Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan (born November 11, 1964), known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipino actress and comedian. She is widely regarded as the country's "Queen of Comedy" for her comedic talent and best known for her role in the film ''
Ang Tanging Ina'' (2003), which became a
blockbuster
Blockbuster or Block Buster may refer to:
*Blockbuster (entertainment) a term coined for an extremely successful movie, from which most other uses are derived.
Corporations
* Blockbuster (retailer), a defunct video and game rental chain
** Bl ...
hit. On account of the film's popularity, a television series
spin-off was produced, as well as three
sequel
A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...
s: ''
Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat
''Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat'' () is a 2008 Filipino comedy film directed by Wenn V. Deramas and starring Ai-Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo. It is the sequel to a 2003 comedy film ''Ang Tanging Ina''. It was released on December 25, 2008, as ...
'' (2008), ''
Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!)'' (2010) and ''
Enteng ng Ina Mo'' (2011), with delas Alas reprising her role. She also appeared in the
comedy film
A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...
''
Our Mighty Yaya
''Our Mighty Yaya'' () is a 2017 Philippine family comedy film written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes. The film stars Ai-Ai delas Alas as Virgie, a hideous-looking but sympathetic woman from the province, who hires as a nanny for a well-to-do f ...
'', which premiered on May 10, 2017, through
Regal Entertainment
Regal Entertainment, Inc. (formerly and more commonly known as Regal Films) is a Philippine film production company based in Pasig. It was founded by Lily Monteverde on August 19, 1962. It has produced movies of all genres; and is the oldest s ...
.
Early and personal life
Delas Alas is the daughter of Rosendo delas Alas (1920–2008) and Gregoria delas Alas ''
née
A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...
'' Hernández (died December 30, 2013), and was later adopted by her older, unmarried aunt, Justa delas Alas. She earned a mass communication degree from
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Pamantasan ng Malayong Silanganan''), also referred to by its acronym FEU, is a Private university, private non-sectarian Liberal arts college, liberal arts university in Manila, Philippines ...
(FEU) in 1985.
She was married to actor Miguel Vera, with whom she had two children; she also has a son from a previous relationship with Hernan Jeng Jeng Viola, a guitarist.
[ Before acting, she worked as a ]sales
Sales are activities related to selling or the number of goods sold in a given targeted time period. The delivery of a service for a cost is also considered a sale.
The seller, or the provider of the goods or services, completes a sale in r ...
assistant in a department store, and also performed as a stand-up comic
Stand-up comedy is a comedic performance to a live audience in which the performer addresses the audience directly from the stage. The performer is known as a comedian, a comic or a stand-up.
Stand-up comedy consists of one-liners, stories, ...
in comedy bars around Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the capital region, seat of government and one of three List of metrop ...
. On April 3, 2013, she married Jed Salang, at the time a 28-year-old unemployed man who was 20 years her junior. The marriage ended after a month, with delas Alas confirming their separation on May 19, 2013. Delas Alas confirmed through Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can ...
her engagement to Gerald Sibayan in April 2017; the two married in November 2017.
Career
Delas Alas started her career on GMA Network
GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...
back in 1991, as a host of Saturday late-night musical variety show ''RSVP'', with Dawn Zulueta
Marie Rachel Salman Taleon-Lagdameo (born March 4, 1969), known professionally as Dawn Zulueta (), is a Filipino actress, host and commercial model. She was recognized as the only Filipino actor to win two different major accolades in acting cat ...
and Ariel Urieta. Delas Alas co-hosted GMA noontime shows ''Lunch Date
''Lunch Date'' is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Originally hosted by Orly Mercado, Rico J. Puno, Chiqui Hollman and Toni Rose Gayda, it premiered on June 9, 1986 replacing '' Student Canteen''. The show conclud ...
'' (1991–1993), '' SST: Salo-Salo Together'' (1993–1995) and ''Eat Bulaga!
''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally ...
