The pilot week of “The Alibi” drew us into the life of Vincent Cabrera, portrayed by Paulo Avelino, whose superb performance earned positive reactions from netizens and viewers alike. His nuanced acting added depth to both his character and the story.
As an investigative journalist, Vincent dreams of leading Cabrera News. But his ambition quickly crumbles when he himself becomes the subject of a murder investigation. Relive these 10 standout acting moments from Paulo Avelino that had us even more captivated watching “The Alibi.”
1. Walter breaks the news to Vincent
Vincent arrives at the office and bumps into Walter (Sam Milby), who is delighted to see him, eager to share an announcement. Vincent grows furious when Walter reveals Arthur’s (John Arcilla) plans to shut down Cabrera News. “May mga kausap na akong possible investors,” Vincent insists, determined that Cabrera News will not close.
Walter reiterates that he is merely following orders from higher management, despite all their efforts to save the company. Vincent pleads for more time to deliver the improvements they need. “Time is also money, Vincent,” Walter replies. But Vincent stops him from making any official announcement as he seeks to find a way to keep the company afloat.
2. Vincent asks Arthur for an ultimatum
After Walter informs him of what’s next for Cabrera News, Vincent appeals directly to Arthur, convincing him not to proceed with the plan. But Arthur, as chairman, reminds him that the final decisions rest solely in his hands, even as Vincent pleads for the future of their employees.
Arthur eventually lays bare his perspective “Truth is not important to people anymore, Vincent. Ngayon, pinaniniwalaan ng tao ang gusto niyang paniwalaan.” Though once a journalist himself, Arthur adds, “No one wants to read serious journalism now, so ano pa ang silbi ng digital channel?” He goes further, pointing out that fake news has become widespread, and, tragically, what people are most likely to believe.
3. Walter as the next CEO of Cabrera News
Vincent had gained unexpected traction for Cabrera News due to his viral coverage, and he believed it would earn him the role of CEO. But at Arthur’s birthday party, he shocks everyone by announcing Walter as the newest head of the company, leaving Vincent disappointed. Later, he confronts Arthur about the decision.
“Pinagtakpan ko ang Cabrera Land, pinrotektahan ko ‘yung mga kaibigan mo. I sacrificed my dignity to protect you, all for Cabrera News,” Vincent declares. Arthur counters, as he never asked Vincent to do any of that, insisting it was all done out of Vincent’s own free will, with the intent of gaining something in return. Vincent feels invalidated, realizing Arthur never truly treated him as his own son, despite having adopted him.
4. Vincent and Walter's heated argument
Walter and Vincent get into a tense exchange. “Konti na lang tao natin, puro pera na lang ba?” Vincent reminds Walter not to use the platform of public affairs as a business, since its main purpose is to serve the people. “Alam mo, Vincent, may dahilan kung bakit ako na-promote bilang CEO. Dahil kung ikaw ‘yan, puso mo lang ang gagamitin mo, and the company would suffer.” Walter explains, asking Vincent to just accept that he failed to get the position.
“Sino ka ba sa tingin mo, ha? Scholar ka lang ng tatay ko. Pero kung umasta ka, akala mo anak ka ng may-ari ng kompanya.” Vincent insults Walter, telling him that he is just another puppet of Arthur. Walter fires back, “Ano bang halaga ng pagiging Cabrera, if all your life, you have to beg para sa lahat ng gusto mo?” This prompts Vincent to attack him physically.
5. Claudia calls Vincent ‘desperate’
Keeping secret the fact that he had caught his wife, Claudia (Sofia Andres), and Walter in their affair, Vincent listens to Claudia intently, taking in everything she has to say. “Everyone thinks you're a loser, Vincent. Kaya pati ‘yang tatay mo, hindi ka pinaniniwalaan.” Claudia retorts that Vincent is nothing, even calling him desperate for wanting to prove himself. “Cabrera News practically became your mistress. Kaya nga ako nag-file ng annulment dati, diba?”
Vincent can no longer contain himself and tells Claudia that she is supposed to be supporting him as his family. “Ginawa ko lahat para ayusin ‘tong pagsasama natin.” But he is reminded that he cannot fix everything no matter how hard he tries. “Mag-isip isip ka naman.”
