His character Greg Montenegro may be despised by some avid viewers of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo since he’s among the antagonists, but fans of seasoned actor RK Bagatsing surely admires him in real life. 

Well, not only because he is obviously dashing and genuinely talented, but he’s also a loving brother and awesome son to his family, as seen on his Instagram posts and TV interviews through the years. Many of us know that he’s the youngest brother of acclaimed actor Raymond Bagatsing and former actress Monina Bagatsing, to whom he’s very much close with. And we’re able to get a glimpse of their close-knit relationship through their Magandang Buhay interviews in the past years.  

It was in 2021 when the Bagatsing brothers guested in Magandang Buhay, wherein they talked about their childhood and bond as siblings as they grow old. Raymond described RK as “super kulit,” especially when he was still a kid, as well as “masayahin” and a “good guy.” According to Raymond, RK perhaps got it from him and their other brother Andrei, as he recounted how they would wrestle him when he was only a toddler. 

From being one of his first playmates, Raymond went on to become RK’s mentor not just in acting, but also in life. He recalled how he would frequently visit him at his home and join him in his shenanigans and even his tapings, which not only made them closer, but also enkindled his interest in acting. 

“Sa pagiging mentor, yes, tinuruan niya ako ng acting. But it was more than that e. He was really a role model for me,” RK conveyed. “Ang dami naming mga late-night talks lagi – talks about life in general. Kumbaga, I’ll always look back in those moments and nire-recognize ko ‘yon as something na nagdikta kung saan ako nagpunta sa buhay.”

Raymond then imparted that although his younger brother usually handles his problems all by himself, there are instances that he would call on him to ask for his advice, especially when RK was in his 20s. Thus, the latter feels blessed that his Kuya Raymond is always there for him 24/7 and he’s among those people who knows the right words to say when they need them. Besides, he’s also very much supportive of his relationship with actress Jane Oineza, which began in May 2021.

Despite being often compared to his Kuya Raymond, particularly during the early years of his acting career, RK doesn’t mind being called the “brother of Raymond Bagatsing” as he now takes pride of it. He said this after confessing that he actually used to kind of despise it before, since he wanted to have his own identity and be known for his skills. 

Aside from Raymond, RK is also close to her sisters Princess and Monina, which were able to see through their posts on Instagram and in their interviews in Magandang Buhay. During his guesting in 2016, his Ate Monina, through a pre-recorded video, reminisced about the times when he would cover her up to their parents everytime she went out with her friends to play billiards and protect her from the bullies. Their shenanigans together since they were younger have made them partners-in-crime.

“Thank you sa lahat ng times na kapag nagra-rant ako sa’yo or kapag may kailangan akong sabiin sa’yo o kapag nalulungkot ako, e lagi kang nandiyan for me. Sabi ko nga, I won’t be here now kung hindi rin sa lahat ng conversations na nangyari sa ating dalawa. Pinush mo rin ako para mapunta sa lugar na ‘to, so maraming salamat,” he told his Ate Monina. 

Almost a year later, he once again appeared on the morning show, but that time with his younger sister Princess. According to him, it was her who helped him during those times when he got financially-strapped as he was just starting then as an actor and who always gets his back whatever happens. And now that he has already gained the fruits of his labor, he makes sure to give back to her in every way he can. He even wrote a touching poem to express his gratitude and appreciation to her.

May we all have the same bond with our siblings, just like what RK has with his.