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Public Affairs
Five things you didn’t know about Aiai Delas Alas
Mapanonood ang Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho tuwing Linggo ng gabi sa GMA-7. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa programa, sundan kami sa Facebook, Twitter at Instagram. Para naman sa impormasyon tungkol sa mga paborito n’yong Public Affairs program, sundan ang GMA Public Affairs.
You’ve seen her go through the stages to stardom: she was an extra, a comic sidekick, a favorite pawn for the monsters to eat in horror flicks. Then she became Ina Montecillo, “ang tanging ina nating lahat (our one and only mother),” a superhero, Marian Rivera’s twin sister, and many more memorable characters that ultimately made her one of the funniest actresses in Philippine show business today.
Following her big breaks both in film and television, Aiai Delas Alas has since become a household name – making everyone, from kids to adults, laugh with every character she portrays.
But who was Aiai before becoming the face of comedy? She recalls her younger years with Ms. Jessica Soho and tells us that she had nothing before, the reason why in “God’s perfect time” she gained everything she never dreamed of having.
1. Her father gave her up to be adopted by his sister
Aiai or Aileen did not grow up with her biological parents. Her mother left her father and because of poverty, he realized he cannot raise his daughter alone. He brought Aiai to his sister in Calatagan, Batangas. The papers were arranged, his sister was adopting the child.
Growing up, it was never hidden from Aiai that she was adopted by her aunt – although the latter’s constant absence did make her feel lonely most of the time. “Engineer siya eh, so naa-assign siya sa ibang probinsiya,” Aiai said. "Wala akong kasama, yaya ko lang. So nandoon iyong hugot ko na I'm always alone.”
Later in life, this incident of her father giving her up affected Aiai even when her boyfriends break up with her. “Kaya minsan pag kunwari umuulan, umiiyak na ako. ‘Pag nagkaka-boyfriend ako [tapos] iniiwan ako, umiiyak ako parati,” she said.
2. Despite being a funny woman, Aiai claims she is really shy 
Following her big breaks both in film and television, Aiai Delas Alas has since become a household name – making everyone, from kids to adults, laugh with every character she portrays.
But who was Aiai before becoming the face of comedy? She recalls her younger years with Ms. Jessica Soho and tells us that she had nothing before, the reason why in “God’s perfect time” she gained everything she never dreamed of having.
1. Her father gave her up to be adopted by his sister
Aiai or Aileen did not grow up with her biological parents. Her mother left her father and because of poverty, he realized he cannot raise his daughter alone. He brought Aiai to his sister in Calatagan, Batangas. The papers were arranged, his sister was adopting the child.
Growing up, it was never hidden from Aiai that she was adopted by her aunt – although the latter’s constant absence did make her feel lonely most of the time. “Engineer siya eh, so naa-assign siya sa ibang probinsiya,” Aiai said. "Wala akong kasama, yaya ko lang. So nandoon iyong hugot ko na I'm always alone.”
Later in life, this incident of her father giving her up affected Aiai even when her boyfriends break up with her. “Kaya minsan pag kunwari umuulan, umiiyak na ako. ‘Pag nagkaka-boyfriend ako [tapos] iniiwan ako, umiiyak ako parati,” she said.
2. Despite being a funny woman, Aiai claims she is really shy
“Parang ang hirap paniwalaan na si Aiai Delas Alas ay mahiyain!” Ms. Soho exclaimed when the comedienne admitted this lesser known fact about her.
“Madaldal ako kapag mga gusto ko iyong kasama ko,” Aiai explained. "Then, [kung] bagong kakilala kita, tahimik lang ako kasi nahihiya ako.”
She even recalled one time in her previous station when she saw a top network executive walking. "Nagtago ako sa banyo kasi natataranta ako! Parang ay! Ayan na ‘yung boss!”
It seems so difficult to believe but, according to Aiai, even Bossing Vic Sotto has the same attitude. On cam, we see funny people who seem to have no inhibitions but when behind it, they are just regular people who, on occasion, are just as inhibited and shy.
“Madaldal ako kapag mga gusto ko iyong kasama ko,” Aiai explained. "Then, [kung] bagong kakilala kita, tahimik lang ako kasi nahihiya ako.”
She even recalled one time in her previous station when she saw a top network executive walking. "Nagtago ako sa banyo kasi natataranta ako! Parang ay! Ayan na ‘yung boss!”
It seems so difficult to believe but, according to Aiai, even Bossing Vic Sotto has the same attitude. On cam, we see funny people who seem to have no inhibitions but when behind it, they are just regular people who, on occasion, are just as inhibited and shy.
3. Aiai has no problems memorizing scripts, but songs? That takes a lot of work!
Second to being known as a comedienne, Aiai is also known for her singing voice. At one point in her career, she was even dubbed as the Comedy Concert Queen.
But little did we know that before Aiai steps onstage to give a rocking performance, it takes her countless hours of painstakingly memorizing the lyrics of her songs!
“In fairness sa akin, Ms. Jessica, pag may concert ako, mga two months ako mag-aral ng lyrics kasi hindi ko ma-memorize,” she said with a laugh. "Pero ‘pag mga script, kaya kong [i-memorize agad]!" 
To add fun to the interview, Ms. Soho and Aiai grabbed microphones and attempted to sing Aiai’s first single – karaoke style – but Aiai struggled with the words just the same!
“O ‘di ba, sariling kanta ko nga hindi ko ma-memorize?” she quipped. Everyone laughed.
