Ai-Ai: Your funny Valentine

MANILA, Philippines - She is the Comedy Queen no less. Along with that title is another title, Concert Comedy Queen. This is the facet Ai-Ai de las Alas showcases in #HugotPlaylist, with Ogie Alcasid and Erik Santos on Feb. 14, 8 p.m. at the Kia Theater. Solenn Heussaff appears as guest.

Since she didn’t have a Valentine show last year, Ai-Ai is poised to pull out all stops in putting everyone in stitches. 

“I always give it with all my heart,” said Ai-Ai of her mantra for every show during a media call. “It’s always new. I don’t repeat or recycle (acts) for big shows.” But she quickly admitted that “nag-uulit ako ng number kapag raket, raket lang.” This seems to be a norm in the comedy bar circuit where some A-list talents like Ai-Ai have been discovered. 

“I don’t only get excited about Valentine’s Day, I also get excited about the thought of me having a big show,” added Ai-Ai. “I’m excited that I will be learning new songs, I will be wearing new outfits.” Thus, new repertoire and repartees are for everyone’s taking. “If I do the same stuff, I won’t be thrilled,” she said. “This goes the same for the audience.”

After all, her performance serves as the audience’s last impression of her to help them decide whether to watch her next show or not. Ai-Ai has to offer something new to whet their appetite for good entertainment. According to the comedienne, #HugotPlaylist revolves around a solid narrative and she has a surprise — “paandar” in the vernacular — and something for the millennials.

Having a stable relationship with Gerald Sibayan, many are curious if Ai-Ai can convincingly deliver the hugot lines that come with the hugot songs and put across the pain and the bitterness in the paeans.

“Bilang artista naman ako, huhugutin ko ang lahat, ang kaya kong hugutin,” she said. To do this, she will simply go back to that past which once promised her a forever in love.

“Ito yung last, yung pinaka-last dati,” Ai-Ai recalled. “But it will be a quick, momentary hugot, I won’t dwell on it. Ang lakas maka-nega ng ganun; I have already moved on. Hindi na dapat nega, we should always be positive.” In the show, she shared, hits will be sung and she and Solenn will be pitted against each other in a sexy showdown. “I will give her a good fight even if I’m already a Papal awardee,” she said laughingly.

“Yung dating ginagawa ko, hindi na siyempre. I can still do jokes for as long as they are not offensive,” said Ai-Ai. “I wouldn’t be touchy… Given my age, I shouldn’t be doing those stuff, chill-chill lang. Sexy jokes pwede pa rin basta hindi bastos, pa-cute, cute lang.”

Singing-wise, Ai-Ai is also in her fighting form. She will awe everyone with her costume changes, perhaps wearing fabulous ones similar to the national costumes of some 2016 Miss Universe delegates.
Since she’ll be working on Feb. 14 for #HugotPlaylist, Ai-Ai might have to spend Valentine’s with Gerald after the show or the day after.

“We won’t go on a date that day because of the traffic and everyone is out and you won’t feel comfortable,” said Ai-Ai, who is a picture of happiness and contentment.

“I believe in the saying na may katapat ka na para sa’yo, someone who will love you whatever happens,” she shared. “Siyempre hindi naman biro yung pinagdaanan namin ni Gerald nung araw. Everybody knows it. Despite everything, he remains beside me and is still around. Kapag mahal ka ng isang tao, kahit anong mangyari, nandyan siya para sa’yo. It’s what I have learned (about love).” 

Aside from love, what makes Ai-Ai and Gerald gel as a couple is their being homebodies.

“I read in Yes Magazine that Vic (Sotto) and Pauline (Luna) are homebodies, hindi sila palalabas. Ganun din kasi kami. Gerald doesn’t go (out with friends) or party (at night). If I were given someone outgoing, the relationship wouldn’t work. Since he is part of the national (badminton) team, he is highly disciplined. Kasi ngayon tahimik na lang ako, nagkukulaykulay lang ako, hindi na rin ako pa-party, That’s what he likes about a woman. Yung hindi din palalabas, we really jibe. He is conservative.” Their relationship gets better each day, as Ai-Ai put it. Many hope it’s going to be one for the books.

#HugotPlaylist is presented by PLDT Home and produced by ATEAM (ALCASID Total Entertainment & Management, Inc.). Tickets are available through DSL Productions (0918-5633781) and Ticketnet.ph (911-5555).