Alden Richards with his famous “pabebe wave” (CDN photo / Edd Buenaviaje)
IT’S HARD to keep a sunny disposition when you’re not feeling quite well, wheezing and all, even more coming straight from performing to an
estimated 15,000-strong crowd,
not to mention balancing a hectic schedule every day of the week (Monday to Saturday for “Eat Bulaga” and Sunday for “Sunday Pinasaya”). But Alden Richards is taking things
in stride—looking fine, cheery, and flashing his mega-watt smile.
Ever since he became the other half of the phenomenal AlDub love team (opposite Maine Mendoza a.k.a. Yaya Dub) on Philippine television, Alden—that’s Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr. in real life—turned into one of the most in-demand celebrities.
And now, he’s relishing in the success of his self-titled debut album, which made it to No. 10 in Billboard’s Top 10 World Albums.
Everything’s coming up roses for the 23-year-old actor and TV host who has been in the business six years now.
He’s proof that determination and gratitude will take
you places. Now several endorsements, movie projects, and another album are being lined up for him.
Indeed, this Kapuso heartthrob is hot, and everyone wants a piece of him. (NRG)
Did it sink in already —this fame you have right now?
I consider this as a blessing. I am trying to reach as much people… give them inspiration, value, positivity, and enjoyment.
How do you keep up with a very busy schedule?
It gets into me sometimes. Minsan iniisip ko… puwede ba na ang sakit magpa-schedule nalang sa akin? Ipapa-block off ko muna ang buong November… that’s how busy I am. Pero it doesn’t matter anymore when I see the smiles on people’s faces everytime we do the kalyeserye. Or in concerts like this. Nakakakilabot! I’ve been here in Cebu many times, but now… this is most unimaginable…more than magic! Hindi ko po ito ine-expect, iba po ang feeling.
Your last visit to Cebu was in July last year. What kind of reception were you expecting now?
Nakita ko na ‘yung mga tweets before getting here, parang 1 p.m. pa lang there was already a build-up of people sa venue and I told myself na this is
going to be a good show. I never imagined na ganun karami ang tao—even sa bubong ng bahay, sa sasakyan, behind the barricades
dito sa venue.
You’re doing a movie for the Metro Manila Film Festival. Tell us about it?
Yes po. It’s with Bossing (Vic Sotto), Miss Ai-Ai (delas Alas) and Maine. Dun sa movie, Maine will have speaking lines… she won’t be Yaya Dub. ‘Yun lang muna po ang puwede kong i-share as of the moment.
The other network’s MMFF movies have also included its popular love teams in the cast. Do you see this as a threat?
Well, kami po, when AlDub started, there was already a plan for us to be included in Bossing’s movie along with his production house and APT. We are not doing it to compete with anyone. We’re just enjoying the moment.
Last time you were here with Max Collins you talked about a film for Qatar. What happened to the project?
Maybe it’s going to happen, pero sa ngayon on pause muna ito.
How about the “Cain at Abel” project?
No more na. Sayang nga ‘eh.
What got you in “Eat Bulaga!”?
After “Ilustrado” I had four months na I wasn’t very visible on television, parang lull moment. So my management, GMA Artist Center, talked to TAPE. Kaso, TAPE cannot accommodate me because they don’t need hosts anymore… it’s the longest-running noontime show and solid na yung Dabarkads, hindi na nila kailangan ng additional. Fortunately, in God’s time, pumayag si TAPE to guest me for a month, before I left for the States to do a series of concerts for GMA Pinoy TV. This was in May this year.
So how is it to be part of the Dabarkads?
Ay naku, ang laki-laking pressure… coming in as a newbie… the thought of these guys having been together for so long … solid na ‘yung samahan ng Dabarkads. I had to adjust in terms of how they do the spiel, which is very spontaneous. Meron na silang rapport. Ako, I have to gauge myself, kung saan ako at ano ang pwesto ko. The good thing about the Dabarkads is they helped me a lot to be a better host. They give me advice during my free time. Hindi sila mahirap katrabaho, and maybe that’s the reason why their foundation is very solid. Walang contest inside the Dabarkads, eh. Every one is family.