4. On being called a cougar: “Branding lang naman iyon.” 
Second to being known as a comedienne, Aiai is also known for her singing voice. At one point in her career, she was even dubbed as the Comedy Concert Queen.
But little did we know that before Aiai steps onstage to give a rocking performance, it takes her countless hours of painstakingly memorizing the lyrics of her songs!
“In fairness sa akin, Ms. Jessica, pag may concert ako, mga two months ako mag-aral ng lyrics kasi hindi ko ma-memorize,” she said with a laugh. "Pero ‘pag mga script, kaya kong [i-memorize agad]!"
“O ‘di ba, sariling kanta ko nga hindi ko ma-memorize?” she quipped. Everyone laughed.
4. On being called a cougar: “Branding lang naman iyon.”
Aiai’s lovelife, like many other celebrities’, has been highly publicized. Over the past few years, she became involved with men who are much younger than she is.
When news of her divorce from Jed Salang broke, people were too quick to give their two cents on the matter on social media. This overwhelmed Aiai.
“Nahirapan ako noong una. And hindi ko alam kung paano ko pi-pickup-in ang sarili ko dahil ang sakit-sakit na nga ng nangyari sa akin tapos ang dami-dami pang umo-opinyon. Siyempre wala namang babaeng may gustong hindi mag-work ang marriage [niya],” she said.
“Nawindang ako. Siyempre nahilo ako.” Aiai said of all the negative feedback she received on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Now that she is once again involved with a younger man, Aiai said she is more cautious when disclosing anything about her romantic relationships – and she seemed to have developed a stronger sense of acceptance with who she is and what she wants.
“Anong masasabi mo doon sa branding na 'cougar' ka raw?” Ms. Soho asked Aiai.
“Ako, branding lang naman iyon eh. I'd rather na meron akong boyfriend na bata, na binata, na wala [akong nasasaktan na kapwa kong babae], kaysa naman doon sa mga may asawa na papatulan ko na maraming komplikasyon," she said.
5. Aiai is a certified Vilmanian
Of all the actresses who came before her, Aiai idolizes Vilma Santos the most. She knows her movies, her lines, and her costumes! Even in the popular app Dubsmash, Aiai makes it a point that every Ate Vi entry is worthy of the Star for All Season’s name.
When news of her divorce from Jed Salang broke, people were too quick to give their two cents on the matter on social media. This overwhelmed Aiai.
“Nahirapan ako noong una. And hindi ko alam kung paano ko pi-pickup-in ang sarili ko dahil ang sakit-sakit na nga ng nangyari sa akin tapos ang dami-dami pang umo-opinyon. Siyempre wala namang babaeng may gustong hindi mag-work ang marriage [niya],” she said.
“Nawindang ako. Siyempre nahilo ako.” Aiai said of all the negative feedback she received on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Now that she is once again involved with a younger man, Aiai said she is more cautious when disclosing anything about her romantic relationships – and she seemed to have developed a stronger sense of acceptance with who she is and what she wants.
“Anong masasabi mo doon sa branding na 'cougar' ka raw?” Ms. Soho asked Aiai.
“Ako, branding lang naman iyon eh. I'd rather na meron akong boyfriend na bata, na binata, na wala [akong nasasaktan na kapwa kong babae], kaysa naman doon sa mga may asawa na papatulan ko na maraming komplikasyon," she said.
5. Aiai is a certified Vilmanian
Of all the actresses who came before her, Aiai idolizes Vilma Santos the most. She knows her movies, her lines, and her costumes! Even in the popular app Dubsmash, Aiai makes it a point that every Ate Vi entry is worthy of the Star for All Season’s name.
When asked about what roles she would want to portray in the future, Aiai knows they have to be somewhere along the lines of Ate Vi’s characters.
“Gusto ko ‘yung mga tipong Sister Stella L. [Tsaka] iyong Tagos ng Dugo… tuwing dinadatnan, pumapatay ng tao ‘yung lola mo ganoon, loloka-lokahan," she said.
But future roles notwithstanding, Aiai admits that everything she has so far is really more than she could ever dream of. Having experienced the lowest of lows before, she knows that all the glitz and glamor are from nobody else but the Lord.
That is why one takeaway she got from her life was “always trust in God, lalo na ‘pag ‘yung feeling mo babagsak ka na, wala na lahat sa'yo, rock bottom. Darating ang panahon, always trust God na ibabalik Niya iyon sa'yo in time… in His perfect time.”
What can you say about Aiai’s Kapuso homecoming? Are you excited for her upcoming projects? Tell us in the comments!---BMS
“Gusto ko ‘yung mga tipong Sister Stella L. [Tsaka] iyong Tagos ng Dugo… tuwing dinadatnan, pumapatay ng tao ‘yung lola mo ganoon, loloka-lokahan," she said.
But future roles notwithstanding, Aiai admits that everything she has so far is really more than she could ever dream of. Having experienced the lowest of lows before, she knows that all the glitz and glamor are from nobody else but the Lord.
That is why one takeaway she got from her life was “always trust in God, lalo na ‘pag ‘yung feeling mo babagsak ka na, wala na lahat sa'yo, rock bottom. Darating ang panahon, always trust God na ibabalik Niya iyon sa'yo in time… in His perfect time.”
What can you say about Aiai’s Kapuso homecoming? Are you excited for her upcoming projects? Tell us in the comments!---BMS
