Ai-Ai: No to marriage but yes to romance

THE COMIC hopes to “find a partner, not necessarily a husband.” arnold almacen

Ai-Ai de las Alas has vowed to never get married again.

The comedienne made the promise a month after the Las Vegas court granted her petition for divorce from husband Jed Salang, a businessman.

The 49-year-old actress said she felt “relieved and a little sad” when she finally got her copy of the decision two weeks ago. “I told myself, ‘Dalaga na ako! Pasensya ka na Ai. Di ka na naman successful. Gano’n talaga. At least you tried,’” she told the Inquirer. “Before Jed and I got married, I said that would be my last—and that if it failed, I’d stop wishing for marriage.”

No guarantee

However, Ai-Ai has not given up on love. “I’m still hoping to find a partner, not necessarily a husband,” she pointed out. “I’ve come to realize that a wedding does not guarantee you’ll be together forever. This will happen only if your partner promises to treat you with respect—and keep that promise.”

She added: “[But] not all men are like my ex-husband. I guess Jed and I were really not compatible. We have different personalities and he’s much younger than I am.” In her petition, Ai-Ai accused Jed, who is 20 years her junior, of physical abuse.

The comedienne is currently working on ABS-CBN’s newest fantasy series, “Dyesebel.” Ai-Ai plays Banak, the surrogate mom of the mermaid heroine portrayed by Anne Curtis.

To prepare for her role, Ai-Ai had to learn how to swim like a mermaid.

Very difficult

She recounted:  “It was very difficult because I started not knowing how to swim at all. I almost drowned in my seventh session with the coach. He made me swim in a pool that was 10 feet deep. I panicked and forgot to control my breathing.”

Luckily, Ai-Ai said, she recovered quickly. “I gained confidence in the fifth session. Now, I’m no longer afraid. I still need to complete my training. I’ll be taught how to breathe using an oxygen tank next.”

Ai-Ai will likewise start working on the Cinemalaya entry, Nick Olanka’s “Ronda,” this month. The actress described the movie as “a mix of drama and psychological thriller.”

Love scene

“I’m excited to work on it. I will play the role of a mother and a police officer. Star Cinema [with which I have a movie contract] has given me permission to do it,” Ai-Ai said. “I like that this film will give me the opportunity to work on something different. I will not only get to use a gun, but also get to do a love scene!”

Part of the thrill of doing “Ronda,” Ai-Ai quipped, was the chance to do something that Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie did in the action flick “Wanted.”

She explained, “Gusto ko rin ipakita ang puwet ko. I want to earn using my body! Seriously, I agreed to this because I also want a movie that will tour foreign film festivals and maybe win an international award.”

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