Many say that your so-called affection for Maine looks more intense now. Totohanan na ba what you’re feeling towards her?
Well, I really can’t say yet. Who knows? Maybe after this Tamang Panahon, which is coming very soon, I would love
a chance to know Maine personally… talk to her, ask about her likes and dislikes, her favorite color, food and all that.
So what are you feeling?
Masarap ‘yung feeling. I’m very happy kasi po this started as a kilig-kilig ‘eh.
But you knew that she had a crush on you?
I didn’t po. The staff of “Eat Bulaga!” just asked me to sit and watch “Juan for All” in the studio, and sabi ko po, sige. It was
on my second month sa show. So there, pumasok si Lola, tapos si Maine to do her dubsmash, and then pinitik ‘yung camera sa akin while I was watching and then na-distract daw siya… her emotion was very genuine. I guess, that started it all.
Blessings are coming in. After McDonald’s, how many more endorsements are being lined up for you?
So far po there are lima, but I can’t say yet.
The first time you met the Cebu press was in 2011 and it was your first plane ride. That was quite a trip for you, we think.
It was my first mall show and I will never forget it. I was with Louise Delos Reyes and Paulo Avelino and dun sa flight ng Philippine Airlines parang overbooked ‘yung economy class so we were upgraded, kami ni Louise to business class. My first mall show was here and nakakatuwa because my first Kapuso Fans Day was also here in Cebu. Ang dami kong firsts na dito nangyari.
Do you have apprehensions being typecast as part of a love team—in this case, with Maine?
No, I am good with it kasi I am very happy with everything that’s happening, and we’re getting good feedback from people—all of you who have been supporting the kalyeserye .
You and Maine don’t communicate even through text?
Seriously. For now, we don’t. Weird nga eh, kasi ang first namin na meeting at pag-uusap was on-camera at walang nangyari off-cam.
Why?
It’s not na hindi puwede. I think it’s how we maintain the magic of the kalyeserye. No one has forbidden us—actually the creative heads of Eat Bulaga! said “kung gusto mong i-text, i-text mo. Kung gusto mong i-message, i-message mo.” But come to think of it, parang ang sarap rin na the only chance you get to see her is through the screen and we only talk through fan signs. And do we get surprised! I mean, we surprise each other. Because I think lahat ‘yun mawawala if mag-uusap kami off-cam at kilala ko na siya. Ang mangyayari, parang magiging acting na. So what’s happening in the kalyeserye right now is all-natural.
What can the fans expect from you?
Well, the MMFF, the kalyeserye, “Sunday Pinasaya,” and there’s an upcoming soap na hopefully this year or early next year. Right now, I am just busy finishing the movie, shooting TVCs, tapos on the ninth we are going to Japan with Ms. AiAi delas Alas and Aicell Santos to do a GMA Pinoy TV show as well as the
album launch.
Do you still have time for friends and family?
I make time. I don’t want to deprive myself especially with regard to family. We’d go to church every Sunday—especially if wala akong episode
for “Sunday Pinasaya” or if the episode is taped. Kaya lang, for the past three months, medyo wala eh, so I see to it that I talk to them regularly through phone, or we’d talk sa sala in the morning. Just to catch up lang because I don’t want to miss out. With the schedule that I have that’s very demanding, even time for myself I hardly have. But I am not complaining kasi I am enjoying it. And it’s what I have been praying for since I started in show business.
Is fame everything you expected it to be?
No. And I don’t even consider this as fame. I would rather think of as a blessing, that I’m an instrument to inspire people.
A network or a talent management would carve a career plan for its talents. If you had your way, what direction will you take?
With what’s going now kasi it’s like this thing has a life of its own. As much as possible I would just like to enjoy the moment kung saan man mapunta itong kalyeserye. Siguro after this, I really don’t know yet. Minsan, the more you anticipate things to happen, hindi natutupad. So everything that’s happening now is based on prayers. I pray for it to happen… Lord, wherever You want to take me, I will just go if it’s Your will.
