AI AI DE LAS ALAS has lost 20 lbs. and she looks much slimmer when she renewed her contract with Bobby Co of Hobe Bihon & Quick Cook Noodles. “This is because I don’t eat meat anymore,” she says. “May nakita kasing polyps sa colon ko. Benign naman but I have to be careful kasi my dad died of colon cancer. Lahat ng kinakain kong fruits and veggies, organic na. No chemicals or fertilizer used in them.”
We ask Mr. Co what Hobe means and why they got Ai Ai again as their endorser. “It means good taste in Fookien. We renewed Ai because she’s very effective and a big help in increasing the sales of our company.”
Ai has just finished the shoot of two new movies: “Our Mighty Yaya” for Regal with Zoren Legaspi and Megan Young directed by Joey Reyes, and “Area” for BG Productions with Allen Dizon, directed by Louie Ignacio. Both movies are joining the December Metro Manila Filmfest. What if they both qualify? That means she will have two entries.
“Maganda yan, kasi magkaibang-magkaiba naman sila. More of comedy na pampamilya ang ‘Mighty Yaya’ na yaya ako ng mga anak ni Zoren, at serious drama naman for adults ang ‘Area’, tungkol sa isang lugar sa Pampanga kunsaan available ang services ng cheap prostitutes. Completely deglamorized ako diyan as an aging prostitute at baka hindi nyo ako makilala, but very proud ako sa trabaho ko diyan. I want to thank Hobe nga pala kasi during the shoot ng ‘Area’, talagang nagpapadala sila lagi ng pancit para pakainin ang mga tao roon sa Pampanga.”
Is she happier now with GMA-7? “Oo naman. Thankful ako sa kanila at kay Lord sa dami ng blessings na dumarating sa akin. Right now, I have two regular shows, both seen on Sunday. ‘Hay Bahay’ sa gabi and at noontime, ‘Sunday Pinasaya’ na maga-anniversary na. Sa September 17 naman, may concert kami ni Lani Misalucha sa Kia Theatre. Abangan nyo.”How did she feel when stories that her ward, Jiro Manio, died and this circulated on the net? “Grabe nga, buhay pa yung tao, pinatay na. Huwag naman ganun. He’s now in a rehab facility na medyo may kalayuan. Mas mabuting doon na siya kasi mas safe siya roon. Ayaw na niyang mag-artista. Kung dito siya sa labas, baka mapabarkada na naman at bumalik sa dati niyang bisyo. So, he’s better off there. Hindi na siya addict, but the doctors say his long years of being one affected his mental faculty. He needs our prayers para bumuti na nang husto ang lagay niya.”