'' (2000). She was a member of the cast of GMA sitcoms ''Ibang Klase'' with Joey De Leon, Jessa Zaragosa, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Aiza Seguerra in 1997–1998, and '' 1 for 3'' with Vic Sotto and Rosanna Roces between 1999 and 2001.
Delas Alas has acted in several films, including '' Ang Tanging Ina'' from Star Cinema
ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (doing business as Star Cinema or ABS-CBN Films) is a Philippines, Filipino film studio and film and television production company and film distributor headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the major film ...
, which became the highest-grossing film of 2003. It was followed by more comedy films like '' Volta'' where she played a superhero, which spun off into a television series. In the noon-time television show ''MTB: Ang Saya Saya'' she was one of the lead hosts. In prime-time teleseries, she played an important role in the TV remake of ''Bituing Walang Ningning
''Bituing Walang Ningning'' () is a 2006 musical television drama series that aired on ABS-CBN from May 15 to September 29, 2006, replacing ''Gulong ng Palad''. For most of its run, the soap opera was the network's highest rated show in prime t ...
'' as Dorina's mother. She has also acted in the films '' Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo'', ''Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat
''Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat'' () is a 2008 Filipino comedy film directed by Wenn V. Deramas and starring Ai-Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo. It is the sequel to a 2003 comedy film ''Ang Tanging Ina''. It was released on December 25, 2008, as ...
'' and ''Pasukob''.
She also released her first album on Star Records
Star Music (stylized in lowercase as starmusic; formerly known as Star Records), is a record label in the Philippines owned and operated by media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. It was formerly a separate company operating as a wholly owned ...
, entitled ''Ang Tanging Ina Nyo''; this featured six novelty tunes. During the November 9 episode of ASAP 19, she premiered her song "Nandito Lang Ako", and revealed that she would be going under the stage name of ADA.
Return to GMA Network
After almost two decades of working with ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...
, delas Alas decided to return to GMA Network, signing a two-year exclusive contract. One of the deciding factors for her move was the lack of projects for her from the Kapamilya Network. Her last show on ABS-CBN was the remake of ''Dyesebel
''Dyesebel'' () is a Filipino comic book character, conceived by Mars Ravelo and drawn by Elpidio Torres. Dyesebel is a mermaid, who eventually gains full human form through a deal with a sea-witch.
Aside appearing in Pilipino Komiks, Dyesebe ...
'' alongside Anne Curtis
Anne Curtis-Smith(; born 17 February 1985) is a Filipino-Australian actress, model, television host, entrepreneur and recording artist. She is dubbed as the "''Multimedia Superstar''" for her talent and influence.
Curtis has received numerou ...
.
Her return was celebrated in the Sunday-noontime show ''Sunday All Stars
''Sunday All Stars'' is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. It premiered on June 16, 2013 on the network's Sunday afternoon line up replacing ''Party Pilipinas''. The show concluded on August 2, 2015 with a total of 10 ...
'', where she was warmly welcomed as the newest Kapuso. As her first project, Delas Alas joined the cast of GMA's Telebabad series '' Let The Love Begin'', in which she played the mother of Ruru Madrid Ruru may refer to:
Places
* Ruru, Nepal
* Ruru, New Zealand
People
* Rouran, an ancient nomadic race from the Mongolian steppes, also called Juan Juan
* Ruru Madrid, a Filipino teen actor
Others
*Māori name for the morepork owl
*A Kanohi from th ...
. The show's final episode aired on August 7, 2015.
Delas Alas is also one of the main hosts and comedians in the newest Sunday afternoon comedy variety show ''Sunday PinaSaya
''Sunday PinaSaya'' () is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Ai-Ai delas Alas, Marian Rivera, Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo, it premiered on August 9, 2015 on the network's Sunday Grande sa Hapon line up rep ...
