The long wait is over. Philippine Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas returns to her home network as she signed an exclusive contract with GMA Network today, April 16.
Present during the contract signing were GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; GMA Entertainment TV's Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable; GMA Vice President for Entertainment TV Marivin T. Arayata; GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno; and GMA Vice President for Corporate Communications Angela Javier Cruz.
Ai-Ai started her showbiz career in GMA 7 as one of the hosts of the noontime shows, Lunch Date and Salo-Salo Together. She even became more popular as Cheenie La Chika in her show, R.S.V.P. And after 14 years, she is back in her home network.
“I have returned... Ngayon po ay babalik na ako sa totoo kong bahay…Ang GMA, hindi ako kinalimutan…Maraming maraming salamat po sa mainit ninyong pagtanggap sa akin.”
The multitalented actress/comedienne/TV host became emotional when the network executives delivered their welcome remarks.
Atty. Gozon not only expressed his excitement on Ai-Ai’s homecoming, but he also admitted that she is one of his favorite TV personalities, “Masaya akong nagbalik si Ai-Ai sa kanyang pinanggalingan. Hindi ko nakakalimutang Kapuso natin si Ai Ai. Medyo nagbakasyon lang siya at nagpunta sa ibang istasyon. Pero higit sa lahat, kaya ako natutuwa, hindi lamang magaling na comedienne si Ai-Ai, magaling na artista at saka talagang professional, well, sasabihin ko na rin, si Ai-Ai ay paborito kong personal.”
Mr. Duavit, in turn, revealed that the whole Kapuso Network family is very excited with her comeback, “Noong ako ay paakyat sa elevator at nagmamadali, tinanong sa akin kung sa 17th Floor ako pupunta, may balita raw na may signing. Noong nalaman na si Ai-Ai ay darating para i-formalize ang kanyang pagbalik, ay nagpalakpakan sa elevator. Talagang lahat ng mga Kapuso, natutuwa. Ai-Ai, kaming lahat ay bukod sa nagagalak, ay nasisiyahan sa iyong pagbalik and we look forward with great anticipation to working with you again. You make us all proud to be a Kapuso.”
Meanwhile, Rasonable said that she is grateful to Ai-Ai for trusting GMA and she hopes for more productive years with her as a Kapuso, “Galak na galak kami na ngayong nagbalik siya kung saan siya nagsimula. Si Cheenie La Chicka, tandang-tanda ko ang character niya na hanggang ngayon ay memorable pa rin sa atin na nagtrabaho din sa GMA and we are very very excited and looking forward na hindi ka lang maging ka-trabaho, kundi maging masaya ang pagsasama natin in the next years.”
Aside from the other shows being lined up for Ai-Ai, her initial project in GMA is the upcoming primetime series Let The Love Begin which is slated to air this May.