AJ Raval and Aljur Abrenica are "Getting to Know Each Other"

Aljur Abrenica is the talk of the town once again after he is photographed at the mall with a certain AJ Raval. Shortly after, the actress herself revealed the real score between her and Abrenica stating that she could “definitely fall in love with him.” Netizens can’t help but put their two cents in, especially after Abrenica’s split earlier this year with his ex-wife Kylie Padilla was stained with news of a third party involved. So who is AJ Raval? What’s going on between her and Aljur? And more importantly, what does Kylie Padilla have to say about it?

Spotted: Aljur Abrenica HHWW with someone in a mall

Photos of Abrenica at the mall circulated online and caused a ruckus, especially since he was holding a girl’s hand while walking. Noticeably, the girl is not his ex-wife, Padilla. Internet sleuths later deduced the girl was indeed his Nerisa co-star, Raval. The pair even entertained taking photos with a fan inside a store which indicates that they’re comfortable being seen together in public.

Is it the new “Baguio as a friend?”

shopping as a friend lang Aj and Aljur pic.twitter.com/ITeHOvFcsG

— (@aminsmh) October 7, 2021

Netizens were dismayed by the photos and what they meant since Abrenica is fresh from his split with Padilla. Many can’t help but wonder (and poke fun) if he will brush the incident off as a new version of Paolo Contis and Yen Santos’ infamous “Baguio as a friend.” But it turns out that this pair actually has a label they’re ready to share with the world.

Who is AJ Raval?

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A post shared by Aj Raval (@ajravsss)

Raval is the 21-year-old sexy actress who is the daughter of action star Jeric Raval. She stars alongside Abrenica in VIVA Films’ 2021 movie Nerisa written by Ricky Lee. Raval is also a vlogger with a whopping 1.4 million subscribers on YouTube.

She recently broke up with former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Axel Torre. In her vlog entitled “Assumptions About Me,” Raval admits that one of the reasons why her most recent boyfriend broke up with her was because she couldn’t take things seriously. According to her ex, it was a sign of immaturity but according to the actress, that’s just how she deals with things.

AJ Raval admits Aljur Abrenica is courting her

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A post shared by Aljur Abrenica (@ajabrenica)

It turns out netizens didn’t need to be kept in the dark for long about the status of Abrenica and Raval’s relationship. The star herself admitted that 31-year-old Abrenica was courting her. “Yes, totoo. Hindi ako magpapakaipokrita. Di na ako magsisinungaling, di na ako magde-deny, kasi mukha lang kaming tanga kapag nag-deny kami. Well, totoo naman na nag-uusap kami,” Raval said.

According to her, Abrenica’s style of courting her was “old school.” He even went to her parents to ask for permission. Raval also admitted that he was talking about Aljur on her vlog with Donnalyn Bartolome a few weeks ago where she casually mentioned her only suitor.

“Yung nag-iisa na yun, ramdam na ramdam ko talaga na special ako,” she told Donnalyn who in turn asked her if she’s going to give the suitor an answer. “Hindi ko pa alam, pero na-appreciate ko siya. Pero di pa lang siguro ako ready rin pumasok sa relationship kasi kakagaling ko lang sa relationship.”

A “good and pure man”?

Aj Raval: Napakabuting tao po ni Aljur.

Girl, no good man can leave his kid/s and wife for another woman. How proud of you naman being the cause of a family to be broken for your own happiness. Hindi SANA MANGYARI DIN SAYO NANGYARI KAY KYLIE AND HER FAMILY. Just sayin. pic.twitter.com/yvH0fCVq8o

— #LabanLeni2022 (@AngManunupa) October 7, 2021

Raval seems to be completely smitten with her suitor. During a recent interview with DZRH, she gushed about the actor: “Puwede na po akong ma-inlove sa kanya. Kahit sino naman po. Napakabuting tao po ni Aljur. Napaka-pure po, totoong tao.”

Aljur Abrenica splits with Kylie Padilla

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A post shared by Aljur Abrenica (@ajabrenica)

Last July, Robin Padilla himself confirmed that his daughter separated from Abrenica. He even hinted at a third party. At the time, netizens were linking Abrenica to his other Nerisa co-star, Cindy Miranda, and actress Erin Ocampo. Miranda has denied the allegations while Ocampo simply introduced everyone to her Nigerian boyfriend.

Abrenica and Padilla got married in December 2018 and have two sons together, Alas Joaquin and Axl Romeo. They have agreed to co-parent their boys following the separation. But everyone knows theirs wasn’t a clean split, especially since Padilla took to social media last February 2021 with cryptic posts.

Kylie has said her piece

Guys there is no issue. We separated April pa and we have already mutually agreed to date other people. Please stop dragging other parties into this. I have no intention of disclosing anymore of what happened because I want to cherish the littlest ounce of privacy I have left.

— kylienicolep (@kylienicolep) October 1, 2021

What does Abrenica’s estranged wife have to say about it? Padilla took to social media on Oct. 1, amid Abrenica-Raval rumors, to say that “there is no issue.” She and Abrenica split last April and “mutually agreed to date other people.” Padilla also asked people to “stop dragging other parties” into the whole issue and let her have her privacy. as for how her sons are dealing with the split, she shares that they “are happy and stable.”

Thank you for everyone’s concern. The boys are happy and stable. Which is our main priority. Love and light to everyone.

— kylienicolep (@kylienicolep) October 1, 2021

Translation: Padilla could not care less and she just wants to be left in peace. Good for her.

But the internet is never at peace

Padilla might be taking things in stride but netizens won’t take the revelations sitting down. “AJ Raval,” “Kylie,” and “Aljur” trended on Thursday morning. There’s an outpouring of support for Padilla and criticism for Aljur.