'', alongside Marian Rivera
Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes (; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino recording artist, actress, and commercial model. She gained prominence as a widely-acclaimed actress for her roles in '' MariMar'', ''Dyesebel'', '' Amaya'', '' Darna'' and '' T ...
and the comedy duo Jose Manalo
Ariel Pagtalonia Manalo (born February 12, 1966), known professionally as Jose Manalo, is a Filipino actor, director, and comedian best known for appearing regularly on the noon-time variety show ''Eat Bulaga!'' on GMA Network. He is also known ...
and Wally Bayola
Walter James Bayola (born May 3, 1972), popularly known as Wally Bayola, is a Filipino comedian and actor. He is best known for portraying Lola Nidora (sometimes Duhrizz, Rihanna and Doktora the Explorer) in the ''Kalyeserye'' portion of the no ...
. ''Sunday PinaSaya'' challenged its rival variety show, '' ASAP 20'' of ABS-CBN Corporation. Delas Alas is also one of the hosts of GMA Network's celebrity talk show ''CelebriTV
''CelebriTV'' is a Philippine television comedy talk show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Ai-Ai delas Alas, Joey de Leon and Lolit Solis, it premiered on September 19, 2015 replacing '' Startalk''. The show concluded on May 21, 2016 with a ...
'', which replaced the longest-running celebrity talk show '' Startalk''. She hosts this alongside Joey De Leon
Jose Maria Ramos de Leon Jr. (born October 14, 1946), professionally known as Joey de Leon, is a Filipino comedian, actor, television presenter and songwriter. He hosts the noontime variety show ''Eat Bulaga!'' He is a member of the comedy trio ...
, Lolit Solis, and Ricky Lo
Ricardo "Ricky" Fua Lo (April 21, 1946 – May 4, 2021) was a Filipino entertainment writer and commentator, and TV host.
Early life and education
Lo, born of Chinese descent, was a native of Las Navas, Northern Samar, where he finished gra ...
. The show premiered on September 19, 2015.
Aside from television shows in the Kapuso Network, Delas Alas also joined international shows in Canada and the United States through GMA Pinoy TV
GMA Pinoy TV is a Philippine pay television channel that was launched in March 14, 2005, by GMA Network. Operated by its subsidiaries, GMA International and GMA Worldwide Inc, it is targeted towards the Philippine diaspora.
Programming
The ...
. She was one of the guests in the 10th anniversary of GMA Pinoy TV.
After the successful '' Enteng ng Ina Mo'' with Vic Sotto
Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto (; born April 28, 1954), professionally known as Vic Sotto, is a Filipino actor, singer and comedian known far and wide for his various television and film projects on the major Philippine television networks GMA ...
in 2011, delas Alas and Sotto reappeared in the romantic comedy ''My Bebe Love
''My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore'' () is a 2015 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jose Javier Reyes, starring Ai-Ai delas Alas and Vic Sotto with Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. It is an official entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festiva ...
'', released in December 2015. Directed by Jose Javier Reyes
Jose "Joey" Javier Reyes (born October 21, 1954) is a Filipino professor, writer, director, miscellaneous crew and actor. He has won awards at the Gawad Urian, Metro Manila Film Festival and Filipino Star Awards for Movies for his films, whi ...
, it features the ''Eat Bulaga!'' love team of Alden Richards
Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr. (born January 2, 1992), known professionally as Alden Richards, is an award-winning Filipino actor, singer, host, and entrepreneur. He is dubbed as "The Asia's Multimedia Star" after receiving the Asian Star Pri ...
and AlDub
AlDub is a Philippine supercouple which first appeared in the Kalyeserye portion of the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment of the variety show ''Eat Bulaga!'' They were also called as the "phenomenal love team" due to their rise in popula ...
(Maine Mendoza).
In June 2020, Delas Alas signed a contract with GMA Artist Center
Sparkle (formerly GMA Artist Center, also known as Sparkle GMA Artist Center and GMA Talent Management and Development Department) is the talent agency owned by GMA Network Inc. based in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines that was founded ...
.
