Ai-Ai reveals the reason behind her exit from ABS-CBN
Ai-Ai Delas Alas has finally broken her silence through Facebook to address the backlash she received following her “It’s Showtime” guesting.
Together with Christopher De Leon, the veteran comedian graced the March 2, 2024 episode of “It’s Showtime” to promote “The Kings and Ai”— their concert with Gabby Concepcion.
What came as a usual television appearance was then met with online criticism, with some netizens calling out Ai-Ai’s “lack” of loyalty to ABS-CBN.
In 2015, Ai-Ai returned to GMA-7 after being with ABS-CBN for 14 years.
IMAGE: msaiaidelasalas on Instagram
Weeks later, on March 19, 2024, Ai-Ai took to Facebook her sentiments about the bashing, as she outrightly insists that the bashers owe her an apology.
Her post reads (published as is), “Real Talk… mga bashers mag SORRY kayo sakin!!!! [laughing emoji] … and hindi naman ako makakapag guest sa Showtime kung hindi yun GMA Network … gets?”
In the video attached to it, Ai-Ai said that bashers did not know she left ABS-CBN because her contract was not renewed, contrary to what they were saying that she did not have loyalty.
As she puts it, “So, ngayon ko lang po sasabihin o yun pong hindi nakakaalam, na kaya ako bina-bash kasi wala daw po akong loyalty.
“Hindi po totoo yan. Kasi po, kaya wala na po ako sa ABS dati, kasi po hindi ako ni-renew. Last na po yun ang kontrata ko. Hindi na po nila ako binigyan ng renewal. So, hindi po talaga ako umalis.”
IMAGE: msaiaidelasalas on Instagram
Ai-Ai initially reveals in the video that she was encouraged by her friends to speak up.
Ai-Ai shares, “Alam niyo ba, kaya ako chichika ngayon kasi yung mga friends ko, na yung dati kong mga fans na ngayon naging barkada ko na, sabi nila sa akin, super sakit na sakit sila.
“Kasi, hindi ko naman din alam na nung nag-guest pala ako sa ‘It’s Showtime,’ na-bash ako. Parang sa akin, ako naman, tuwang-tuwa pa nga ako kasi nakapag-guest ako sa ‘Showtime.’”
With all things considered, Ai-Ai is still happy to welcome “It’s Showtime” to the Kapuso network following the announcement that the program will start airing on April 6 on GMA-7’s noontime slot.
READ ALSO: “It’s Showtime” To Air On GMA-7 Noontime Block After “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” Cancellation
Why did Ai-Ai Delas Alas leave ABS-CBN?
In the same video, Ai-Ai shares that she was left without a choice when ABS-CBN did not renew her contract.
Putting emphasis on her status as a breadwinner of the family, she says, “Kumbaga, nung time na nga po na yun, parang nangarag ako kasi parang feeling ko, ‘Naku, Lord, paano na kami ng pamilya ko? Wala kaming trabaho.’”
She adds, “So, talagang tulaley akey.”
Just when she thought all hope was lost, Ai-Ai recalls being visited by her friend who later bought her home in Ayala.
Ai-Ai shares, “God is so good talaga. Nung panahon na wala na nga ako sa ABS dahil hindi ako ni-renew, pumunta yung kapitbahay namin sa amin. Tinitingnan yung bahay namin sa Ayala.
“Kaya ako po, nabenta yung bahay namin sa Ayala kasi parang, e, yun yung paraan ni Lord na, ‘O, eto, kahit wala kang trabaho, ayan. May pera kayo ng pamilya niyo.’”
Ai-Ai marked her return to the Kapuso Network by bannering the series “Let The Love Begin.” She also appeared as a judge for the original GMA-7 singing competition, “The Clash.”
Banner Art Paulo Correa
