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| ai ai de las alas at presscon with her writer friends |
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| ai ai and this writer |
AI AI DE LAS ALAS just renewed her contract with GMA Network. “This is my third contract with them since I became a Kapuso again in 2015,” she says. “Every two years ang contract ko before, but this time, 3 years na and I’m just very happy to still be a Kapuso. Before ABS-CBN naman, 9 years na rin ako as a Kapuso, so bale bumalik lang ako rito. Right now, I have two shows, ‘Sunday Pinasaya’, na four years na, and now, I’m a judge in ‘The Clash Season 2’ na very happy ako to be a part of. By next year daw, they’ll give me a new soap.”
How come there’s a rumor that ‘Sunday Pinasaya’ will soon end? “I don’t know kunsaan galing yang tsismis na yan, but we just talked to the executives involved and they said, ‘Tuloy pa rin ang saya’. Hanggang December pa ang contract with GMA, e.”
What can she say to those who bash her as a judge in “The Clash”? “Wala, mas magtataka ako kung walang mamba-bash sa’kin kasi part na yan ng social media. Kaligayahan na ng bashers na mam-bash so pagbigyan na lang natin sila. But sa ngayon, mas marami na raw namba-bash kay Christian Bautista as judge kaysa sa akin. Basta happy ako maging judge and be a part ng journey ng Clashers.”
She has a new colorful outfit for the show in each episode. Does GMA give her a budget for that? “Wala, sarili kong gastos lahat yan. Okay lang, kasi enjoy nga ako. May sarili na akong bets among the Clashers pero siempre, I have to keep it to myself kasi baka ma-bash na naman ako.”
She’s also happy to have an entry in the coming Metro-Manila Filmfest with Coco Martin and Jennylyn Mercado, “Tripol Trouble, Huli Ka Balbon!”, which Coco himself directs. “Pareho silang first time ko nakatrabaho at pareho silang mabait kasama. Kaya lang, si Coco, as our director, napaka-hyper. 5 AM ang calltime namin at hindi yata napapagod.
"Grabe ang energy niya. Dahil sa kanya, napilitan akong mag-gym to be able to cope with his overflowing energy. Si Jennylyn naman, so sweet. Kahit pagod na at puyat, hindi rin nagrereklamo. Masaya yung movie namin. Action-comedy at tiyak na magugustuhan ng viewers during the holiday season.”
What’s her role? “It’s something na hindi ko pa nagagawa sa buong career ko. Nanay ako. Nanay ni Coco,” she laughs.
So she plays a supporting role? “Hindi naman. One of the bidas. Alangan namang ako ang leading lady niya, di ba? Siempre, si Jennylyn. Pero may back story at may sarili rin akong leading man, si Joey Marquez.”
How about her plan to have a new baby? “Yes, tuloy yun. My doctor says ready naman ang body ko, so by August of 2020, we will try na yung in vitro fertilization.”
How does her husband, Gerald Sibayan, feel about it? “Siempre excited siya. Just like me. Pumayat na siya, e. Sabi ko, tse! Kasi noong kinasal kami, akala ng tao, anak ko siya. Tapos nung tumaba siya, akala na lang, kapatid ko siya. E, ngayon pumayat na uli, so akala uli ng tao, anak ko siya, kaya… tse!”