2017–present, GMA Records
In November 2017, de las Alas signed a contract with GMA Records
GMA Music (formerly known as Infiniti Music and GMA Records) is a subsidiary of GMA Network Inc. and is engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of music and concerts. GMA Music is a member of PARI and has the distinction of havin ...
and released a single titled "Walang Pinipili".
Controversy
Quezon City Persona non Grata
Ai-Ai delas Alas was declared a ''persona non grata'' after a resolution approved on June 7, 2022. The Quezon City Council stated that delas Alas along with the controversial director Darryl Yap have defaced the Quezon City’s triangular seal in a video posted on Yap’s Vincentiments Facebook Page. The resolution noted that City's seal was defaced due to the additions of the initials "BBM" and "Sara", which referred to President-Elect Bongbong Marcos and Vice-President Elect Sara Duterte. Both of whom supported the mayoral campaign of Mike Defensor
Michael Tan Defensor (, born June 30, 1969) is a Filipino politician who most recently served as the Party-list Representative for Anakalusugan from 2019 to 2022. He is also the CEO of Pax Libera Mining, Inc.
Defensor began his political ca ...
in Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
. The video was initially posted as a campaign video for Mike Defensor who ran and lost against the incumbent mayor, Joy Belmonte
Joy Belmonte (born Maria Josefina Tanya Go Belmonte; March 15, 1970) is a Filipina politician who has served as the 11th mayor of Quezon City since 2019. A member of the local Serbisyo sa Bayan Party, Belmonte previously served as the vice ma ...
. Lagman noted that the Quezon City seal has been the official coat of arms of the city since it was approved by the Office of the President and adopted by the City Council on February 3, 1997, through Resolution No. 10320, S-1975.
One of the provincial board members said that this resolution, contrary to what happens in general, is not aimed at prohibiting Ai-Ai from the locality but it has been passed for expressing the official sentiment towards her.
The camp of Ai-Ai delas Alas condemned the resolution and said that it "endangers the protection granted by the freedom of expression for artists, entertainers, content creators, and comedians who use satire or parody to express sentiments or criticize public acts or figures".
Other ventures
As a film producer
Delas Alas has produced some of the films in which she has starred.
List of films co-produced by Ai-Ai delas Alas
# '' Enteng ng Ina Mo'', co-produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.
ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (doing business as Star Cinema or ABS-CBN Films) is a Philippines, Filipino film studio and film and television production company and film distributor headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the major film ...
, M - Zet TV Productions, Inc., OctoArts Films
OctoArts Films (also known as OctoArts Films International for foreign films) is a Filipino film production and distribution company founded in 1989 by Orly R. Ilacad. A veteran record producer, Ilacad only decided to establish the film compan ...
and APT Entertainment
APT Entertainment, Inc. is a television and film production company in the Philippines.
History
APT Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of TAPE Inc., and the producer of the longest-running noontime variety show, ''Eat Bulaga!''. APT stands ...
; with Vic Sotto
Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto (; born April 28, 1954), professionally known as Vic Sotto, is a Filipino actor, singer and comedian known far and wide for his various television and film projects on the major Philippine television networks GMA ...
# ''Sisterakas
''Sisterakas'' is a 2012 Filipino comedy parody film produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films and selected as one of the eight official entries to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film was released nationwide in theaters on December 25, 20 ...
'', co-produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. and Viva Films
Viva Films is a Philippine film production company established under Viva Communications. It was founded on November 11, 1981, by Vic del Rosario Jr.
History
Veering away from the Sharon Cuneta-Gabby Concepcion tandem, Viva became home to qual ...
; with Vice Ganda
Jose Marie Borja Viceral (born March 31, 1976), popularly known as Vice Ganda (; ), is a Filipino comedian, talk show host, television presenter, actor, entrepreneur, and singer. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show '' It' ...
and Kris Aquino
Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), professionally known as Kris Aquino (), is a Filipino television host, actress, producer, socialite and businesswoman.
Dubbed as Philippine's "Queen of All Media", Aquino has hos ...
