‘President’ Ai Ai’s riotous reign

"Iba naman kasi when you have somebody, even just a companion," she stated. "One you can share not just your passion, but everything. It’s having someone you can talk to when you are tired or exhausted.

"Or what more someone na minamasahe ka or whatever.

"Ako, may pagkabaduy ako," she continued. "Just a text message of endearment can make my day."

It is good she has been very busy these past months. She tapes thrice a week for "Betty la Fea," where she plays the mom of Bea Alonzo and Sam Concepcion. Ronaldo Valdez, whom she admits was her childhood crush, portrays her husband.

"Ang galing niyang artista," she said. "’Pag naka-focus sa kanya ang camera, parang gugustuhin mong panoorin na lang siya."

By the way, before starting work on her Metro Manila Film Festival entry, "Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat," Ai Ai left for Italy for a performance with Edu Manzano, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson for The Filipino Channel (TFC).

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"Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat," directed by Wenn Deramas, is the third "Ina" movie starring Ai Ai. The first two were "Tanging Ina" and "Ang Cute ng Ina Mo."

Both were produced by Star Cinema and declared as blockbusters.

"In terms of record sales," related Ai Ai, "Star Cinema reveals that the box office returns of ‘Tanging Ina’ was truly unprecedented.

"It is also my most memorable movie. Up to now, people refer to me as ‘ang tanging ina,’ na nakakapangilabot, kung iisipin mo."

"Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat" features the same young stars as the original: Carlo Aquino, Alwyn Ignacio, Shaina Magdayao, Serena Dalrymple, Jiro Manio and Yuki Kadaoka.

Also in the cast are Eugene Domingo, DJ Durano and Janella Elma. In a very significant role is Gloria Diaz as President Hillary.

"There are two in the original cast who are not with us in the movie,"" Direk Wenn said. "Ito’y sina Marvin Agustin and Heart Evangelista, who are now both with GMA 7. "Pero binigyan ko naman ng dahilan ang pagkawala nila sa cast. I made it appear that they both got married and now live with their spouses abroad."

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For "Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat," Ai Ai as Ina Montecillo embarks on a new direction. Since her children have all grown up and no longer need her attention, she decides to run as president of the Philippines.

"This is where the comedy comes in. Once nanalo si Ai Ai, riot galore na ang mapapanood sa movie.

"And I’ve never seen both Ai Ai and Eugene at their best. As a comedy team, they are hard to equal," declared Direk Wenn.

Direk Wenn further stated that he is dedicating this movie not only to all mothers but to all the children who love their mothers. "Isama na rin natin ang mga grandmothers who love their mothers," he added.

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Remember Jackie Forster?

The reason we’ve not been hearing about her lately is that she’s currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with her two-year-old son, Jared Alfred.

In an interview with Yes! Magazine, Jackie said she went there to try her luck. Unfortunately, she discovered she has not much to expect in Malaysia. Any moment now, she might come back with her son.

Jackie used to be married to basketball player-turned comedy star Benjie Paras with whom she has two sons, Kobe, 11 and Andre, 9. Both boys study at the Ateneo University.