At 50, Ai Ai delas Alas can’t ask for more

Comedy concert queen Ms. Ai Ai delas Alas is turning 50 today and the award-winning actress said there is nothing more that she can wish for. She has a successful career, has a wonderful family and in terms of her lovelife, she has a new boyfriend who, despite their age difference, is making her feel happy and contented.

At the presscon of her latest Star Cinema movie titled “Past Tense” held yesterday at DolphyTheater, the comedienne was moved to tears by the warm greetings extended to her by colleagues in ABS-CBN. Some of the biggest stars of the Kapamilya network – Lea Salonga, Enchong Dee, Shaina Magdayao, Luis Manzano and Boy Abunda –  wished her the best on her birthday.

“I am very happy now and there is really nothing that I could wish for,” said Ai Ai who revealed that she was recently hospitalized two weeks ago because of cerebral palsy. “But I thank God because He willed that I be cured of my ailment kaya masaya akong magse-celebrate ng birthday ko.”

Instead of a big concert which normally marks her birthday, Ai Ai is thankful that Star Cinema is releasing the movie “Past Tense” as a post-birthday treat to her fans. She is confident that her fans and those of Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, one of the hottest love teams in Star Cinema, will join forces to make the movie a big hit.

In the movie, she plays Bhe who goes into a coma for 20 years. When she wakes up in 2034, she is given a chance to correct past mistakes and make things right in her life. Bhe returns to 2014 as her younger self, Belle (Kim) only to discover the truth about her boyfriend (Daniel Matsunaga) and the real feelings of her best friend Babs (Xian Lim) about her. Belle attempts to tamper with history by altering her past without realizing that she could put her future life at risk of becoming worse.

“Past Tense” is the culminating movie for Star Cinema’s 20th year anniversary celebration. It is directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar (who directed the hit “Bride for Rent” which also featured Kim and Xian). The movie opens in cinemas nationwide on November 26.

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A recent Manila visitor is Dr. Tess Mauricio, dubbed as America’s Favorite Dermatologist who introduced to the country her latest technique in beauty called Time Machine Procedure in a seminar held in Shang Cinema Complex last week. Among her celebrity clients are Patricia Javier and Gabby Concepcion, both of whom graced the event.

Dr. Mauricio, despite having stayed in the United States for quite a long time (she studied in Stanford School of Medicine) is proud of her Filipino roots. “Whatever I have learned, I am willing to share to my fellow Filipinos. That is why whenever there is an opportunity for me to visit the Philippines, I grab it because it gives me the chance to impart my knowledge in beauty,” said the famed dermatologist.

She feels a deep connection to her Filipino roots and has given back to the local Filipino community in the US and in the Philippines. She is the executive producer and star of “The Dr. Tess Show” on GMA Pinoy TV and has regular segments on The Filipino Channel’s  Balitang Amerika (Dr. Tess) and Adobo Nation.

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We had the chance to interview director Joyce Bernal, one of the producers of “Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig” (starring Sofia Andres, Julian Estrada and introducing Iñigo Pascual, the son of Piolo Pascual) at the opening night of the Cinema One Originals film festival held Sunday at the Trinoma Cinema in Quezon City.

Direk Joyce said she had already seen the movie and is happy with the work done by Antoinette Jadaone (who also helmed the much-talked about comedy film “Beauty in a Bottle”). “I hope and pray that the movie makes money so that we can do another movie for our young cast whom we believe has a bright future ahead of them,” added the lady director who said she is preparing for a new film project to be done next year.

She said she will be biased in saying that “Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig” is a good movie because she is one of the producers but nevertheless added that she and the rest of the Spring Films executives feel they have the perfect project for Iñigo, Sofia and Julian.

“Natutuwa ako na we gave the break to our two young protégés kasi hindi nila kami ipinahiya. The movie came out nicely and I really hope the audience will come and watch.”