Ai-Ai delas Alas (left) and Gerald Sibayan —NICEPRINT PHOTO
It’s Ai-Ai delas Alas’ first time to have a prenuptial pictorial, but she’s no stranger to prenuptial contracts.
She tied the knot twice before (to Miguel Vera in 1993, then to Jed Salang in 2013), but her recent prenup shoot with fiancé Gerald Sibayan was a first for her.
“Feeling dalaga (bachelorette),” she quipped at the press conference for her latest film, “Bes and the Beshies.” “This time, it’s real and it’s right!”
Ai-Ai is set to march down the aisle on Dec. 12. Although destination wedding in Paris or Boracay is the trend among celebs these days, Ai-Ai and Gerald have opted to hold their special day in Manila, in a “simple and solemn” ceremony, with 300 of their nearest and dearest.
Make that, a star-studded entourage. Megastar Sharon Cuneta is the matron of honor. Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes are among the secondary sponsors, while Alden Richards is one of the best men.
Ai-Ai delas Alas. PHOTO by NICE PRINT PHOTO
On the bridesmaids’ list are Regine Velasquez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Eugene Domingo and Pops Fernandez, while Ogie Alcasid, Bayani Agbayani, Randy Santiago and Piolo Pascual are among the groomsmen.
Marian took charge of the bridal gown, designed by Frederick Peralta. “It’s Marian’s gift to me.” Marian suggested an “elegant and expensive” ensemble to the bride who declined. “Nahiya ako,” Ai-Ai demurred.
Although she wanted to keep the gown’s design under wraps, she relented and shared with Inquirer that the dress would be “colorful … parang fiesta!” The veil will be hand-painted by Louie Ignacio, who directed her drama movie, “Area.”
For the prenup shoot, Ai-Ai wore a striking red gown. “So that I would stand out … because the venue, the Temple of Leah in Cebu, is in beige and earth colors.” Other venues were Sirao Farm and the 10,000 Lighted Roses Café, in Cebu.
The couple’s honeymoon is a present, as well—from APT big boss and principal sponsor Antonio Tuviera. “Ninong asked us where we wanted to go … I quickly said: Europe!”
The comedienne turned earnest, however, when talk veered toward prenup contracts. “We have one, but the lawyer advised us not to go into details. Confidential, eh.”
She explained that her mother, along with Gerald’s family, had wanted them to draft the agreement. “It’s for the best. It’s for Gerald’s peace of mind, also. So that the bashers would stop criticizing him.”
She hastened to add that a prenup agreement is not a fool-proof protection against gold diggers, though. “Even if you have a prenup, if your partner is determined to steal from you, he or she can find a way around the law.”
She exclaimed: “Whether you’re a celebrity or not, money should not be the basis of your relationship. That’s not the essence of love. ’Di ba pang-Miss Universe ang sagot?”’
Another first for Ai-Ai is that she and Gerald are going through the usual premarital counseling, conducted by the Catholic church.
Ai-Ai delas Alas (left) and Gerald Sibayan. PHOTO by NICE PRINT PHOTO
After their session with Bishop Antonio Tobias, the couple decided to move up their wedding date.
“We were supposed to get married next year, but Bishop Tobias urged us to do it as soon as we can,” she said.
An obvious hurdle perceived by casual observers is the pair’s nearly 30-year age gap. Gerald is 23; Ai-Ai, 52.
“In love, age doesn’t matter,” she enthused. “In any case, I am forever young at heart!”
She is certain that this time, it’s for keeps.
“Now, I am marrying for love,” she noted. “Before, there was a hidden agenda. I wanted to annoy someone … the third party. Na-karma tuloy ako! But, this time, I fixed my life first, and I am marrying for the right reasons.”
Ai-Ai volunteered that Gerald had shared with her a private joke. “He told me that he would change his surname to Delas Alas after our wedding. He was not serious, of course. His dad would get mad at him!”
Ai-Ai delas Alas (left) and Gerald Sibayan. PHOTO by NICE PRINT PHOTO
That was precisely what made her fall for him. “He isn’t intimidated by my success. He is very secure in himself,” Ai-Ai asserted.
By her own admission, she can be iron-willed, having been a solo parent for so long.
Even in her choice of roles, she is drawn toward strong women characters—like in her latest film, Joel Lamangan’s “Bes and the Beshies,” which opens on Oct. 18. “I play a single mom. It’s a women’s empowerment movie. It tackles the lives of different kinds of women—their relationship and family issues.”