“They also found in combat the closest brotherhood they ever knew. They found selflessness. They found they could love the other guy in their foxhole more than themselves. They found that in war, men who loved life would give their lives for them.”

Thus wrote renowned author Stephen Ambrose in his 1992 World War II book “Band of Brothers,” which later became a hit TV series back in the early 2000 with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg as executive producers.

That quote could very well describe the bond that exists between Quezon City Councilor (District 5) Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas and his brother, actor-politician Congressman Alfred Vargas. On a war zone, they are certainly not. But the two brothers have gone through – and won—many battles in life together.

With only a two-year age gap, and roommates for more than two decades, the brothers grew up and shared many memories together. Thanks to their parents who gave him and his siblings “a lot of independence.”

“That gave way to my adventures with Kuya. Since we were also roommates for 26 years, we went through almost everything together. We would be out with his friends, my friends, exploring the world, getting our hearts beating together, and at times, getting rejected together,” PM recalls.

“It was very nice having a classmate during the milestones of life. That first time I was in love, the first car accident, the grind while studying, that night I came home from joining the fraternity, and all those sorts of things, Kuya and I were together while our Ate Bunny and Ditse Caron were the counterparts. Until now, we know how strong our sibling bonds are, perhaps even stronger than ever, especially when our parents passed away,” he adds.

Their two elder sisters have chosen to live a more private life, PM and Alfred pursued similar paths—at first in the field of entertainment and later on, in politics. Not too many people actually know this: PM was into plays at a very young age when he used to join plays in his kindergarden days at Maryknoll Child Study Center and had a stint as a model for the Plaza Fair department store. Alfred on the other hand joined Tanghalang Ateneo in college and started ramp modeling at the same time. His big break in TV was when he played Aquil in GMA’s toprating, legendary fantaserye, Encantadia, in 2005. He entered showbiz as he graduated with a degree in AB Management Economics in Ateneo de Manila and became one of the most followed matinee idols in the 2000s.

As Alfred pursued his passion for acting, PM, an AB Political Science graduate of the same university, concentrated on business. But his love for music and performing was never extinguished—something that he still shares with his legislator brother, who is already in his last term as a congressman, graduating in June 2022.

“I got my musical interest from Kuya! He first joined the boys choir, the first to pick up a guitar, and the first to attempt to join a band. Being this “tag along” brother that I was, I ended up continuing my passion for music to high school, college, and to this very day. I can appreciate 40s, 50s music, until some songs now,” shares PM.

No doubt, music played a big part in their lives. The special rapport between the two brothers are very evident every time they go live together on their respective Facebook pages. Aside from the usual kamustahan, sharing of ideas and addressing their constituents’ needs, the Facebook Live #GoodPM broadcast won’t be complete without their jamming session, with PM playing the guitar while singing with Cong Alfred.

For PM, his Kuya Alfred was (and still is) an anchor, a source of strength and inspiration, especially now that they are both in the same world. He has filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) to run for Congressman with the hope of continuing the programs and projects of his elder brother. The older Vargas, meanwhile, despite his original plan to take a break from politics, has decided to run for the Councilor post that is presently held by PM.

In an earlier interview, Alfred shared he wanted to spend more time with the family and be there for the kids while they are growing up.

“People were asking me to run for a national position, but I declined as I have been in Congress for nine straight years. I wanted to step back a bit...concentrate on the family and help PM out in his bid for Congress,” he pointed out.

Alfred continued: “However, my supporters and political allies prevailed upon me not to leave Quezon City and the community which I serve so I agreed to run for Councilor in our District. I guess in this way I can achieve more of my goals...Be close to the family and continue serving my constituents.”

The QC lawmaker believes his younger brother, having been his Chief of Staff in Congress for nine years and later on as elected councilor, is now ripe to advance the “Alagang Vargas” brand that advocates the values taught by their late mother Atty. Ching Vargas, who served in Malacanang during the term of Presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Arroyo. “I am certain that given the chance, he will exceed all the accomplishments I had for the fifth district of Quezon City. He’s a visionary. He’s a man of action. This, coming from the ‘kuya’ himself,” he added.

“At an early age, we knew what public service was about by example. Our mom taught us the value of ‘Alagang Vargas’—our slogan and family promise, where a premium is put on being self-less and expecting nothing in return. It’s about serving the people, providing them opportunities and giving them the time and dedication that is due them and that they deserve,” he adds.

“When my mother was on her death bed, her last words to me and PM were: INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, COMPETENCE,” Alfred emotionally shared.

Now that the brothers intend to swap positions, Alfred is confident younger brother PM will be able to champion the “Alagang Vargas” advocacy and continue what he has started as the first representative of the Fifth District.

“I guess PM has been able to embrace this family advocacy and he is now ready to serve a higher calling,” says the actor-legislator, who was once awarded the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for Public Service.

For PM, if elected congressman, he will have very big shoes to fill as a successor of his multi-awarded public servant Kuya Alfred, who recently just got his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

“But even if there’s pressure, I’m up for the challenge,” PM declares. “Hard work makes us better people and if I want to succeed in following Kuya’s footsteps, working hard and having the heart to truly serve and help are the two best weapons in my arsenal.”

As a Councilor, one of PM’s achievements that he is so proud to have initiated was the creation of the Solo Parents Affairs Office in Quezon City. The ordinance that established the office, he said, was a tribute to their mother, who made sure he and his siblings were taken care of very well after their father died.

‘When it was passed on Third reading, I was very ecstatic. Solo parents were coming to my office left and right thanking me because finally, they had a clear place they can go to for help from our city. That made me feel so happy and sentimental and I would always look up to quietly say, ‘this is for you, Mom’,” PM shares.

PM says his platform in Congress would be a continuity of the Vargas brand of public service that will focus on Trabaho (job creation), Palupa (land ownership), Edukasyon (Education), and Kalusugan (Health)—basic needs that haven’t reached a lot of Filipinos, including his own District 5 in QC.

In the area of health, PM made special mention Republic Act 11215 or the Cancer Control Act of 2019, the passage of which was supported and advocated by Rep. Vargas at the Lower House.

Having lost their parents to the “Big C,” the younger Vargas said he hopes to push for the government “to take cancer care towards the patients and affected families” by supporting the many initiatives contained in the law.

“We’re also praying that through these steps, we can shoot for the stars and actually have the Republic of the Philippines become a force for cancer cure,” PM says.

Now that he’s taking public service a notch higher, he can only thank his Kuya Alfred for the person that he is today.

“My kuya is my mentor. If given a chance, I would want to further promote our brand of service. Yung ‘Alagang Vargas’ na inumpisahan nya at pinangako namin kay Mommy. Itutuloy ko yan. I will hold myself to a higher standard of service that Alfred can be proud of,” he concludes.