Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza, the famous pair that makes up the “AlDub” love team. Pictures from EB Social Media Department
The thing Alden Richards found most attractive about his split-screen partner, Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza—at least in the fleeting moment they met before a plywood literally got in their way—was her show of “genuine emotion.”
“I think what you see is what you get with her,” the 23-year-old actor said of the other half of the “AlDub” duo, the heart of the ongoing pop culture phenomenon that is “Eat Bulaga’s” “All for Juan, Juan for All” kalyeserye. “I believe that it’s also one of the reasons why so many people love her.”
At AlDub’s recent launch as the endorsers of Talk ’n Text’s latest Extend promo, members of the entertainment press and guests broke into collective squeals and gasps when Alden said he would like to know Maine better.
“I want to get to know her. Aside from our encounters these past two Saturdays, I hope to get the chance to talk to her and meet her personally. And from there, let’s see how things go,” he told reporters.
No contact
But as the ferocious and relentlessly hilarious Lola Nidora, who’s played by comedian-TV host Wally Bayola, always says, everything will eventually happen…“sa tamang panahon.” To this day, Alden and Maine have yet to communicate—no phone calls, text messages or exchanges in social media.
“I don’t even have her number. Well, Lola Nidora gave me three digits!” Alden related, adding that secretly attempting to contact Maine would defeat the show’s purpose. “We want to preserve the magic and kilig.
ALDEN on Yaya Dub: “I hope to get the chance to talk to her and meet her personally.”
“We’re not teasing or leaving anyone hanging. We’re really waiting for the right time,” the GMA 7 star added.
Breaking Twitterverse
The romantic tandem has been breaking Twitter records almost every weekend. “Eat Bulaga’s” Sept. 12 episode elicited 6.35 million posts containing the hashtag #ALDUBTheAbduction, thanks to the two TV superstars’ devoted and still growing fan base, the AlDub Nation.
Meanwhile, the Sept. 19 episode garnered 12.1 million posts containing the hashtag #ALDUBMostAwaitedDate.
“Even we can’t explain it. This is all so unexpected for everyone involved and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our supporters,” he said.
But with legions of zealous supporters come the inevitable online wars with other fan clubs, which, Alden said, should be avoided. “We’re not competing with other love teams. We’re just having fun. Let’s stay peaceful. Kiligin at tumawa na lang tayo nang sabay-sabay,” Alden said.
Asked how long he thinks AlDub fever will last, Alden conceded that there’s no way of telling and that he simply wants to enjoy the ride.
“I don’t want to preempt anything. I just try to savor every moment…I put it in my heart, not my head. I’m happy and content…This is more than what I could ever ask for,” he said.
At the end of the media gathering’s Q&A portion, Talk ’n Text showed a video featuring Maine doing all sorts of silly things—lip-syncing, making faces, dancing—the usual.
And right before the clip faded to black, Maine blew a kiss, which, Alden—by force of habit or pure instinct—promptly caught and rubbed against his cheek. Another round of squeals and giggles.