Why Ai-Ai delas Alas considers rap group Outcast as her ‘sons’

Ai-Ai delas Alas (center) with newbie rap group Outcast. Image: Courtesy of Outcast

Ai-Ai delas Alas couldn’t help but get emotional when asked to recall a moment when the Cavite-based rap group Outcast, who collaborated with the actress-comedienne in the song “WKMM,” treated her like their own mother.

Consisting of Reniel Depositor Aras, Alexander Cardinal, RM Flores, Jhonwayne Layson, Neil Edrianne Soliva, and Karl Gabriel Vadillo, Outcast is a street-based rap group hailing from Cavite to produce purpose-based hip-hop that goes beyond the underground scene.

But delas Alas clarified that her relationship with Outcast is not in a managerial role, compared to the rap group Ex Batallion. Noting that Outcast approached her, she is helping them have a bigger platform and improve themselves as they continue with their careers.

“Marami akong natutunan noong nag-manage ako. First time ko naman talaga noon sa Ex Battalion. Hindi talaga ako marunong mag-manage. Ang kaibahan, ang Outcast ang lumapit sa akin,” she told reporters in a Zoom media conference.

“Tsaka hindi naman ako ang nagma-manage sa Outcast, tumutulong lang ako. May manager sila. ‘Yung sa akin, tulong lang dahil maganda ang kanilang adhikain sa buhay,” she further explained.

(I learned a lot when I managed an artist. It was my first time with Ex Batallion. I didn’t really know how to be a manager at the time. What makes it different is that Outcast was the one who approached me. And I’m not Outcast’s manager. I’m just helping them. They have a manager. In my case, I want to help them because I admire their goal in life.)

On ‘WKMM’

Outcast’s new song “WKMM (Wag Kang Mag-alala Mama),” is meant to be a tribute to parents and parental figures. With this in mind, delas Alas teared up when asked how much the song meant to her.

“Noong una kong narinig ang kanta nila, naluha ako. Nakilala ko sila isa’t isa — lalo na si Neil kasi wala na siyang Mommy and Daddy — so naiiyak ako kapag [tinatawag nila akong] Mama. Iniisip ko na isa ito sa purpose ko kung bakit nandyan sila at nakilala ko sila,” she said.

(I teared up when I first heard the song. I started getting to know them better — especially Neil whose Mommy and Daddy are gone — so I get emotional when they address me as Mama. Now that I met them, I think of it as one of my purposes in life.)

The actress-comedienne also said the song is a reminder to treat their parents with respect. “Lumalabas sa social media na walang utang na loob ang mga anak sa mga magulang nila dahil hindi naman nila ginusto na ipanganak sila.”

“Oo, hindi mo utang na loob,” she continued. “Pero kailangang mahalin niyo ang inyong mga magulang, lalo na ang mga ina na nagsilang sa inyo… kaya kayo nandito sa mundo, dahil sa mga magulang ninyo.”

(We see children who have no debt of gratitude toward their parents because according to them, it wasn’t their choice to be born. Yes, it’s not their choice. But you have to love your parents because they brought you into the world. You’re here because of your parents.)

Outcast’s ‘motherly’ relationship with Ai-Ai

When asked about their closeness with delas Alas, Layson shared that his most unforgettable experience with the actress-comedienne is the making of “WKMM’s” music video.

“Na-feel po namin siya as mama. Hindi niya pina-feel na iba kaming tao,” Layson said of the “Tanging Ina” star, lovingly referring to her as “Mama Ai.”

“Since nasa mainstream si Mama Ai at nasa underground kami, ang tingin niya sa mga underground ay di basta-basta. Diyamante ang tingin namin sa kanya. Dinama namin [ang paggawa ng] music video kasi first time po namin maranasang magkaroon ng gan’ung kasama,” he continued.

(She was like a mother to us. She never made us feel like we were someone else. Since Mama Ai is in the mainstream, she never thought lowly of the underground scene. We, on the other hand, saw her as a gem. We made the most out of our experience while creating the music video because it’s our first time to work with someone like that.)

This led to Soliva reiterating the importance of honoring one’s parents while briefly touching on the death of his mother and father. “Based on my experience, dapat sobrang pahalagahan ang mga magulang habang nandyan pa [sila].”

“Kapag dumating sa point na mawawala sila, doon niyo po mare-realize ang halaga at value nila,” he continued. “Tulad ko po, sana maranasan sana na makita nila ako, kaso wala na po. Sana sa mga kabataan na nandyan pa ang mga magulang, sulitin ang bawat oras na kasama nila.”

(Based on my experience, it’s important to honor your parents while they’re still alive. When they are gone, that’s when you realize their importance and worth. In my case, I hope they would see where I am now but they’re gone. I hope the youth would cherish the time with their parents while they’re still here.)