Ai-Ai back to ‘normal’ life

Ai-Ai de las Alas is not exactly noted for being a crybaby. But the woman who makes the audience roll down the aisle with her wisecracks turned out to be just that a few days ago, when she launched her third album, Ang Tanging Ina Nyo, under Star Records.

She just ended a relationship which she plunged headlong into, no matter how unconventional it was. And it is because, at 39 turning 40 in Nov. 11, Ai-Ai has reached a crossroad in her life. And there’s no turning back.

The children may not say it outright. But they are protesting silently.

"My children never said a word (about her relationship with a lesbian) out of sheer love for me," observes Ai-Ai. "They saw how traumatized I was in my relationships with men, and I knew they don’t want me to go through hell again. They don’t want to see me hurt again."

But a mother always knows what her children feel deep inside. And Ai-Ai was correct in thinking that beneath that silent exterior is a heart bleeding for Mom.

The teenaged Sancho Vito, as the eldest, spoke for his brothers and sisters when he said in so many words that it’s about time she cut and cut clean. And Ai-Ai did just that.

"True, there are some things you can’t do when you’re with a man, like go shopping, for instance. But I’ve decided to lead a new life. Yes, I want to get married someday," Ai-Ai, tears welling in her eyes, confessed.

But she won’t be Ai-Ai the comedienne without those witty punchlines that jolt you out of your mid-afternoon doldrums. She bounced back to her old self by adding, "Let me see where I want to get married. Manila Cathedral? No, Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion got married there and are now separated. I’d rather get married in Lipa (Batangas), because that’s where Ate Vi (Vilma Santos) tied the knot (with Sen. Ralph Recto)."

Failed relationships have made Ai-Ai take a long, hard look at potential boyfriends. They made her realize that she’s not that picky about her ideal man, after all. Never mind if she’s Ai-Ai de las Alas the celebrity. It’s enough, she says, that he take her for what she is – warts and all. Aileen (her real name) the person, she notes, is different from Ai-Ai de las Alas, the celebrity everybody knows.

"He must love Aileen, not Ai Ai," she explains.

Financial status is not that important to her. "He need not be rich, but he must not be poor either. I don’t want to end up feeding my man! " she ticks off.

Her children’s approval is paramount, too. "My kids come first in my life," she relates. "I’m the first to cry when they have problems."

Ai-Ai – true to the lyrics of her song, Ang Tanging Ina Nyo – does not balk from going the extra mile for her children. Never mind if she ends up looking crazy because of it.

"When I’m not doing anything at home," she reveals, "I put up a mini-show for my kids. I take out one of my special outfits and render a song for them."

There must never be a dull moment in the Delas Alas household when Ai-Ai is around.

The humor is also calculated to strengthen her family.

"I want my children to be close to me. Look at me. I rebelled because I did not enjoy such a closeness with my parents," Ai- Ai states.

As she nears 40, Ai-Ai promises her children something else – a calmer, more "normal" mom who can someday give them a semblance of an average family life – with a new dad, perhaps.

And no, he won’t be Miguel Vera, whom she considers as just a friend, thank you. It will be a man she has yet to meet.

Ai-Ai admits she consulted a priest about the new direction in her life and is happy about the result. "I’ve prayed long and hard for this. And now, God has answered my prayers," a grateful Ai-Ai says.

Her career may be on the upswing. A concert with Erik Santos in Nov. 27 will see her rendering Carmen with a complete orchestra to back her up.

But there’s no substitute for peace of mind to make life at 40 – and beyond – a blast.