Melai: “Sobrang happy pero hindi natin i-bypass si Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas”
Melai Cantiveros says she is open to banner the “Ang Tanging Ina” remake but emphasizes that other veteran comedians have to be considered first before handing off the role to her.
In a press conference for her upcoming show “Kuan-on-One” on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the 36-year-old actress-host answered how she feels about the ongoing clamor for her to do the comedy film.
One reporter asked, “Nabasa ko sa [X], ang daming nagpu-push na ikaw daw ang mag-remake ng ‘Tanging Ina,’ anong masasabi mo?” As a response, Melai quipped, “Ay, siyempre, ‘Tanging Ina’ niyo rin,” which immediately brought people to laughter.
IMAGE: mrandmrsfrancisco on Instagram
On a more serious note, Melai elaborates that there has to be a rightful acknowledgement for Ai-Ai De las Alas who first bannered the film. More so, there are other comedians who she thinks are more fitting for the role.
“Kung i-offer sa ‘kin, why not? Sobrang happy pero hindi natin i-bypass si Ms. Ai-Ai Delas Alas kasi siya talaga ang ating ‘Queen of Comedy.’ Dami niyang napatunayan. Nandiyan pa si Ate [Pokwang], sina Eugene Domingo.”
Ai-Ai played Ina Montecillo in the 2003 blockbuster film “Ang Tanging Ina.” She reprised her role for the follow-up installments titled “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” in 2008 and “Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na ‘To)” in 2010.
All things considered, she says that it’s better to have her own comedy film—so as not to hurt anyone. When asked about the title, Melai jokingly says, “Kuan-ang Ina! Char, char lang ano. Char char lang, ‘Kuanizens.”
Melai Cantiveros on being dubbed the new Queen of Comedy
Melai says she feels shy about being labeled as the new Comedy Queen, for she feels she has not enough experience in the industry.
“Thank you so much sa mga nagsasabi. I love you all pero nahihiya ako sa nagsasabi. Sobra akong hiya sa sinabi na ganyan kasi siyempre di ko naman masabi na ano.
“Sobra akong happy, e. Hindi ako pwedeng hindi ma-happy kasi para ka namang sino. Pero sa akin, siyempre, ang dami ko pang dadaanan na mga butas bago ko pa makamit yung mga ganyan.”
IMAGE: mrandmrsfrancisco on Instagram
Melai is gearing up for her first online Bisayan talk show “Kuan on One,” which will air on ABS-CBN’s YouTube channel and iWantTFC every Tuesday starting July 2, 2024.
As for Melai, the online program will be a good avenue to highlight Visayan culture as well as minimize the gap between dialects—particularly between Bisaya and Tagalog.
She says, “Maraming mga Bisaya na grateful kasi kaming mga Bisaya, hindi maiwasan na mag-self pity kasi malayo kami sa central. Pero ngayon nung may ganito na show, parang, ‘Let our voice be heard,’ ganoon ang mga Bisaya, uy.
“Sobrang importante lalo na sa amin para mawala na yung separation [sa] mga Bisaya, mga Tagalog, para in one na tayo.
“Kasi marami na ring mga Bisaya, may mga radio stations na nga dito na Bisaya dito sa Manila, e. Very important na maging isang tao at talagang nagmamahalan tayo.”
The trailer has it that it will be a star-studded run—graced by some celebrities such as Kim Chiu, Maymay Entrata, Anji Salvacion, BINI members Aiah and Colet among other guests.
READ ALSO: How Did Melai Cantiveros React After Meeting Her Ultimate Crush Jericho Rosales
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