Ai Ai pines for long distance love

Comedy concert queen Ai Ai de las Alas misses her foreigner boyfriend Art Carter so much. The guy went back to the United States after a brief visit in Manila where she met Ai Ai's family. Now Ai Ai is feeling the pain of a long distance love affair, something she didn't imagine she would succumb into.

"I thought I wouldn't miss him (Art) since I've accepted the fact that we had to be apart in distance. Akala ko dedma lang siya sa akin kasi malayo naman siya pero I must admit I really miss him," said Ai Ai whom we got to talk too at Klownz Comedy Bar in Araneta Center, Quezon City which she co-owns with good friend Allan K.

"I know I should not feel this way. I've always known that he has to be based in the States and my work is here in Manila so I've prepared myself with the idea that a long distance love affair might not work. But I fell in love with him and this is why I really miss him," said the comedienne who keeps herself busy taping for her new sitcom "My Juan en Only" which airs Saturday night on ABS-CBN.

So whenever Art calls her on the phone, Ai Ai sounds as if she's mad at him. "Inaaway ko siya kunwari, kasi miss ko talaga siya. Kahit na gusto kong maglambing sa kanya, like gusto ko magpamasahe ng likod dahil masakit, di ko naman magawa kasi malayo siya," the comedienne shared with a sigh. "And even if he wants to comfort me, that's not possible because he's not here. He's very far away from me."

Ai Ai feels Art is the guy that she had been waiting for. "I thought I was just excited with him and to be with him because he's my first foreigner boyfriend. But this has been a different feeling and experience. This must really be love," she said.

To keep herself from thinking about her foreigner always, Ai Ai keeps herself busy with work. She's taping regularly for her new sitcom "My Juan en Only" which co-stars her with Randy Santiago and Vhong Navarro. Does she feel the pressure that their sitcom has to rate high because all ABS-CBN TV shows are being clobbered in the ratings games by GMA 7 programs?

"We're not really sure if all the shows on Dos are really facing difficulty in terms of ratings. Pero sa Manila lang naman talo ang ABS-CBN, pero sa rest of the country, okay pa rin naman ang ABS-CBN," Ai Ai added. "But we are working hard. Ganyan lang naman talaga ang buhay. Minsan nasa itaas ka, minsan nasa ibaba ka."

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This seems the era of digital films. Sandalang Bahay by Mark Gary and Denisa Reyes and Sa North Diversion Road by Dennis Marasigan, two completed digital entries of Cinema One Originals, were graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) last week. Based on CEB tabulation Board, Sandalang Bahay got 11 members voting B while Sa North Diversion Road got three members grading the movie A and 13 members grading it as B. The Cinema One Originals Digital Filmfest will be held and screened at SM Megamall Cinema on July 29, 30 and 31, and not on July 8 to10 as previously announced since two films (Dilim and Ang Anak ni Brocka) need more time for their post-production work.

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What is Kris Martinez doing in the reality show "Close Up To Fame" when he's considered not a newcomer as he has had appeared in various TV shows already. "I know some eyebrows were raised when I decided to join this contest but I feel I stand to gain more experience and exposure when I joined this show," said Kris.

"Being a part of this show is like undergoing a workshop on air. I enjoy interacting with the other contestants. I feel I will be able to improve my personality some more. I am learning a lot with the workshops they are giving us. Even if people know me already, I feel it is to my advantage that I joined this show because this is exposure for me, plus a chance to improve myself some more," Kris explained.

He's not expecting to win but he's doing his best to take advantage and learn from this exposure. "I will do everything in my capacity to excel in all the exercises and workshops that they would give us. This is a chance to better myself. I'd probably get to become more famous after joining this contest kahit na kilala na rin naman ako kahit paano but I still believe I stand to gain more by being part of this show," said Kris.

Do you think Ai Ai de las Alas would vote for you? He was romantically linked to Ai Ai a few months back. "Pakiramdam ko hindi kasi kailangan pa niyang bumili ng Close Up toothpaste para iboto ako," said Kris with a smile.

If you wish to vote for Kris, text Closeup (space) Kriss (space) sticker code (2) and send to 2256. You can find the sticker code in the Close Up box.