Ai Ai delas Alas becomes daughter to Shayne Sava in tear-jerking ‘Raising Mamay’

Prepare to wipe your tears as Ai Ai delas Alas and Shayne Sava switch roles in the upcoming GMA-7 series “Raising Mamay.”

The new drama circles on the lives of Letty (Ai Ai), who suffers from brain regression, and her daughter Abigail (Shayne), who has no choice but to let go of her youth and serve as her mother’s caretaker.

In an online interview with the press, Shayne said playing Abigail was challenging, but it was also an eye-opener for her as a daughter to her own mom.

“It’s all about sacrifices ng anak para sa nanay. Basically, ina na naging anak, anak na naging ina,” she told GMA News Online.

“Dito ko po na-realize na grabe ginagawa ng mga nanay para sa’tin,” said Shayne.

“Grabe ’yung mga sacrifices nila, ’yung pagod nila para sa mga anak nila. Habang pino-portray ko po si Abigail, sobra kong na-appreciate lahat lahat ng ginagawa ng nanay ko para sa’kin.”

[It’s all about a child’s sacrifice for her mom. Basically, the mom becomes the child and the child becomes the mom. Here I realized that our mothers go through so much for us. They sacrifice and endure a lot for their children. While portraying Abigail, I came to appreciate better everything that my mom is doing for me.]

Like Abigail, Ai Ai said she also had a hard time giving life to Letty, who would be exhibiting child-like behavior due to her condition after an accident. The actress said she went through an immersion to help her internalize her character.

“Kailangan mong aralin kung ano ’yung mga characters ng bata,” Ai Ai said.

“(Kailangan) maaral ko kung paano sila gumalaw, magsalita, and kumilos. ’Yung mga scenes namin ni [Abigail], mabibigat din,” she added.

“Mahirap din pala maging bata. Akala ko madali lang kasi kailangan mo ’yung inosente ka.”

[I had to learn the characteristics of a child. I needed to study how they move and talk. My scenes with Abigail are heavy. It’s hard to play a child. I thought it was easy, but it’s not because you have to be innocent.]

Shayne said she hoped viewers would learn lessons from Abigail.

“Be like Abigail na gagawin lahat para sa [kanyang] mga magulang. Maging mapagmahal at matuto po tayong mag-appreciate ng lahat ng ginagawa ng mga magulang natin para sa atin,” she said.

“’Wag po tayo manghusga agad sa kaanyuan ng isang tao. Hindi porket naiiba sila sa atin, pwede na po natin silang tapak-tapakan,” she added. “Mas alagaan po natin sila, bigyan po natin sila ng attention.”

[Be like Abigail who will do everything for her parents. Let’s love and learn to appreciate everything that our parents are doing for us. Don’t judge others based on their physical appearance. Just because they’re different doesn’t mean we should step on them. Instead, let’s take care of them and give them attention.]

Premiering on April 25, “Raising Mamay” also stars Joyce Ching, Ina Feleo, Tart Carlos, Bryce Eusebio, Valerie Concepcion, and Abdul Raman. It is directed by Don Michael Perez. – RC, GMA News