Ai-Ai raised to the fourth level

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the emergence of pretenders through the past years, none of them can hold a candle to Ai-Ai delas Alas who proudly holds the enviable distinction as the country’s Her Comic Highness.

She deserves the title, after all Ai-Ai has proven her drawing power, her being a “royalty,” not only on TV but also in the movies and in the concert circuit.

Her box-office drawing power has been amply proven particularly by the Star Cinema Tanging Ina franchise which has elevated Ai-Ai to the fourth level in her forthcoming outing for the 2010 Metro Manila Filmfest aptly titled Ang Tanging Ina Mo, Last Na ‘To, one of Star Cinema’s entries.

The movie continues the “howl-arious” misadventures of Ina Montecillo (played with knockout comic punch by Ai-Ai), again directed by Wenn Deramas, who was first introduced a few years ago in Tanging Ina which was such a big hit that the company decided to follow it up with Tanging Ina ‘N’yong Lahat, another hit that required a follow-up titled Tanging Pamilya which marked the movie comeback of Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

In her third Tanging Ina starrer, Ai-Ai plays a motherly former president (of the Republic of the Philippines no less!) and she proved beyond doubt that only she can get away with wackily playing a unique lady head of state who successfully keeps a balance between being mother to her many children and mother to the whole country.

And also, in her own characteristic style, only Ai-Ai can claim, as she did during the promo for her Akin ang Tronong ‘To concert, that only she and nobody else has a right to “use” Pres. Noynoy “P-Noy” Aquino — in the gimmick for the concert, that is.

“As everybody knows,” said Ai-Ai, “the President’s sister (Kris) is my BFF (Best Friend Forever).”

Ai-Ai, who stars with Kris in a commercial, helped campaign for P-Noy during last May’s elections.

So what big thing could the “motherly former president” be up to?

In Ang Tanging Ina Mo, Last Na ‘To, Ai-Ai as Ina Montecillo chooses to go back to simple living with her children even if she’s already a world celebrity. Ina starts to feel that she’s now being forgotten but she doesn’t really mind — until she gets the bad news that she’s terminally ill and has only six to eight months to live.

Sure to be again a hit, Ang Tanging Ina Mo, Last Na ‘To is bound to brighten up the otherwise somewhat gloomy economic scene.

Asked what her “secret” formula is, Ai-Ai said that she makes it a point not to make fun of people and never to go beyond good taste.

“Instead,” she added, “I make fun of myself, my physical shortcomings.”

Predicted to be a hit like the first three, will Ang Tanging Ina Mo, Last Na ‘To have another follow-up “by insistent public clamor”?

“Why not?” said Ai-Ai.

The fifth outing may be called Ang Tanging Ina Mo, Last Na Last na Talaga ‘To.

Only Ai-Ai can do it and get away with it.