6. Walter's betrayal
After his confrontation with Claudia, Vincent walks over to Walter's villa, where he is welcomed by the drunk man. Vincent curses at him, “Tinuring kitang kaibigan, kapatid.” Walter asks if he is drawing from the frustration of him becoming the new head of Cabrera News, telling Vincent to move on and get over it.
The latter drops the question, “Kasama ba si Claudia sa listahan ng mga kukunin mo sa akin? Alam kong may nangyayari sa inyong dalawa.” This baffles Walter for a moment, but he quickly puts on a smug face. “Anong pakiramdam, ha? ‘Yung walang-wala ka, ‘yung career mo, pagiging Cabrera, pati asawa mo?” He mocks Vincent.
7. Stella defends herself against Vincent
From their minimal interactions in different situations, Vincent finally gets to know the other side of Stella (Kim Chiu), as an escort. After watching her performance, he approaches her, but Stella acts dismissive. “Sinusundan mo ba ako?” she asks. Vincent, drunk, throws inappropriate remarks that make her uncomfortable. “Ganyan naman kayong lahat, diba?” he says, but Stella remains unfazed. “Alam mo, kung may problema ka, iwan mo sa labas. Walang lugar ‘yang problema mo dito.”
Vincent’s next question comes off as an insult, “Magkano ka ba? Name your price, babayaran kita. Siguraduhin mo lang na mapapaligaya mo ‘ko.” Stella tries to walk away, but when Vincent pulls her back, she slaps him across the face. “Sinabi nang hindi, eh. Alam mo, hindi ako basta-basta. Hindi ko sinasamahan ang kahit na sino dito. Bayaran nga kami, pero hindi lahat ng gusto mo, makukuha mo.” She firmly tells him.
8. Vincent under fire
As the investigation regarding Walter's case continues, the authorities summon Vincent to ask further questions about his whereabouts during the night Walter died. Ricardo (Ian De Leon) inquires about how Vincent was supposed to do coverage that night, but the staff do not tell the authorities that the supposed schedule did not push through. When asked where he was during the night Walter died, Vincent loses his temper for a moment. “Teka nga, pinagbibintangan n’yo ba ‘ko sa nangyari kay Walter? Because if yes, then I will need my lawyer.”
Ricardo fires back at Vincent, asking him how it feels now to be interrogated, drawing from his experience of being blamed for crimes. “So, this is personal? On the record ba ‘to?” Vincent questions them, before walking out of the room, reminding them that detaining someone without a warrant of arrest is prohibited.
9. Claudia's suspicions towards Vincent
While the investigation is ongoing, Claudia cannot help but suspect Vincent, knowing that he harbors ill feelings toward Walter for getting the CEO position of Cabrera News. “Ano? Hindi mo matanggap na mas deserve niya ang promotion na ‘yon kaysa sa’yo? Galit na galit ka nun.” Claudia adds that Vincent could almost do the impossible whenever he’s mad. “Are you serious right now? Hindi ko siya pinatay.”
Claudia presses further, asking what Vincent was doing the night Walter died. Vincent grows enraged as he refuses to answer any of her questions. “You’re my wife! Asawa kita pero ikaw ang unang magbibintang sa akin? Hindi sapat na nakuha ni Walter ‘yung CEO position para patayin ko siya.” Vincent lashes out, asking why Claudia is so deeply affected. She answers that Walter had been their long-time friend, and Vincent’s actions make him look guilty.
10. Vincent through his daughter's eyes
Later on, as Vincent thinks things through, his daughter Bea (Ayesha Bajeta) approaches him to show her drawing of a hero, taking inspiration from her father, Vincent himself. This warms his heart. “Kasi pag may bad dreams ako, ikaw lagi ‘yung tumatabi sa akin. Pinapatawa mo ako kapag malungkot ako.” Bea sees her father as someone strong.
The little girl notices the scar on Vincent’s lips, to which he explains that it is nothing and that he is not a perfect father after all. “Kahit anong mangyari, ikaw pa rin hero ko, Daddy.” Vincent asks what would happen if he were gone, but Bea refuses to think of such an idea.
See Paulo Avelino deliver even more powerful scenes in “The Alibi: Ang Buong Katotohanan” weeknights at 8 PM on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) on YouTube and Facebook. Episodes drop seven days ahead on iWant.