AI-AI says she looks up to another actress-turned-politician, Ate Vi.
Comedienne Ai-Ai de las Alas, who is determined to run for office in the 2016 national elections, is still deciding between a mayoral post or a seat in Congress.
“I’ve been preparing for the last four years,” said the actress, who enrolled at the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance in 2010. She hopes to resume her studies this school year and recently registered as a voter in her hometown, Calatagan in Batangas province.
Focus on tourism
“As mayor, my focus will be to improve the municipality’s economy through tourism. I want it to be a popular destination, like Boracay or Palawan,” De las Alas said during a media gathering organized by the Belo Medical Group. The comedienne endorses Belo’s FemiLift procedure.
If she makes it to Congress, De las Alas hopes to champion the welfare of women, especially battered wives, “because I went through that.” In March, a Las Vegas, Nevada, court granted her petition for divorce from husband Jed Salang, a businessman. She accused Salang, who is 20 years her junior, of physical abuse.
De las Alas said Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos was influential in her decision to try politics. “She’s my idol. I don’t have a senator for a husband—but we can never tell,” she quipped. Santos’ husband, Ralph Recto is currently a member of the Senate.
Spearhead changes
Disappointment in government and in public officials was also a factor in De las Alas’ newfound goal. “I’d like to spearhead changes that will really help people,” she stressed.
If fate favors her with triumph, De las Alas said, her work as an actress will take a back seat. “Like Ate Vi (Santos), I’ll probably make movies only once a year and give up television work altogether. I’m praying for God to give me a heart big enough to commit to this,” she told the Inquirer.
De las Alas, a cast member of the fantasy series “Dyesebel,” is under contract with ABS-CBN until 2016. She is set to do two movies under Star Cinema, the Kapamilya network’s film production arm.
When she finally makes up her mind which position to run for, De las Alas said, her three kids—Sancho, Niccolo and Sophia— will be the first to know. “They’re a supportive bunch,” she said. “They always say they want me to be happy.”
The 49-year-old actress has admitted going out on dates again, with younger single guys. She explained: “Men my age are most likely married, with kids. I don’t want to ruin marriages.” She preferred Filipinos to foreigners, she said, jesting, “I struggle with English.”
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)