Ai-Ai delas Alas says ‘Ang Tanging Ina’ is her miracle Screengrab Photo: ABS-CBN Star Cinema/YouTube
Ai-Ai delas Alas said that she considers “Ang Tanging Ina” her own “miracle” story as it was the movie that rode her to stardom.
During a guest appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the Queen of Comedy recalled that she prayed hard for the movie to be a “blockbuster.”
“Syempre ito ‘yung launching film ko. Parati ako nagpapray sa Baclaran, ‘Mama Mary, sana po kumita. Sana po maging blockbuster ‘yung pelikula,’” she shared.
(Of course this is my launching film. I always pray in Baclaran, ‘Mama Mary, I hope the film will make money. I hope the movie will be a blockbuster)
However, Delas Alas said that during the first day of the film showing, there was a level 3 storm that made her think no one would come watch the film, which led her to doubt herself.
“Sabi ko, ‘Siguro hindi talaga ako pang-bida. Siguro may ibang plano si Lord sakin,’ Pero ang ginawa pala ni Lord, lahat ng tao pinalabas niya. Biglang ‘yung mga tao nagpunta sa mall, nanood ng ‘Tanging Ina,’” she tearfully said.
(I said, ‘Maybe I’m not really meant to be a star. Maybe the Lord has a different plan for me,’ But it turns out that the Lord did, he sent everyone out. Suddenly, the people went to the mall, watched ‘Tanging Ina’)
Given the success of the 2003 “Ang Tanging Ina,” three sequels followed suit: “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” (2008), “Ang Tanging Ina Mo” (Last na ‘To!) (2010), and “Enteng ng Ina Mo” (2011), as well as a television series spin-off.
Upon its release, the film became the highest grossing Filipino film until it was surpassed by Kris Aquino’s “Sukob” in 2006.
Another miracle
Aside from her film, Delas Alas also said that her husband of almost 10 years, Gerald Sibayan, is also one of her miracles. She shared that she is currently based in California, United States, and her husband has been providing for her.
“Naniniwala ako na ang mabuting asawa bigay ng Panginoon talaga. Isa pa, provider [siya]. Hindi nila alam. ‘Naku, si Ai-Ai lang bubuhay jan,’ Hindi po. Sa Amerika po, siya ang bumubuhay sakin,” she said.
(I believe that a good husband is a gift from the Lord. Also, he is a provider . They do not know that. ‘Oh, only Ai-Ai will provide for him,’ Nope. He is the one who provides for me in America)