Owie Boy's Coolit Stories: Ang Tanging Ina Mo Last Na To

Backtrack.

Two years ago, on Valentine's Day, I, my Lola and my Tito Ray went to Manila Hotel to watch a concert. I heard the concert was called "Eye Eye". What? I'm not sure I heard it right. Who cares? But then, I was really curious.

Lola Nita and Tito Ray after the Concert at the Manila Hotel.

I was three years old and I did'nt know who Aiai delas Alas was. The venue was nice and huge and it was like my Valentine date was my Lola. A few minutes after we arrived, the show started with a nice song number of a lady, who does not sing like Charice, but was really funny that I keep on laughing and laughing. I thought I can only get so interested to watch High School Musical or Phoenis and Ferb in concert, but this lady is REALLY funny. I got so excited that I grabbed a small balloon and ran to the stage to give it to her in awe. To my surprise, she looked at me, reached out her hand, got the balloon and said, "thank you, you're so sweet". I returned back to my seat and watched her do her comic. In the middle of the show, while she was talking to the audience, she went down the stage and went to where our table was. She went beside me and said over the microphone "What's your name Little Boy? " I said, "Owie Boy (with a smile)". Then she said "Do you know how to speak in Mandarin?" I said "Yah". And then she said "Okay, let's see, Ni Hao Ma? " (how are you) And I answered, "Wo Hen Hao" (im good). Then, we exchange more than a couple of Mandarin praises. To our delight, that conversation entertained the audience. She then said, "You made my day Owie Boy! :) " Then she left our table and went back onstage.

I didn't know her name then, but one magical thing happened to me. For the first time, I have loved the feeling of the audience laughing and wooing in awe as they watched my conversation with her. That night, I wished to be like her- a performer, and also an actor. Nah, that was impossible.

And um, its not "Eye Eye" pala. Her name was Aiai delas Alas :)

Being in the movie.

Who would ever imagine that my first movie as an actor 2 years after that was with Aiai delas Alas? The first movie where I have appeared was Rosario, but the first movie where I was granted a role as a contract star (really an actor na, huh) was "Ang Tanging Ina Mo Last Na To". I played Oogie, Ina Montecillo's (Aiai delas Alas) grandson from Niki Valdez.

Tita Aiai delas Alas and I during the shoot of Ang Tanging Ina Mo Last Na To.

Working with Tita Aiai was challenging. She was always on time, she was very into her role. She was very focused. That's why I was motivated to do the same thing. I was happy that I'm learning all these things so I can be a good actor too. There were good times as well as bad times. But I was glad that my family was always with me to explain things that I don't really understand because I'm only 5 years old.

My scene with Tita Aiai delas Alas in Ang Tanging Ina Mo Last Na To.

I admire Direk Wenn Deramas. He was very professional and very focused in his job. Maybe that 's why his films really make it big. When I look at him, I remember my Tito Ray. He was really like Tito Ray when at work. They were perfectionists.

I love Direk Ricky Rivero. He was so so nice. He is a hard worker. He makes sure I understood the scene, and if I forget my lines, he's always there to whisper my lines. He is so patient to me. He is really an excellent Direk for kids :)

Direk Ricky Rivero teaching me during the shoot. He was really such a nice guy.

It was a great experience being an actor. Being in Ang Tanging Ina Mo. It was like a part of my school. I love school. I love learning. I love being with kids and with my teachers. In Tanging Ina, the adults were my teachers - they showed me good things (that's what I need to learn) and few bad things :) (that's what I need not do) and the kids like Xyriel Manabat became my playmates off shoot :) .