Paolo Ballesteros, still pretty as Lola Tidora

PAOLO Ballesteros as Lola Tidora in “Eat Bulaga’s” popular segment

“Eat Bulaga’s” phenomenal AlDub kalyeserye serves as Filipinos’ favorite dessert at lunchtime. It is almost an addiction. Paolo Ballesteros as Lola Tidora in the serye totally cracks me up. Pao has wowed us with his various makeup transformations. But his Tidora character is the zaniest of them all. Will Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza and Alden Richards love happily ever after? As we all eagerly await AlDub’s forever to begin, Yaya’s three wacky lolas will keep us laughing every heartbeat of the way.

Why do you think the AlDub kalyeserye has become a phenomenon?

I think it’s because everyone believes and can relate to a Cinderella love story. Most of us are hopeless romantics. We all want to have our own Cinderella and Prince Charming in our lives.

Let us in on your rituals as you prepare to transform into Tidora.

After putting on the makeup myself, the costumes and accessories are

chosen and then we are briefed on what’s going to happen. The staffers just give us bullet points and explain the timing.

What’s your daughter’s reaction to your portrayal of Tidora?

She’s busy with school in Chicago because they just started, but my nieces and nephews are all fans of the kalyeserye. They were so happy that I became one of the lolas of Yaya Dub.

How much of the kalyeserye is scripted and how much of it is ad-lib?

We are just briefed on what’s supposed to happen but most of the time we ad-lib to the point that another story line emerges. For example, supposedly there are only lola twins Nidora and Tidora, but [in one episode of] the kalyeserye itself, Wally (Bayola) and I joked that there was another lola… We were just teasing Jose (Manalo), but the staff thought it would be funnier if we would be triplets with the same makeup, hairdo and outfit.

How do you keep a poker face while doing the hilarious kalyeserye?

I can’t maintain a poker face. I can’t help laughing at our antics. It goes to show that we really enjoy what we are doing.

Do you want Alden and Yaya Dub to meet soon or do you still want it delayed?

A part of me says “yes.” I want them to have a close encounter already so the burden in viewers’ hearts will be gone. But at the same time, I want to see more giddy moments that they will share, while they are still apart. It’s human nature that the more two people are being torn apart, the deeper their desire becomes. And the moment they finally meet, it will be more exciting.

As Tidora, what’s the best love advice you can give?

Never lose hope for the one you love, because if the person is really for you, he or she will be yours…. sa tamang panahon (as Lola Nidora puts it).