Film icon and former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada is set to conquer the silver screen once again, this time with Comedy Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas in Star Cinema’s next offering Ang Tanging Pamilya. Erap and Ai met up for the photo shoot for the movie, and the former leader of the country expressed how happy he is to be working with the top-notch comedienne. “Tinatawag ko siyang Mams, hahaha! Close na talaga kami. Malaking bagay para sa akin na maka-partner ang number one Comedy Queen of our generation. Napakabait ni Ai-Ai. She’s a wonderful woman to work with. Very professional, walang pagkukunwari, ika nga sa showbiz ngayon, hindi plastic.”

Erap also said that Ang Tanging Pamilya, his first film in more than 20 years, is their treat for all the victims of the recent Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. He hopes that by watching this family comedy, those who lost so much because of the calamity can still have a good time. “Sana ito ang magpasaya sa ating mga kababayan na nalulungkot ngayon dahil sa kalamidad na nangyari. Mahirap ang buhay natin ngayon, pero sana kapag napanood niyo itong pelikula namin e makalimutan niyo kahit sandali ang lahat ng problema.”

A renowned film actor-producer since the ‘50s, Erap was elected to the highest seat in the Philippine government in 1998, which people thought signified his retirement from showbiz. But “Mr. Asiong Salonga” could not be happier to be back to making movies, which he had missed so much. “Na-miss ko talaga ang gumawa ng pelikula. More than 20 years ago na ‘yung huli kong movie. Maswerte ako dahil sa comeback movie ko ang leading lady ko e ang nag-iisang Comedy Queen. Napakagandang pelikula nito. Sa simula pa lang matatawa na ang mga manonood. Hanggang sa huli tatawa sila nang tatawa dahil napakagaling ni Ai-ai.”

Although he confessed he enjoyed shooting Ang Tanging Pamilya, Erap would rather not commit to the idea that his movie comeback is just the beginning. “Well I cannot promise anything. Pero kapag may time ako bakit naman hindi [ako gagawa ng pelikula]. Matagal din akong nawala sa pelikula. Lalo na sa panahon ngayon na dahil sa bagyong Ondoy e marami tayong mga kababayan na may problema. Kung ano ang magagawa ko para makatulong o mapasaya man lang sila okay naman sa akin.”

The 72-year-old actor admitted that although he has enjoyed a successful career that has spanned four decades, being in public service is still what gives him the ultimate fulfillment. “Sa showbiz na-enjoy ko naman ‘yung popularity, awards, ‘yung bayad syempre. Pero sa public service kasi ikaw ‘yung nagbibigay sa ibang tao. Sila ang pinagtutunan mo ng panahon mo. Magkaibang mundo sila pero ibang saya kasi ‘yung naibibigay sa akin ng pagtulong sa kapwa. ‘Yun ang hindi mababayaran ng pera.”

Catch Erap and Ai-Ai in Ang Tanging Pamilya premiering this November.

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