Ai-Ai in ‘school bus’ gown goes the extra mile

Ai-Ai delas Alas —CCP

Comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas added a dash of color and pizzazz to the usually sedate and somber Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, during the recent gala screening of her Cinemalaya entry, Louie Ignacio’s “School Service.”

Ai-Ai graced the red carpet event in a “school bus” gown, created by designer Pristine de Guzman, as homage to the gritty drama’s titular vehicle from hell. She plays a syndicate minion who abducts kids and forces them to beg in the urban jungle.

Direk Louie commends Ai-Ai for going the extra mile and cooking up these outré and outlandish costumes for glittery occasions. “Ai-Ai really makes an effort every time.”

The same is true on the set of the film, which was shot in the crowded streets of Manila. For example, the climactic chase scene was filmed on Lambingan Bridge in Sta. Ana, Manila.

“Mahirap ’yung finale,” Ai-Ai recalls. “We were in the middle of the road and it was way past midnight. It was a challenging shoot. There many people who were watching us. I could hear them making chika all around us!”

But she had to remain focused all throughout the scene that required utmost silence and stillness from her—what Direk Louie called “quiet rage.”

When she finally saw the film at the gala, she was stunned speechless. “May tulala factor ako! Kasi it was my first time to see the movie. I felt pity for the children who were victimized by crime syndicates. It served as a reality check, too, and made me feel how lucky I was that I didn’t experience such hardships in real life.”—BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.