AiAi Delas Alas (Facebook)

Comedy queen AiAi Delas Alas has officially wrapped up on the set of the movie "Litrato" under 3:16 Media Network where she plays an elderly with worsening dementia while confined in a healthcare facility.

Following the shoot for the movie, AiAi flew to San Francisco for a much-needed rest. Appearing via Zoom recently, the award-winning actress expressed disappointment that she won't be able to promote the movie when it opens in local cinemas on July 26.

"Nagkasakit na ako ng konti dahil parang nabugbog na yung katawan ko sa jet lag at byahe. Parang 30 hours na ako nagba-byahe," said AiAi when asked about her return to the country to promote the film.

(I've gotten a little sick because my body feels like it's been beaten up from jet lag and the flight. It's like I've been traveling for 30 hours.)

AiAi, 58, appeared completely transformed in her portrayal of an elderly. When asked about how well she depicted her character in the movie, she replied: "Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam paano naging ganun. Pinagdasal ko yan. Sabi ko Lord tulungan mo ako. Sa tulong ni direk, makikita naman niya kung tama ba or okay ba ang acting ko."

(Honestly, I don't know how it happened. I prayed about it. I said Lord help me. With the help of the director, he will see if my acting is right or okay.)

"Pero meron dun sa facility, kung paano siya umiyak, ganun din ako umiyak. Bawal kasi sabihin ang pangalan. Tuwing may video call sila ng kumare niya, doon ko siya nakikita. Ako kasi ang taga-hawak ng video call. So talagang nakikita ko kung paano siya umiyak," she added.

(But there's somebody in the facility, the way she cried, I cried the same thing. I'm not allowed to say her name, but whenever she gets a video call from her friends, I see her there. I'm the one holding the video call. So I can really see how she cried.)

The cast and crew of the movie praised AiAi for her superb acting in the movie, saying that she deserves to win an award.

"Ang masasabi ko rito is ang galing-galing rito ni AiAi. Magkakaroon ka na rito ng Urian best actress," said Ara Mina, who plays the role of AiAi's daughter. (What I can say is that AiAi is great here. You will have Urian's best actress here.)

AiAi answered: "Sister, thank you. Pero hayaan mo na kung ano man ang mangyari. Kung meron salamat. Kung wala eh ganun talaga. Sa Oscar Awards nga di ba? Ang tagal-tagal baka magkaroon ng award si ganito o si ganyan. Hintay-hintay lang."

(We'll see. If I win an award, thank you. If not, it's okay. At the Oscars, sometimes it takes time before they win an award. Let's just wait.)

"We'll never know pero pang Urian talaga ang acting niya dito. Tinitignan ko pa lang si AiAi rito naiiyak na ako. Kasi matanda na ang mom ko she's 79. Hindi pa naman ganun ka old ang mom ko pero I imagine what if kung sobrang old na siya? I'm happy that she's still healthy. Bata pa rin talaga ang tingin ko sa mom ko eh. First time lang namin magwork ni AiAi together and thank you na napasama ako rito," Ara added.

(We'll never know but her acting here is really for Urian. Just looking at AiAi here I'm crying. Because my mom is old, she's 79. My mom doesn't really look old but I imagine what if she's too old? I'm happy that she's still healthy. I still think my mom is really young. It's only the first time that AiAi and I worked together and thank you for having me here.)

AiAi admitted that she already received recognition from major award-giving bodies in the country except for Urian Awards.

"Sana Urian kasi wala pa akong Urian. Sana nga para kumpleto na ako ng awards. Wala pa akong Urian. Yun na lang ang wala ako. Baka naman Urian?

(I hope I get an Urian award because I don't have an Urian yet. I hope I'll complete the awards. I don't have an Urian award yet. That's all I don't have. Maybe Urian?)

"Pero bahala na si God kung mananalo ako kasi hindi ko na ine-expect yun. Kung ano ang blessing na binigay ni Lord, tatanggapin ko," she added.

(But it's up to God if I win because I don't expect that anymore. Whatever blessing the Lord gives, I will accept it.)

Director Louie Ignacio said he calls AiAi his favorite best actress.

"Pag-ganitong mga konsepto, siya ang lagi kong nakikita. In fairness naman, hindi naman niya ako binibigo sa mga binibigay ko sa kanya. Sabi niya, gagalingan natin ito. Pagtutulungan natin ito. Sayang ang project," Louie said.

(When it comes to these concepts, I always see her. In fairness, she doesn't disappoint me with what I give her. She says, we will get better. We will work together. Let's not waste the project.)

AiAi Delas Alas and Gerald Sibayan (Facebook)

Len Carillo, the producer of the movie, said that there are plans for the movie to be shown outside the Philippines.

Louie added that "Litrato" may compete in various festivals abroad.

"May mga pinasok itong festivals. Sa ngayon wala pa pero pinagdarasal namin na makapasok ito sa mga festival. Sana," he said.

(It has been entered into festivals. So far we haven't received any news. But we are praying that it will be accepted into festivals. I hope.)

Quinn Carillo, also a screenwriter, said that she enjoyed her scenes with AiAi who's very supportive and caring on the set.

"Marami kaming eksena ni Ms AiAi. Halos buong movie nakasama ko po siya. Story conference pa lang na-starstruck na po ako kay Ms Ai. Noong bata pa ako napapanood ko lang sila. Now kasama ko na sila. Hindi po siya nakaka-pressure kasi like everyone, she's very supportive. Sobrang maalaga po siya at ramdam ko na hindi niya ako pinababayaan sa mga eksena," Quinn said.

(Ms. AiAi and I had many scenes. I was with her almost the entire movie. I was already starstruck by Ms. Ai at the story conference. When I was young I could only watch her. Now I am with her. She's very supportive. She's very caring on the set.)

Personal photos she likes, dislikes

Since the title of her movie relates to pictures, AiAi shared the personal photos she loves and dislikes.

"Noong may kaguluhan sa buhay namin, marami ako mga write-ups kasi iniipon-ipon ko. Tapos noon nagtapon na ako para hindi na mabasa ng mga anak ko yung mga hindi magagandang nangyari sa buhay ko noong araw. Para maganda yung makikita nila kahit na nagkagulo kami noong araw.

(When there was a crisis in our lives, I had a lot of write-ups because I was saving them up. Then I threw them away so that my children wouldn't read about the bad things that happened in my life. So that they would only see something good even though we messed up that day.)

"Yung mga picture ko na buntis ako, yun ang mga favorite ko kasi makikita mo yung bata na nasa loob ko. Tapos makikita mo, darating yung panahon na makikita mo wala na yung bata. Nagiging matanda na sila. Yun ang mga classic sa akin. Si Raymund Isaac yung unang nagpicture noong buntis ako. Rest in peace, Raymund," she said.

(The pictures of me when I was pregnant are my favorites because I was bearing a child. Those are classic (photos) for me. Raymund Isaac was the first photographer to take pictures when I was pregnant.)

Asked if she sees a long-term relationship with her husband Gerald Sibayan, AiAi said: "Palagay ko kami pa rin no Gerald hanggang maging lola na ako at sisiguraduhin ko na maganda pa rin ako."

(I think Gerald and I will still be together until I become a grandmother and I'll make sure I'm still beautiful.)