MANILA, DECEMBER 24, 2010 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - Ai-Ai delas Alas, star of Star Cinema's Ang Tanging Ina N'yo (Last Na 'To): No more blue Christmases | Zoom Christmas has taken on a special meaning for Ai-Ai delas Alas because of a heart-breaking incident that happened two months before Christmas 12 years ago.
"That was in 1998 when I broke up with Miguel," she recalled, referring to Miguel Vera who, Ai-Ai belatedly discovered, was already married to another woman. "'Yon ang first Christmas ko na wala akong asawa. Naghiwalay kami in October. On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, I prayed, 'Lord, sana hindi na maulit itong malungkot na Paskong 'to. Pinakinggan naman ako ni Lord. Hindi na naulit."
How did she prevent the same blue Christmas from happening again?
"Siempre, hindi na ako padalus-dalos. Kumbaga, 'yung mga ganoong bagay, dapat pag-aaralan mo ng mabuti bago mo pasukin para hindi ka na madadapa uli. I'm not perfect, ha, sometimes I still fall, nadadapa pa rin ako pero hindi ganoon kagasgas."
Ai-Ai is now okay with Miguel who has migrated to the States with his first (read: real) wife and children.
"Friends kami, super friends."
How many times has she fallen in love and fallen flat on her face since then?
Laughed Ai-Ai, "A lot! I never learn. Hahahahaha! Palaging nabubulilyaso, pabigla-bigla kasi ako, eh."
She admitted that like Kris Aquino, her BFF (Best Friend Forever), she easily outgrows men or the relationship doesn't work.
"Waste of time," conceded Ai-Ai, "so I'd rather stay single and focus my attention on other things, such as taking care of my children.'
She has three: Sancho, 20 (on Jan. 31 next year); Nicolo, 17; and Sofia, 15 (in April next year).
So how is she similar to or different from her role in the successful Star Cinema franchise Tanging Ina which is one of the company's three entries in the 2010 Metro Filmfest (together with the Kris Aquino starrer Dalaw and RPG: Metanoia, touted as the first Filipino animation in 3D)?
"In the movie (now on its final installment, Ang Tanging Ina N'yo [Last Na 'To], again directed by Wenn Deramas) si Ina, my character, ay sobrang mabait, sobrang understanding. Mabait din naman ako kaya lang masyado rin akong mahigpit sa mga anak ko minsan, especially when it comes to their studies."
Does she meddle in the personal affairs of (especially) her eldest son Sancho (whose father is a semi-retired stage actor)?
"Not so much. Okay naman kami. Sancho and Nicolo know that they should not take those things lightly, dapat hindi sila mag-take ng risks like early marriage. Nakikinig naman si Sancho. Otherwise, siguro noong 17 s'ya may asawa na s'ya."
A carbon-copy of his father Sancho was only nine years old when Ai-Ai told him the truth (who his biological father was, because he grew up knowing that Miguel was him).
"Ninerbyos s'ya," said Ai-Ai. "When I was telling him, ihi s'ya nang ihi. Nasa Hyatt kami noon."
Ai-Ai doesn't communicate with the man but Sancho does, exchanging text messages or calling each other up regularly.
That sad 1998 Christmas notwithstanding, Ai-Ai said that she has been spending Christmas the traditional way.
"In the morning of Dec. 25, I am with the Missionaries of Charity (in Tayuman, Tondo, Manila) for their gift-giving project for the poorest of the poor. I host the program. I've been doing it for 15 years na. It was my friend-couturier who introduced me to the sisters (affiliated with Mother Teresa). Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Minsan, nalulungkot ako sa buhay ko.' He said, 'Go to the missionary sisters and share your blessings you will never be lonely again.' I am blessed so I'm just giving back para mapaligaya ko naman si Lord."
In passing, I told Ai-Ai that some people mistake her for Liz Uy's twin sister.
"Actually, may resemblance," she agreed, "mas maputi lang ako. Liz also looks like Ruffa. Di ba may picture akong hindi ako nakangiti at medyo kamukha ko si Ruffa?"
So they could pass for triplets?
"Puwede," she said. "Kaya lang ako 'yung hindi pinaka-maganda sa aming tatlo."
Hindi naman, I protested.
"O, sige," she said laughing, "ako na ang pinaka-maganda sa aming tatlo."
Is this Christmas blue, white or simply merry?
"Merry siempre."
Even if she doesn't have a boyfriend?
"Okay lang walang boyfriend basta manalo akong Best Actress at mag-No. 1 ang Tanging Ina sa box office. Tama na 'yon sa akin."
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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