Councilor Alfred Vargas (left) and his brother Cong. Patrick Michael 'PM' Vargas

Actor-Councilor Alfred Vargas of Quezon City has confirmed that he does not have any sibling rivalry with his younger brother, Cong. Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas (5th District of Quezon City). Instead, the two have enjoyed numerous positive experiences and created lasting memories together.

"Noong bata kami nag-aaway din naman kami but he's my best friend. Siya yung tao na talagang nakakakilala sa akin," revealed Alfred when asked if he and his younger brother PM would also engaged in petty fights when they were younger, during a lunch with the entertainment press in Quezon City recently.

(When we were kids, we also fought, but he's my best friend. He's the person who really knows me.)

Alfred added: "Meron din kaming highs and lows pero siya pa rin talaga yung tinatakbuhan ko." (We also have highs and lows but he is still the one I run to.)

"We went through everything together. Simpleng pamilya lang naman kami. Tutoo yung nag-aaway din kami pero marami rin akong lessons in life na natutunan sa kanya," said PM. "Noong mga bata pa kami, away-magkapatid. Pero ngayon wala na dahil nagkakaintidihan na kami."

A life event that strengthened their sibling relationship was that they were circumcised at the same time.

"Sabay kaming tinuli. Sa Sta. Maria, Bulacan 'yun. Isang kwarto lang kami," recalled Alfred. (We were circumcised at the same time. It was in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. We only shared one room.)

On the accomplishments of PM as a congressman, Alfred said: "PM is a hardworking congressman. Masipag."

"You have to get pointers from the master. Halos lahat ng advice niya ay sinunod ko. Marami na rin siyang nasimulan at itinuloy ko. Until now, tinutulungan pa rin ako ni kuya. Maganda naman yung rating natin sa Congress so very happy rin ako because not a lot of congressmen have a brother who can help you. Lalo na first year pa lang natin. I'm happy with the results," PM said.

(You have to get pointers from the master. I followed almost all of his advice. He has also started and continued many things. Until now, my brother is still helping me. Our rating in Congress is good so I am also very happy because not a lot of congressmen have a brother who can help you. Especially since it's only our first year. I'm happy with the results.)

PM has stated that his older brother Alfred was a prominent figure in shaping his political beliefs and career.

“My kuya is my mentor. 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 added.

The Vargas brothers reminisced about their youth.

"Since we were also roommates for more than 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.

“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," PM also said.

Many may not know it but 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 when 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 of the songs now,” shared PM.

Alfred also revealed that his brother PM is co-producer in almost all of the films he made.

"That's why I'm thankful na nagagawa ko rin yung mga role na gusto because he's co-producing the movies," the actor said. "Minsan nag-a-audition pa ako sa kanya."

(That's why I'm thankful that I can do the roles I want because he's co-producing the movies. Sometimes I even audition for him.)