It's a parable we're all too familiar with: Two powerhouse celebrities link up, fall in love, and have children of their own. As they come of age, these scions attract the eyes of the nation, with many waiting to see how (or if) they'll follow in their mom and pop's footsteps.
Much has been discussed about the cyclical nature of celebrification. In an industry like show business, an established last name often precedes one's reputation. In some cases, it's a foot in the door, and then some.
But not every celebrity descendant is automatically handed opportunities to thrive. The industry is competitive as it is, and with several promising talents entering the scene every year, one has to toil a bit harder lest they're cast aside as just another carbon copy of their parents.
Growing up, Robbie Jaworski was made aware that his parents—basketball legend and politician Robert Jaworski Jr. and entertainment elite and International Olympic Committee member Mikee Cojuangco—were famous. Even though he was never explicitly told they were.
"I think I was maybe five or six years old [at the time.] Simple things like going to the mall were kind of difficult. It would take us like 45 minutes to get out dahil madaming nagpa-picture sa kanila," he recalls to Preview.
"There were times when people [didn't] recognize my brothers and me. Their fans would be so focused on getting their attention na minsan natutulak pa kami. And that's when I knew. I was like, oh, my parents are famous."
Looking back, it wasn't something the 24-year-old saw negatively. As he matured, he realized that it would be remiss for the common bystander (who's at least a bit well-versed in Philippine pop culture) to catch sight of his parents and not want something as simple as a photo with them. "The reason why they stay relevant until today is because they [did and continue to do] good work," he puts it.
Coming into 2025, Robbie has made the big decision to formally dive into the world of show business, having signed with Star Magic in November of last year. Rather than seeing his lineage as a reputation to live up to, he regards it as a guiding force. "That's my focus, to just do good work, you know," he says.
Robbie Jaworski on Show Biz and Style
Even through a video call, you can already catch a whiff of Robbie's boy-next-door charisma. There's a depth to his voice that's reminiscent of history's most swoon-worthy lads. It's hard to think that someone as personable would end up with a career that doesn't involve stepping in front of a camera. But before he could even think of trying out for it, his parents required him to hit the books and graduate college first.
Robbie, as obedient as ever, did just that last 2023. However, it wasn't an obvious next step for him to immediately dive into the industry. He wanted to make use of his business degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and initially thought of working for his father's hotel business. However, a management offer from ABS-CBN came his way. After thinking things through, Robbie saw it as a means to "find a greater purpose." In his words, "it just felt like a good calling."
One of Robbie's favorite films, to little surprise, is DoReMi. From time to time, he would indulge in some karaoke with his mom, who many would argue was among the pioneering Filipina it girls. If there was anything he would want to emulate from Mikee, it would be her magnetic demeanor. "She conducts herself with a level of class and elegance that seems very effortless," he states.
This effortlessness is a key element of Mikee's personal style, which Robbie admires and hopes to adopt for himself. In his younger years, there was a template for how he dressed. "You got to have a collared shirt with fitted jeans, proper shoes, and a belt. You also need to have your hair combed to the side," he illustrates. Now that he's taking the reins of his career, and in turn, his style, he seeks to experiment a little bit more.
While a collared shirt and fitted jeans are still mainstays in his rotation, Robbie is open to adding a bit more flair to his sartorial choices. He shares, "We're trying to play with brighter colors, mixing and matching prints. I used to be a little conservative with my clothes, but now, I'm exploring and having fun with it."
He acknowledges that dressing well is sort of part of the job description when you're under the public eye. "You have to be more conscious about how you present yourself. You have to look your best," he admits.
In collaboration with his stylist David Milan, Robbie's steadily settling into a personal style that resonates with him, not solely as a celebrity, but more so as just himself. Fashion, as we've come to know, is an extension of who we are, and for someone making their introduction to audiences everywhere, a well-curated OOTD goes a long way.
In Robbie's eyes, he's in the right generation when it comes to maximizing fashion's transformative power. "There's a lot more room for personal creativity [with fashion] than it was in our parents' day and age, I think," he expresses. "Clothes nowadays are more creative and edgy, and I think that's very interesting because it allows each of us to explore our identities through clothes."
Robbie applies this open-minded approach to his burgeoning career. He'd love to see his high school chum Donny Pangilinan in action, who he thinks is "a very seasoned and experienced actor at this point." Aside from that, though, he's simply looking forward to whatever experiences along the way. When asked for his foresight ten years from now, Robbie hopes to be in a position where he can do good, just like his parents did.
"I hope that I've already established myself to an extent where my voice is heard and respected, and I have the influence to positively impact other people," he muses. "That's the goal. I think that's the biggest goal I've got."
Photographed by Shaira Luna
Styling by David Milan
Grooming by Peps Silvestre
Special thanks to Thess Gubi and Frances Joson of Star Magic
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