Make a wish, Maine. The birthday girl with Pia Guanio-Mago, Alden carrying Maine’s nephew, Matti, Wally Bayola in Lola Nidora outfit and Dean Mendoza.
ALDEN Richards and the rest of “Eat Bulaga’s” Dabarkads pulled out all the stops to give Maine Mendoza a birthday celebration she will not forget in yesterday’s episode of the country’s longest-running noontime show.
The celebration featured dance presentations from some of Maine’s fan clubs, a dance number by Lolas Nidora (Wally Bayola), Tinidora (Jose Manalo) and Tidora (Paolo Ballesteros), grandmothers of her Kalyeserye character, Divina or Yaya Dub.
The birthday girl, who turned 21 last March 3, also performed a dance number, played Elie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” on drums and danced with Alden, before the young actor handed her 5 gifts, one for each of the letters of her name: M—a St. Benedict Medallion to protect her from harm and sickness, A—(alaga or pets) a pair of lovebirds, I— an illustration (sketch) of their photo together, N—a notebook and E—a “for your Eyes only” gift placed inside a small box. Fans suspect it could be an engagement ring, especially after Alden said: “Pag ready ka na, ako magsusuot sa ‘yo nito.”
Alden Richards gives Maine Mendoza a tight hug.
Giving in to the cheers of the audience, Alden kissed Maine on the side of her lips, but the Lolas teased by saying they didn’t see anything. Maine then said that she’ll just kiss Alden on the cheek and just as she was about to do so, Alden moved his face towards her, leading to an “accidental” kiss on the lips.
It was then that Maine’s family appeared from the backstage to give their messages to Maine.
The first one to give a message was Maine’s father, Teodoro Mendoza: “Happy birthday, Maine. Wala na akong masasabi. Lahat nasabi na nila.
“Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa bumubuo ng Eat Bulaga na nagbigay ng break sa kanya, na-discover kung anuman meron siya at sa kasalukuyan ay ini-improve.”
Maine’s mom, Mary Ann greeted: “Congratulations, Alden!” then add jokingly: “Alden, I deserve an explanation!”
Maine Mendoza
“I’m giving you 24 hours to give me an explanation. Hindi kami na-orient dito,” Mrs. Mendoza said, referring to the kiss.
Her message for her daughter: Meng, happy birthday. Lagi mong tandaan, anumang mangyari, nandito kami sa tabi mo.
“We will be your number one supporter, maging mahirap man, masarap, maligaya, malungkot, narito pa rin kami sa inyo.”
Maine’s elder sister Nicolette reminded Maine to pray all the time, saying she was happy that her sister was living her dream.
Maine’s older brother Nico, for his part, said: “Bago ako bumati kay Maine, puwede munang maka-apir sa ‘yo, Alden? Galing mo, Alden!”
*Tweets for Eat Bulaga’s official hashtag for the episode #AldubMainEvent reached 2.72M as of 6 p.m.