# ''Kung Fu Divas
''Kung Fu Divas'' is a 2013 Philippine action comedy film directed by Onat Diaz and starring Ai Ai delas Alas and Marian Rivera. The lead stars also co-produced the film which opened in theaters on October 2, 2013 as part of Star Cinema's 20th Ann ...
'', co-produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc., Reality Entertainment
Reality Entertainment is a Philippine production company founded and managed by the Filipino filmmaker Erik Matti and his producing partner Dondon Monteverde (son of the film producer Lily Monteverde
Lily Yu Monteverde, nicknamed Mother Lil ...
and The O&Co. Picture Factory; with Marian Rivera
Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes (; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino recording artist, actress, and commercial model. She gained prominence as a widely-acclaimed actress for her roles in '' MariMar'', ''Dyesebel'', '' Amaya'', '' Darna'' and '' T ...
, who was also a producer of the film.
MEDA Productions
Martina Eileen Delas Alas Productions, also known as MEDA Productions, is a film production company in the Philippines managed by delas Alas.
Theatrical featured films of MEDA Productions
# My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore ( December 25, 2015) co-produced by OctoArts Films
OctoArts Films (also known as OctoArts Films International for foreign films) is a Filipino film production and distribution company founded in 1989 by Orly R. Ilacad. A veteran record producer, Ilacad only decided to establish the film compan ...
, M - Zet TV Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment
APT Entertainment, Inc. is a television and film production company in the Philippines.
History
APT Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of TAPE Inc., and the producer of the longest-running noontime variety show, ''Eat Bulaga!''. APT stands ...
and GMA Films
GMA Pictures, formerly Cinemax Studios and GMA Films, is a film and television production company in the Philippines, established by GMA Network in 1995. Its films include ''Jose Rizal'', '' Muro Ami'', and '' Deathrow''.
Filmography
Histor ...
; starring Vic Sotto
Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto (; born April 28, 1954), professionally known as Vic Sotto, is a Filipino actor, singer and comedian known far and wide for his various television and film projects on the major Philippine television networks GMA ...
, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Alden Richards
Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr. (born January 2, 1992), known professionally as Alden Richards, is an award-winning Filipino actor, singer, host, and entrepreneur. He is dubbed as "The Asia's Multimedia Star" after receiving the Asian Star Pri ...
and Maine Mendoza
Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza (born March 3, 1995), better known as Maine Mendoza (), is a Filipino actress and television personality. She is best known for her viral Dubsmash videos and her role as Yaya Dub in the noontime reality show ''Ea ...
As a talent manager
Ai-Ai delas Alas was the manager of the Filipino hiphop collective Ex Battalion
Ex Battalion (colloquially abbreviated as Ex B) is a Filipino hip hop collective from Muntinlupa City, Philippines, primarily known for the hit singles "Hayaan Mo Sila" in 2017 and "No Games" in 2016. The group was originally formed as a rap b ...
for a brief period of time, from June 2018 to May 2019.
The former manager reportedly relinquished her role to the group's original leader, Mark Maglasang due to the unprofessional and disobedient attitude of most of the members. According to her, she has been putting up with their behavior for 9 months already, characterized with continuous absence in meeting sessions and disrespectful behaviour displayed by other members when reprimanded. "I can only do so much. If they want their group to prosper, then I guess they must change themselves first. I can't help them if they won't help themselves", she insisted.
Filmography
Film
Television
Awards and nominations
Honours
*
Recipient of the ''Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
''Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice'' ("For Church and Pope" in Latin) is a decoration of the Holy See. It is currently conferred for distinguished service to the Catholic Church by lay people and clergy.
History
The medal was established by Leo XIII o ...
''
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Delas Alas, Ai-Ai
1964 births
Living people
Filipino film actresses
Filipino television actresses
Filipino women comedians
21st-century Filipino women singers
Star Circle Quest
Actresses from Batangas
Singers from Batangas
Far Eastern University alumni
GMA Network personalities
ABS-CBN personalities
20th-century Filipino women singers