“AlDub” and Eat Bulaga’s “KalyeSerye”: Reel Love In The Time Of Social Media

It’s been on many TV screens back home in the Philippines during lunch time. And on even more TV screens of fellow Filipinos living elsewhere around the world. And on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and whatever other social media outlet you can think of. And boy, you’ve been probably hiding under a rock if you don’t know who the heck the “AlDub”/”MaiDen” love team is.

Enter Richard Faulkerson Jr., a.k.a. Alden Richards. He has been around for a while, and GMA, his home network, had been grooming him to become one of their resident “leading men” by honing his acting chops in soap opera after soap opera. He was also given a shot at hosting and performing live on the network’s now-defunct Sunday variety show, “Sunday All Stars.” Then, this year, the noontime TV institution that is “Eat Bulaga” also came calling, with what was initially just supposed to be a “guest host” stint.

Then, there’s Maine Mendoza. Her initial claim to fame? Those viral Dubsmash videos of her “lip-syncing” and doing impressions of TV host/actress/presidential sister/home network-proclaimed “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino. But next thing we knew, there she was, also taken in by “Eat Bulaga” to play the role of Yaya Dub (full name: Divina Ursula Bokbokova Smash…get it?), “girl Friday” to the haughty Lola Nidora, played by mainstay Wally Bayola in the show’s popular remote segment “Juan For All, All For Juan.”

What started out as a normal split-screen between “Eat Bulaga’s” Broadway Centrum studio and the “Juan For All” location became yet another segment-within-a-segment that had a life of its own. A few on-air jokes and teases from the EB hosts when both Alden and Yaya Dub were shown in that split-screen suddenly resulted into what is currently the most popular love team on Philippine television. But, if everything that has been happening until now on “Bulaga” is to be believed, Alden and Maine/Yaya Dub have not met each other face-to-face. Yet. And it has been only through the magic and technology of live TV that the two “get together.”

To put it simply, an on-screen romance and a storyline has developed–what the show has dubbed “KalyeSerye.” There’s Lola Nidora, her three bodyguards and all (“Rogelio, Rogelio, Rogelio!”), as the antagonist who seems to be pulling out all the stops to prevent Alden and Yaya Dub from ever seeing each other in person. But in truth, s/he actually believes that love is something that is worth earning and striving for, something that will indeed come “sa tamang panahon.” Which is why she has issued some actual challenges to Alden on-air (and yes, still part of the storyline). And which still leaves viewers (especially the growing throngs of “AlDub” fans) wondering: “Kailan ba ang ‘tamang panahon’ na ‘yan?”

Needless to say–and let’s face it–it has become yet another ratings windfall for Philippine television’s longest-running daily show. Also, using the “metrics” of this generation, the segment and the love team born out of it has become a regular trending topic on social media. On top of that, it has made fans even out of other celebs, TV news people, even politicians. But even more interesting is that, the focus of “KalyeSerye” is not even on the “Three Kings” of “Bulaga” (Tito, Vic and Joey) anymore. Which, I think, should be a bit refreshing especially for long-time viewers of the show.

Also, consider these: First, this became an even bigger “proving ground” for Alden. And he showed that he can roll with the rest of the “Dabarkads.” As for Maine/Yaya Dub, it’s this simple: A new star is born. The young girl who secretly dreamed of becoming an artista suddenly got tons and tons of fans–thus, a dream fulfilled. Oh, and let’s not forget Wally–the erstwhile “prodigal son” who was sidelined from “Bulaga” (and TV as a whole) for quite a while, because of a scandalous incident a couple of years ago. He got his second chance upon his return to the show, and did not just make the most out of it, but redeemed himself big time–especially now with his Lola Nidora character. Yes, there are second chances, but only for those who are willing to pick themselves up, try again, and make things right.

More importantly, it’s more than likely a testament to the amount of creativity and ideas the “Bulaga” people behind the scenes have. I mean, imagine being able to make something bigger out of something that began with just your usual “asaran” between talents–and being able to sustain that from Monday to Saturday, week in and week out. That must be one of the many reasons why the show is still on the air after 36 years.

I still couldn’t put a finger completely on how and why the love team became an almost-instant, huge hit for “Bulaga.” Must be, among other things, the Pinoy’s penchant for romance. At ‘yung pagiging senti natin. It has made tons of rom-com and romance-drama movies (especially the locally-made ones) click through the years, right? Maybe, a lot of us could relate to how circumstances often beyond our control keep us away from someone we love, as in the basic premise of the “KalyeSerye.” Or how about the many fans who, deep in their hearts, wish that the reel romance becomes real? By the way, such is the question lately, with Alden sometimes referring to his love interest by her real name, Maine–not in character as Yaya Dub–in those “fan signs” he would show to the cameras.

Perhaps, ultimately, it is a reminder for all of us–especially the hopeless romantics–that real love is always worth fighting and braving the challenges for. Tama rin pala si Lola, after all, in spite of his/her seeming cruelty towards Alden. True love wins, as I’ve always loved to say lately. And whether or not that would also hold true for the two lunchtime lovebirds…well…of course, we will, and should find out.

Sa tamang panahon, siyempre.