They are both mainstays in the cast of GMA-7’s new primetime romcom, “Owe My Love”, where both of them also play very important roles.
But more than that, they are both Papal Awardees, meaning, they both received honors from the Holy See awarded in the name of the Pope as a recognition of merit for their services to the Catholic Church.
“Yung award ko, five years ago, di ko ine-expect,” says Ai Ai. “I was shocked kasi it’s the highest award given by the Pope to lay people. Ang nag-recommend sa akin, si Bishop Antonio Tobias of the Novaliches Diocese.”
Ai Ai is a Marian devotee who has been helping the church, the poor and various charities, but she’s quiet about it. She even held a concert for the construction of the Kristong Hari church.
No wonder blessings continue to pour for her. Right after “The Clash”, she now has a new show in “Owe My Love” where she plays the role of Lovi Poe’s wacky boss.
“Ang name ko rito, Vida Morales, and I own the Vida Rolling Store where Lovi works,” she says. “Yung character ko, tuwing lalabas on screen, naka-outfit nang bonggang-bongga, kaya iba-iba ang costumes na sinusuot ko rito.
"Kontrabida sa amin ni Lovi si Jackielou Blanco na karibal ko rin sa pag-ibig. Si Lovi, Guipit ang apelyido kaya laging nagigipit, so pinapautang ko siya.”
When the show’s zoomcon was held last Thursday, they were all still on lock in taping in a resort in Bulacan.
How is it doing lock in taping with the cast which some stars have turned down?
“Naku, for me, huwag na tayong mag-inarte kasi maraming tao ang walang trabaho ngayon. We should just be thankful na may trabaho pa rin tayo, kahit lock in, which is for our own safety rin naman.
"At ako, nage-enjoy ako kasi masaya kaming lahat sa set, e. Nakakatuwa, kasi after a while, makikilala mo talaga ang ugali ng bawat isa sa set. And in fairness, walang pasaway sa grupo namin.”
They’ll be on lock in taping until March, which means they’ll all spend Valentine’s Day there. “Sa’kin, walang problema kasi kasama ko si Gerald (her husband) sa taping.
"Ang promise ko sa co-stars ko, magluluto ako at magbe-bake for them on February 14, na day off namin kasi it’s a Sunday. Kaming lahat ang magkakasama sa Valentine’s Day.”
People notice she’s so slim these days. What does she do?
“Unang-una, I avoid sugar. I just get it from fruits, pero konti lang. My meals are all organic, mostly fish, which Gerald prepares for me. No more meat kasi I have to be careful as my dad died of colon cancer. Ayokong mamatay nang maaga.”
“Owe My Love” is about financial literacy and borrowing money. If someone she loves would borrow from her, would she lend him money?
“Oo naman, kasi di ba, charity begins at home. Huwag lang yung kakautang mo lang ngayon, tapos uutang ka na naman bukas. Use me in a sentence na yun.”