Do Tito, Vic and Joey give you advice?
They are very supportive po. Ever since I started, they said na enjoy-in ko lang, relax lang and take it easy kasi masarap i-enjoy ang mga bagay na pinaghihirapan. We just started a couple of months ago and marami-rami na rin ang nangyari… We’re just happy and grateful for the graces coming our way.
Do you find it ironic that you tried to do your best in acting projects like “Ilustrado” and “The Road” but this what gave you the biggest break?
Well, papasok pa rin yung right timing. Maybe because when I was doing those projects parang there was a lot of things to be done, or people were still looking for something in me.
When this happened, what was your dad’s reaction? How is your family taking this so far?
He was so happy. Kung ako mas gulat, mas gulat na gulat sila. They can’t explain it. Actually, seeing it on a larger perspective, no one can really explain what really happened. I am trying to analyze every single detail of the situation when it started na parang instantly, it changed the lives of Maine and I—360 degrees! The good thing about it is that every one behind us is very happy, very appreciative, and proud. And talagang the support we get from the people here in the Philippines and around the world is unexplainable. So surreal!
What’s your worst encounter with a fan?
Konting physical injury, a kalmot in the face most of the time, and kurot. Sometimes it can’t be helped and we have to understand. We can’t blame them because they just get excited. Buti nga may kumukurot eh kesa wala.
What’s your daily routine like?
I would wake up at 5 a.m. and get ready for the gym. I would leave the house around 7, be at the gym by 7:30 and I would work out for at least two hours and then go straight to Broadway Centrum for the kalyeserye. Since last month I go out of town and do shows like this one or sometimes do TVC shoots or print-ad shoots, or guestings. Pag hindi naman busy, after “Eat Bulaga!” I would go straight home and spend time with my family.
Are you still kuripot?
I still am. (Smiles)
What is your biggest splurge?
I am having my own house built. It’s an investment po for the family. Pero as luho, for myself, I don’t get satisfaction with material things. I’d rather give it to someone who needs it most.
You’re a very good natured guy. What pisses you off?
I’ve said this before—‘yung inconsistencies sometimes with the people I work with minsan. I don’t really get angry quickly. Mahaba ang pasensya ko at hindi ako mabilis magalit. But sometimes, siyempre, lalo na pag sobrang pagod, pwedeng mag snap. And then I choose not to talk. I never make decisions when I am in an emotional state—when I am super happy or when I am sad. I quiet down especially if negative emotions ang tumatakbo. I go to a corner… pag alam ko na ang gagawin that’s when I deal with it. Kasi pag may sinabi ka, you might regret it after.
Do you recommend showbiz as a career to your siblings?
I don’t encourage them to do it based on my experience. Kasi if hindi matibay ‘yung dibdib mo at ‘yung puso mo, kaya kang kainin ng
industriya. Kaya I’d rather have my siblings take on a different profession rather than be actors or actresses.
Are you a strict older brother?
Yes. I have two young sisters… so medyo.
What characteristics do you look for in a girlfriend?
Well, she has to be understanding. And sense of humor counts in a relationship. Of course, you have to be attracted to the person physically —well, that’s the first thing. Hindi mo naman sabihin agad sa first meeting na mabait ‘yan. Pero dapat she has to be mabait.
So far, do you see these attributes in Maine?
Yes.
You and your late mom were very close. Do you think she would like Maine to be your girlfriend?
I’m very sure. Ano pa kasing hinihintay? Si Lola kasi …
What’s the downside to being popular?
Maybe the fatigue and aches that come with it, pero madali naman to treat them. You just take meds, vitamins, and catch up on rest. ‘Yung physical exhaustion nawawala when you see the people happy. Nawawala ‘yung sakit at napapalitan ng saya, kahit puyat… At the end of the day, you feel good knowing that you made a lot of people happy. That’s it—that’s my goal.
