‘D’ Ninang’ grand media launch and light moments with its main cast

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

‘D’ Ninang’ from Regal Entertainment, Inc. stars “The Comedy Queen” Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas who is no stranger to comedies that have invariably tickled the funny bone of every Filipino. In fact, some of the greatest and most memorable comedy movies of the last twenty years Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas has been a part of or the lead star.

No doubt, Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas is a household name in the Philippines. She is one of the last true great remaining masters of the art of comedy–zeroing on Pinoy humor–from our side of the globe. Everyone who has seen and enjoyed her movies and programs can testify to that.

On a personal note, I remember it was in the late 90s when I first got to watch Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas perform. It was at our village event and she was rollickingly funny! Clearly, she finds humor and something to laugh about even if it is at her expense. Her extemporaneous spiels as she narrated to the big crowd at the park the stringent security measures and the rigorous questionings that she, her companions, and the cab driver had to go through before they were finally let in at the gate were so hilarious and comical. She had the audience that night hooked to her every joke and almost rolling on the ground with laughter as she poked fun at herself and at members of the audience. Back then to me, she already proved to be naturally gifted at comedy because all her jokes were extemporaneously pegged to the moment.

Now, in ‘D’ Ninang’ which is the newest and latest movie from Regal Entertainment, Inc., Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas will once again show her comedic chops, comedic timing, and sharp wit. Her co-stars are Kisses Delavin, McCoy De Leon, Kiray Celis, Kelvin Miranda, Joey Marquez, Lou Veloso and “Regal Baby” Angel Guardian.

‘D’ Ninang’ starring Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Kisses Delavin and McCoy De Leon promises to be a modern-day family comedy that is for everyone to enjoy. ‘D’ Ninang’ is directed by GB Sampedro and is produced by Regal Entertainment, Inc.

‘D’ Ninang’ is scheduled for a nationwide release in cinemas starting on January 22, 2020.

Below, are my questions for the main cast of ‘D’ Ninang’: Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas, McCoy De Leon, Kisses Delavin, Kiray Celis, Lou Veloso, and Angel Guardian:

1. In doing this movie, did you have to interview real criminals so they could you their tips and tricks in order to succeed in their activities? Can you share with us what some of those tips and tricks are?

McCoy De Leon – Hindi po. Kasi ang isang role ko dito ay isang criminology student. So, nag effort ako na mag interact sa mga criminilogy students. So, bilang isang criminilogy student, nag p-practice ka sa pagiging isang pulis.

Kisses Delavin – Ako po, dito, ang character ko ay nag-aral ng course ng Political Science. So, hindi po ako nag interview ng criminal kasi hindi naman kailangan. Pero sa tingin ko po, yung mga gumanap nun, napaka believable pagganap nila.

Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas – Ako naman, sa totoong criminal wala naman… pero inaral ko yung yaya na nagnakaw sa amin kung paano siya magnakaw. Kaya, gets na gets ko kung paano siya mag acting kaya, ganun. Ang inaral ko ang dating yaya ko na magnanakaw.

Angel Guardian – With me, wala naman po ako na meet na tao na talagang criminal for this movie. Pero ginawa ko ang best ko na magawa ko ang character ko na pa-simple nagnanakaw. And with the help of our director and mga ka trabaho ko na sobrang, galing, nag tulong-tulong kami sa each taping day.

Kiray Celis – Ako naman, humingi ako ng tips sa mama ko. Kasi dating budol ang mama ko… pero joke lang yun. Pero wala naman ako hiningi ng advice or kinausap na magnanakaw. Kasi, madali lang naman mag nakaw kasi kukunin mo lang ang bagay. Basta po, ang mama ko talaga ang nagbigay ng tips sa akin kasi magaling siya sa mga mall. Ang mama ko talaga… hindi niya alam kung paano mag r-react.

Lou Veloso – Ako naman, naka-interview ng criminal. Pero hindi magnanakaw, kundi rapist.

2. Can you share with us funny moments you had during the filming of this movie?

Lou Veloso – Ako naman, nung nag s-shoot kami sa Aurora Blvd… kasi yung scene ay nasa kabilang kalye. So, nandun ako naman sa kabilang kalye. Tapos may tao na nagnakaw siya. So, ang nakakatawa, habang nakatayo ako, may biglang lumapit sa akin na isang lalaki at binigyan ako limang piso. Akala niya lumpo ako!

Kiray Celis – Ako po, yung eksena na sobrang sama nang pakiramdam ko at sobrang lakas talaga ng sipon ko at meron scene na kailangan takpan ni Ms. Ai-Ai ang mouth ko. Yung ilong kung tinatakpan niya! At tumutulo ang sipon ko. Tapos nakalagay talaga sa dubbing: “Yung sipon ko nahuhulog!”. Sabi ko dun. Hindi naman siya mahalaga !

Angel Guardian – Actually, ang saya po ng taping namin. Every taping, ang sarap nila kasama. Ang dami funny moments. Pero natatawa ako dun nung nasa top ang character ni Tito Lou Veloso at may ilaw na nakatutok sa mukha niya. Tapos, parang may flashlight sa mukha niya. Funny siya.

Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas – Ako naman, may eksena dun na magnanakaw kami sa pawnshop. Kailangan usukan para hindi kami makita sa CCTV. Eh, ito si Lou, hindi niya alam na may butas sa tabla… kaya pala hindi siya kumikilos at nakita ko na lang siya na nasa ilalim na siya at hindi na namin siya makita at nandun paa niya at hindi na siya maka galaw. Ay! Ayun tuloy, na pa take two. Kasi tawa ng tawa ako kasi hindi ko naman siya nakita. Haaay, naku ! So, ayun nakakatawa kahit hindi nakakatawa sa inyo. Pero para sa amin nakakatawa talaga. Mahirap ipaliwanag kasi wala kayo sa eksena.

Kisses Delavin – Ako din po, siguro yung kay Lolo Lou, na meron siyang iniinom at hindi po tubig yun… gin. Tapos, tinapon na lang niya, ganyan, sa tabla. Tapos, sinabi niya po, “Para sa demonyo.” Natawa po ako.

Tapos po, natawa din ako nung sumakay ako sa jeep. Wala po… kasi nakakatawa lang sumakay sa jeep at masaya.

McCoy De Leon – Sa akin naman po, yung meron ako mga eksena na bigla na lang ako sasagot. Palagi meron ako ganun na bato, na out of nowhere, na bigla na lang ako sasagot. Lalo na kung kay Ms. Ai-Ai yung bato ko. Kaya sabi sa akin ni Ms. Ai-Ai: “Alam mo, yung character mo dito, pa-epal! Tapos, sabi niya, sa akin, “Tawag ko na lang sayo Epal!” Hanggang ngayon, “Epal” tawag niya sa akin. Kaya, ayun ang pinaka tumaktak sa akin na nakakatawa.