As 2026 officially began, celebrity mom and actress AJ Raval marked the first day of the year not with grand words, but with a simple message of gratitude to her partner, Aljur Abrenica. On January 1, the actress took to Instagram to share a video compilation made up of their candid moments, capturing memories that reflected their love.
The video showed the couple enjoying simple joys together from celebrating birthdays with AJ blowing a candle, sharing lighthearted dance moments, being playful, posing for photos during beach trips, date nights, to quiet moments at home.
Alongside the video, AJ wrote a short but touching message that summed up her feelings for the actor.
“Not everything needs explaining. Just appreciation. Thank you Aljur 💕,” she captioned the post.
READ: AJ Raval shares with Kylie Padilla a video of their children playing together: 'Rumble yan'
AJ paired the montage with the lyrics of the song "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)," a track whose words speak of love that grows naturally and joyfully with the right person.
Some netizens initially thought AJ was celebrating her birthday after seeing her blow out a candle in one of the clips, prompting her to quickly clear things up with humor.
“HINDI KO PO BIRTHDAY 😭😭😭,” she wrote, explaining that the post was simply her way of expressing gratitude, with no special occasion attached.
The post drew warm reactions from followers, many of whom shared their support and admiration for the couple.
“I love it and i love the freedom you have 😍❤️❤️ and peace of mind.. stay in love ❤️,” one commented.
“I can see that you two are genuinely in love,” another wrote.
Not long after, AJ shared another Instagram post showing how they welcomed the new year as a family. The video featured Aljur and their children running around their garden, laughing and playing as they celebrated with sparklers.
AJ’s sweet and candid posts followed her recent interview with Boy Abunda, where she spoke openly about her family and relationship, and addressed long-standing rumors linking her to Aljur’s breakup with Kylie Padilla.
READ: AJ Raval looks back on becoming a mom at 17 years old: ‘I gave birth in a lying-in clinic’
In the same interview, AJ also expressed how excited she was for the holidays after finally being open about their family to the public. “Actually, sobrang excited ko ngayon parang may mga plans na ako lalo na ngayon mag Christmas, maraming park. Kinalakihan ko kasi yun–– lagi kaming dinadala sa park nung bata. Gusto ko yun ipa-experience sa mga kids.”
That excitement was reflected in the snippets she later shared of their Christmas party celebration at home with the Raval family, filled with games, laughter, and music, including Aljur singing his viral cover of “Past Lives”.
It was in early November when AJ admitted that she has five children, three of whom she shares with Aljur. AJ also revealed that her second child had passed away. Meanwhile, the actor also shares two sons with his former partner, Kylie.