It was nearing midnight, and Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza hadn’t called it a day. They are still at it — that is, working. Earlier that day, they were titillating the millions of AlDub followers around the world on the Eat, Bulaga! kalyeserye as they celebrated the “100th-day anniversary” of their mind-blowing romance that started on split-screen and survived challenges imposed on them by Maine as Yaya Dub’s Lola Nidora (played by Wally Bayola) until they were finally allowed to meet, dissolving into a tender embrace during a record-breaking show at the 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena (generating 41 million tweets) and…at last, at last!...with the Dubsmash Queen Maine setting aside her fansigns and, yes, talking! It was a “Maine” event, recalling the day ages ago when silent-movie queen Greta Garbo pleasantly shocked the world when she found her voice.
As soon as they were done with the kalyeserye, did Alden and Maine rush home to unwind? Guess again. They went straight to the Blue Leaf Pavilion in McKinley Hill, Taguig City, for the shoot of My Bebe Love, the Vic Sotto-Ai-Ai delas Alas starrer directed by Joey Javier Reyes, an official 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry which marks AlDub’s transition from small screen to big screen. The movie is predicted to top the MMFF, what with the legions of AlDub Nationals (as the followers are known) supporting it in full force.
That was where we found Alden and Maine, at Blue Leaf, still looking fresh and full of energy after a grueling day. After the shoot, Alden would, as usual, go home to Laguna and Maine to Bulacan, and would wake up early the next day for the daily Bulaga grind. There were also the commercials that kept them busy, more than six so far (for, among others, McDonald’s, 555 Sardines, Zonrox, O+, Talk ‘n’ Text, Coke, Bear Brand, The Belo Medical Clinic, and soon Alden’s solo Bench Fix), and counting, making them the new Commercial King and Queen. Nothing succeeds like success, right?
During a lull in the shoot, we grabbed the chance for a chat with Alden and Maine, the very first time they were interviewed together, not through fansigns (like The STAR’s first interview with Maine solo) but verbally.
“Know what,” we told the couple, “we saw your huge billboards (particularly the Belo Clinic’s) along EDSA on our way here. Kaya siguro nagka-trapik-trapik because motorists were stopping and looking.”
Admitted Maine, “For a long time, every time I would pass through EDSA I would wonder when I would see myself on a billboard. I called it my tinatagong pangarap (hidden/secret dream). I can’t believe that it has come true!”
Back then, during the three years that he was patiently waiting for his big break (although his home network GMA did give good projects like Ilustrado in which he played Dr. Jose Rizal and as Regine Velasquez’s co-host in the talent search Bet Ng Bayan, Alden only had one endorsement (Boardwalk, with clothes specially designed by his good friend Avel Bacudio). Things have changed.
Excerpts from our near-midnight Conversation:
How do you feel seeing all those billboards?
Maine: Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. At kaming dalawa pa ni Alden!
Nag-sink in ba ang katotohanang kayo ang pinakasikat na young love team today?
Alden: There’s nothing to sink in kasi the success is not only of AlDub’s but of the whole show, the Dabarkads. We owe it to the public, to the supporters, and not only to ourselves. And we don’t let it go to our heads.
How will you celebrate Christmas? (They will join the Parade of Stars that ushers in the annual Metro Filmfest.)
Maine: I’m going to Japan with my family, until New Year.
Alden (pretending to be serious): Pupunta din kami ng family ko sa Japan. (Breaking into laughter) Joke only, hahahaha!!! Actually, as usual during every occasion sa Laguna lang kami nagsi-celebrate. Doon kasi ako lumaki, eh! Siguro, we’ll eat out. Family bonding, because these past many weeks halos wala nang time with the family.”
The past 100 days you’ve been so busy. How is your sleeping schedule?
Maine: Nakakatulog pa naman ako kahit papano. I still go home to Bulacan (Sta. Maria).
Alden: I try to catch up on sleep whenever and wherever I have time, kung saan abutan ng antok. Maine and I are enjoying every moment of the kalyeserye.
(To Alden) Your pick-up lines are very witty. Where do you get them? (Sample: Alden: Sigurado ka bang taga-Bulacan ka? Hindi ka taga-Laguna?; Maine: Bakit?; Alden: Kasi luma-Laguna ang nararamdaman ko sa’yo!)
Alden: I get help from the Dabarkads backstage.
Maine: Akala ko sa’yo ‘yon!
Alden: Siempre, at the end of the day, pumipili pa rin ako.
Maine: A, sinasala mo pa ‘yon!
Any more Christmas wishes?
Maine: Sobrang blessed ko na. I can’t wish for more?
Alden: Wala na. Siguro, stability na lang.
Maine: And good health, too.
What Christmas gifts are you giving each other?
Maine: Secret!
Alden: Yeah, secret muna!
Everything started from tuksuhan (teasing). Did you ever imagine that it would be this big?
Maine: Ay, honestly hindi po at all. Kasi biruan lang, eh.
Alden: When the kalyeserye started on July 16, we didn’t have any expectations. I was just told, “Alden, manood ka ha!” There were no instructions.
Maine: Hindi ako na-orient.
Alden: Yeah, hindi kami na-orient!
(To Alden) During your “100th-day” celebration, you gave Maine 100 carnations. What did those flowers mean?
Alden: Those carnations stood for the days that we’ve been together, through the sadness and the happiness, and all the challenges na binigay sa akin ni Lola Nidora.
(To Maine) And you gave Alden a letter. Ano bang content n’un?
Maine: For his eyes only na lang. Medyo personal, eh!
So how is it working together?
Maine: Masaya! I’m thankful that in my first movie, I get to work with great actors. We are given a chance para makilala ang isa’t-isa, di na puro fansigns.
Alden: This movie gives us a chance to show what we can do as actors.
How do you feel now that you are considered The Phenomenal Love Team, known internationally (and featured in BBC and other top networks)?
Maine: Sobrang nakakagulat.
Alden: We prayed for this to happen in our lives. We assure everyone that we are putting it to good use, kasi we are placed here for a purpose and that purpose is to bring happiness and inspiration to people.
How do you handle all this?
Maine: Hindi ko po masyadong iniiisip. Hindi ko inilalagay sa ulo ko ‘yung kasikatan.
Alden: I make sure that I have my feet on the ground.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com.)