Why Ai-Ai’s Valentine concert was cancelled

Barely 24 hours to the playdate of her Ai ? Papa scheduled for last night at The Theatre of Solaire Resort & Casino, Ai-Ai delas Alas got the bad news that it was cancelled due to producer’s failure to produce down payment for the venue.

“I learned that the cancellation was made at around 6:30 last Wednesday night (Feb. 11) and we were still rehearsing with the band at that time,” a fuming Ai-Ai said at an emergency presscon yesterday. “But I was informed about the cancellation only at around 8:30 that same night. I was shocked!”

According to reports, the producer, a certain Jacob Fernandez, was given a deadline by Solaire management until 6:30 Wednesday night to settle his obligation. His offer to pay with a post-dated check was rejected. You know the rule: Credit is good but we need cash. Cancellation fee is said to be P400,000.

Because she is the star of the show, Ai-Ai felt duty-bound to do the explaining. She also agreed to be a co-producer at the last minute when she earlier learned that Fernandez was having financial problems just so the show could go on since tickets had been selling fast.

“I wanted to back out (as star of the show) but I thought that I owed it to him to stay,” added Ai-Ai. “Because in 1989, I was abandoned by the producer of my show and it was Jacob who saved me. Some friends were advising me against working with Jacob but then, I decided to pay back. Hindi ko akalain na ang kabaitan at pagma-magandang loob ko ay susuklian niya ng ganito.”

Ai-Ai has no bad record at Solaire. Last year, she co-starred with Rico J. Puno in a hit concert at Solaire.

“Maganda ang relationship ko with Solaire,” said Ai-Ai who hastily informed his star guests Aljur Abrenica and JC de Vera about the cancellation as soon as she was informed about it. Another guest, Richard Yap, was pulled out of the show by his manager also because the producer failed to pay the down payment. Maybe to cover up for Fernandez, the reason given was “due to technical problems.”

Ai-Ai admitted that she had already shelled out her own money to pay for the band and for other expenses incurred during the rehearsals. It was also through her connections that sponsors agreed to support the project.

“I’ve learned a bitter lesson,” said Ai-Ai. “Gusto ko siya (Fernandez) intindihin kung bakit niya ako ginanito, pero hindi ko maintindihan. It’s so frustrating na naging mabait ka at gagawan ka ng ganyan. Huwag niyang gamitin ang name ko kahit kanino at kahit na sa anong paraan.”

On May 16, as a Mother’s Day presentation, Ai-Ai will have an entirely new show but that after she returns from the US and on another trip to Canada for a show. She assures that tickets to the cancelled show will be honored on the new yet untitled show.