Blissful Sunday with Alden

Sorry that it took me almost 2 months to fulfil my promise of coming up with this article. Nevertheless, here it is. Enjoy.:-)

Labeled as one of Yes Magazine’s Most Beautiful Faces of 2016, Alden Richards has become a household name. From being the main host of Eat Bulaga’s segment "That’s My Bae" to being the other half of Maine Mendoza in the hit loveteam AlDub – Alden has won the hearts of Filipinos not just because of his mestizo good looks and charming smile, but most importantly his genuine heart and affection for his family.

I spent one Sunday with Alden – who usually wakes up around 7:00 a.m. with these usual routine: prayer; check his mobile phone; “rolls over” his bed; takes a bath and once he is ready, he gets out of his room. Once he is in the dining room, he just grabs whatever is on the table then leaves his house. "Hindi ako nagde-demand ng food Kuya Phil. Kung ano ang nasa table, okay lang sa akin."

He also consider Sundays as “family day” even without him joining his family because he works even on Sundays. Alden sees to it that his family members bond with one another, like attending mass together. Even his grandparents manage to go out with his family (even if his grandfather already uses a wheelchair).

Certified “Lolo and Lola’s boy".

When Alden’s aunt and cousin left for the States and Japan, he lived with his grandparents in San Andres, Bukid. Back when he was still living in Laguna, Alden considered himself laidback, childish, careless, a little bit misguided and sobrang probinsyano. He did not conform to vices, not even drugs but he kind of felt that he was not guided properly when he was still in Laguna.

He felt that he changed a lot when he lived with his grandparents. Even if he felt pressured of his new environment, he realized that he became more mature. “Nakaka-pressure na makisabay sa mga taga Manila. That’s what I thought of it. Kapag di ka nakasabay, parang kawawa ka”, added Alden.

Alden became closer to his grandparents because he admired their wisdom, the pieces of advice they have inculcated in him were advanced, more necessary, more mature and more practical. He said he had carried with him the lessons they have imparted.

Alden as a student.

Alden studied in a private school in Laguna and was transferred to Paco Catholic School when he lived with his grandparents. During his one year of stay in Paco Catholic School, he became more focused. He changed his previous characteristics to fit in his new environment. After one year in Manila, Alden went back to Laguna and fortunately for him, he changed “360 degrees”. At 16 or 17, he became more responsible and more mature. He focused more on his studies and strived to become the best. For Alden, maturity should not depend on someone’s age, it is a decision one has to pursue - “Kumbaga, if you choose to be irresponsible and you know, you don’t want to take care of things na would help you become a better person and you don’t choose the right decisions. It’s really on you. Walang age bracket. Well, you can still enjoy. Hindi kasi porket responsible ka, boring ka na. I don’t see it that way. At times kasi, we have our own set of realities in our lives. Kumbaga, this is how you see things. So iba- ibang perspective. Ako, that’s how I see things. The best way to be responsible is today. Not tomorrow. Not in a certain age.”

Alden learned to see what was coming to his life thus his eagerness to mature – his mother’s death was his wake up call. His father resigned from his job and they needed money for his mother’s funeral. His family was left with nothing. He gave way for his brother to finish his studies. His aunt who works in the States was the one financing their studies and helping them with their expenses. His aunt made it possible for them to graduate high school. When his mother passed away, he realized that his family cannot forever depend on his aunt. He had intuition that he needed to support himself as well, he does not want to be a pabigat.

Alden continued his studies then later on entered showbiz.

After he finished his high school in Colegio de Santa Rosa de Lima, he entered showbiz. Alden got used to going back and forth to Laguna. He did not opt to buy a condo here in the Metro. He feels a little suffocated living in Manila. For him, living in the province – living in the South, takes away that suffocation feeling. “Iba pa rin kasi yung I go home to my home. Kasi where my family is that is where my home is. Mas relaxed doon sa Laguna. Na regardless kahit gaano kalayo ako bumiyahe everyday, it’s nothing to me.”

Since he has been doing such for 5 years already, Alden became accustomed to travelling from the Metro to his residence in Laguna. He considers his travel his “personal alone time” – he reads the bible; checks on his expenses, his business.

Alden’s life outside showbiz.

Alden has a small group from the gym and they tagged themselves as “The Breakfast Club” composed of his non-showbiz friends – composed of 2 ladies and another gentleman. He met them on the gym and he said they make him feel normal. They make me feel one of them. He does not feel the “showbiz status” when he’s with them and they are on the same wavelength. They talk about anything under the sun. After their gym sessions, they have breakfast together. Sometimes he also goes out with Mama Ten (Alden's trusted assistant) and Carlites (Alden's discoverer/Manager). They usually go to Tagaytay. Alden enjoys trying out new restaurants.

But Alden also stated that currently, he does not have an alone time, a whole one day “me” time and he said he does not look for such. He has been in the industry for 5 years and he treasures what he has right now because he believes this might not happen again.

“How I wish I was normal…”

"Paglabas ko ng bahay ko, alam kong hindi ko na pag mamay-ari ang sarili ko". Alden sometimes wishes he still had a normal life. Yes, showbiz has brought so much good things and comfort not just to him but also to his loved ones but it also occurs to him the ideas of getting burnt out, exhaustion, sadness and negativities in this industry. Alden considers negativities as a big part of the showbiz industry. You have to deal with it that regardless of what we do, it will always be there. It will only depend on how you will handle such circumstances. In his 5 years in the industry, Alden believes he had learned how not be too affected by negative things surrounding him.

Alden on bashers.

Alden used to feel frustrated of the insensitivity of bashers. He cannot fathom how these people tend to say and do hurtful things especially when they do not personally know him or know him in general. He considers it unfair. However, as time passed by, he became immune of such circumstance and also felt sorry for these individuals. For Alden, these bashers don’t have the knowledge and the wisdom to be the better version of that negativity inside them. He believes that there is a story behind their insecurities. Alden has become oblivious on social media. He does not really read much and does not look at who posted what. It became a revelation to him to lie low on social media and be happier. His advice for his fellow celebrities who have been victims of bashers on social media: “They are not you. And you don’t owe any of these people any explanation or owe anything in return. So just, shrug it off!”

Does Alden fear anything?

Alden prepared for everything that has surfaced in his life – may it be positive or negative, this was what he learned from his journey. He does not expect for more to avoid disappointment. Alden has 2 fears – fear of the unknown and death of a loved one.

Alden still feels emotional when he thinks about his mother. And he has always been an emotional lad. He does not really hide his feelings. He is appreciative even of the small things that other people sometimes take for granted.

Alden’s showbiz success and future plans.

Alden consider what he has right now as a miracle, a blessing. He believes that the Lord has more plans for him – that He will guide him. He said he is true to his faith and will just go with the flow.

As of date, Alden has no plans of settling down. He relies on the Lord as to what will happen in his life – for him to avoid overthinking. “Ayoko kasi na pangunahan yung mga mangyayari, yung mga bagay na di pa nangyayari. Kasi that’s when you think of those things, you’re having expectations tapos kapag hindi na-meet yun, there’s a certain frustration. I’m just letting the situation play itself. Hindi ako nag-iisip na sana one day. Wala. Just the Lord. Yours will be done. That’s it.”

That's all folks. I hope you can drop some lines on the comment section after reading. Please? In the meantime, here are my exclusive photos i took during my interview with Alden, using my Fujifilm X-A2 camera. Happy weekend y'all.

Xoxo:-)

(Getting a massage before doing the show)

#Alden #PambansangBae #AldenRichards #aldub #aldenatics