Ai-Ai is a mighty yaya in real life

Curtain-raisers:

• Did you know that a show was marked for axing after airing only three episodes due to poor rating? But, according to the Funfare DPA, the actress host begged management to extend the show even for only one season and management relented — “With a heavy heart,” said the DPA. “Actually, you see nothing new on the show; the games and gimmicks are passé.”

• Could it be true that a singer and a very rich and very influential businessman (with a foreign-sounding name) are back together again? Friends are happy for the singer, especially since her ex-singer-husband has found a new love not once but twice.

• Even if Paolo Ballesteros has just outed himself on Instagram by showing not his and his boyfriend’s faces but only their intertwined hands highlighted by engagement rings, he told Funfare that they are not about to get married yet, contrary to reports. “We’re celebrating only our second monthsary,” said Paolo. Too early for an altar date.

* * *

In Our Mighty Yaya, Regal Films’ Mother’s Day offering set to open on May 10, Ai-Ai delas Alas deeply identifies with her role as the nanny of Megan Young’s character’s two step-children. She has to be “uglified” for the role.

“In real life,” said Ai-Ai, “I’m really a mighty yaya. Malambot ang puso ko hindi lang sa mga bata at matatanda kundi pati na rin sa mga hayop.”

At home, Ai-Ai takes care of a few dogs and an adopted small child.

“My children are grown up,” added Ai-Ai, referring to Sancho, Sofia and Nicolo, “and they can take care of themselves, kaya yung pet dogs ko ang kailangan alagaan. One of the dogs is an orphan. Umiyak ako nang mamatay ang nanay niya.”

It’s common knowledge that Ai-Ai occasionally helps senior residents of the Missionaries of Charity (on Tayuman Street, Tondo, Manila) take a bath. She has also served not just as mighty yaya but as a mighty nanay to Jiro Manio who is recovering from drug addiction. Ai-Ai has done all she could and she has entrusted Jiro to his own family.

Add upcoming singer Jelai Espino to Ai-Ai’s growing list of alagas. Jelai has released her first single, Huwag Mong Biruin, composed by Vehnee Saturno. Jelai, 14, a high school student at San Beda, has been attending acting workshops at ABS-CBN. She’s the endorser of Natura Organics, Dear Teen Collections and Color Cosmetics.

At the renewal of her contract as endorser of Natural Blend Coffee (which Jelai is also endorsing; manufacturer and distributor is the Espino family), Ai-Ai advised Jelai to be strong and not mind bashers.

With her alaga upcoming singer Jelai Espino with whom Ai-Ai is endorsing Natural Blend Coffee

“Yaya na rin niya ako,” said Ai-Ai who is a good friend of Jelai’s parents. “Alaga ko siya.”

Directed by Joey Reyes, Our Mighty Yaya will have a premiere on May 7, which is also the extended deadline of Regal’s Our Mighty Yaya contest for nannies. Contestants are required to do a short but creative video about their best bonding moment with their wards or employers, then post it on the Facebook Messenger of Regal Entertainment, Inc. Don’t forget to put on the caption your (the yaya’s) full name and nickname, name of employer, number of years of service and contact number. The video should attract “likes” and “shares,” with hashtag #OurMightyYaya. Ten finalists will be chosen by Ai-Ai and Regal representatives, and they will have a meet-and-greet with the movie’s stars on premiere night. Prizes include P10,000 cash and P5,000 worth of groceries.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)