an actor’s job in an imagined world.
How open is Robbie to a romantic pairing in showbiz?
Fans have floated the idea of him being in a love team with Atasha Muhlach, the daughter of actor Aga Muhlach and former actress and beauty queen Charlene Gonzales, or even with recent Pinoy Big Brother winner Fyang Smith.
“Well, I actually know Atasha since high school. I know her and Andres and sila Tito Aga and Tita Charlene,” says Robbie.
“I wanted sana to be able to explore my identity as an individual," Robbie comments, "without having to associate my brand or reputation as a person with someone else first.”
Then says, “But, of course, I'd be happily honored to work with anybody.
“I think right now, it's not in my immediate plans to be joined in a love team, but rather to have the honor and privilege of working with different co-actors, and experiencing what I can.
“I'm going to develop yung pagiging artista in acting and hosting,” he adds. “I think, right now, those are the two na I can see I have strengths in. I think that's enough for now to develop.”
He goes on, “But something I want to do is I never want to stop improving. So, no matter what the new experiences, maybe I'll take it. Basta it contributes to my growth.”
He reveals that he says he has favorite actors.
John Lloyd Cruz is one. "Sana ganoon ako kagaling ipakita o i-convey yung aking mga emosyon," Robbie says in praise.
Two others are Tom Cruise and Jackie Chan because "they do their own stunts." Robbie dreams of one day starring in an action film.
LOOKING FORWARD TO LIFE AS AN ACTOR
While Robbie enjoyed relative anonymity in his childhood and teenage years, things promise to be different now. After all, he is now officially a part of show business.
“I try not to pressure myself from outside noise kasi I really will feel pressured,” he tells.
“I try to simplify it, in the sense na basta magtrabaho, do it as it happens.
“Kasi if I think about it in its entirety, kaka-overwhelm, e. S'yempre, parang so many people are watching.
“If I think about it all, I won't go anywhere.
“But if I take it one thing at a time, then I can get it done.”
Robbie describes himself as “playful, hardworking, and a child at heart.”
He adds, “When I'm very close to someone, I'm very loving and malambing.
“Madaldal, minsan. Makulit talaga ako, for sure. Everyone says when they get to know me, makulit akong tao.”
He also loves the outdoors, food, cars, and sports, particularly basketball, something that he inherited from his father.
Trivia: During his student years, Robbie was a basketball varsity player and earned Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.
However, he chose not to pursue a basketball career, explaining that "it’s not that easy"; noting, "There are so many people in the Philippines who play basketball."
How does Robbie react to female fans?
“When it comes to the female admirers, I'm lucky naman na I don't have too many disrespectful experiences,” Robbie says.
“Nakakakilig naman po siya s'yempre.
“Nakaka-flatter 'pag alam mo na may nagaguwapuhan sa 'yo or may pinakilig ka.
“S'yempre nakaka-flatter. Nakakakilig din po yun para sa 'kin.”
But what really excites Robbie, by his telling, is the idea of working as an actor, embracing its responsibilities, and honing the craft.
“To see how much I can grow as an individual sa mga project ko and everything,” says the young man.
“What I'm scared of? Siguro natatakot ako na baka magkamali ako unintentionally sa sinabi ko or may ma-offend ako or mapahiya ako.
“Ayaw ko lang yun, e. I want talaga lahat tayo happy, lahat tayo panalo.”
It might be too soon to say, but Robbie envisions himself in the years to come as "established, successful, and continuing to succeed" in showbiz.
“I see myself na at that time, supposedly, I have experienced and explored already as an actor – mas komportable na ako sa industriya.”
Robbie adds, “Hopefully, I have bigger charitable advocacy projects. You know, larger scale.
“To answer the question straight, in five years or six years, I see myself doing the same things, but bigger.”
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jo-Ann Maglipon
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Karen Pagsolingan
LIFESTYLE & SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: Nikko Tuazon
SHOOT PRODUCERS: Karen Pagsolingan, Katrina Gangcuango
TEXT: Bong Godinez
INTERVIEW: Karen Pagsolingan
CREATIVE DIRECTION: Carlo Maala
PHOTOGRAPHY: Stephen Capuchino
ASSISTED by Jobo Nacpil and Meinard Navato
STYLING: David Milan
GROOMING: Posh Torres
VIDEO & BILLBOARD PRODUCERS: Katrina Gangcuangco, Rommel Llanes, Khym Manalo, Richford Unciano, Micah Moleno, and Seleen Simora
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Mark Martinez
SOCIAL MEDIA: Allyanah Calinao
SPECIAL THANKS: Manager Monch Novales, Road Manager Sharlene Opulencia, Thess Gubi, and Frances Joson of Star Magic
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