#ALDUBandPROUD

I am an AlDub fan.

I am one of those whose life was changed by Kalye Serye and the accidental love team of Alden and Maine.

I have learned to find delight in, a complicated cellphone passcode, a lola dancing to Mambo No. 5, a shrill scream from “Regine”, and more importantly, a split-screen romance.

As a working professional, I carry on with my day to day responsibilities with greater passion and happier thoughts knowing that I will get to replay the day’s episode before I go to sleep at night.  Doing so makes me sleep more soundly and wake up with a clearer sense of purpose.

I used to spend Saturdays in the office, doing overtime work, since there is not much to do at home anyway.  But now my Saturdays are spent at home, eagerly anticipating the airing of Eat Bulaga, knowing that I will not regret having to stay in the office up to 11PM on a Friday just so I wouldn’t have to go back the following day. 

I was never a fan of any love team even in my younger years, and now at 41, I am surprised at the effect of AlDub on me.  I re-discovered Twitter as a medium to express my fondness for AlDub, my great respect for the EB team and my appreciation of the positivity that they bring to the AlDubNation.  I am one of the 25.5M (and counting) tweets that made history on September 26.

I am a member of the AlDubNation that comes from all corners of the globe:

We are the single moms/dads who have become jaded with romance, but are now optimistic that “forever” can still happen “sa tamang panahon.”  

We are the teenagers who thought that true love can be had with a text mate or chat mate, but now understand that real love happens through time, and that hard work and commitment makes the relationship sweeter and lasting.

We are the single guys and girls who constantly looked for love in the wrong places, but now have realized that the best partner would be someone to whom we can sing “GGMY”.

We are the OFWs who have drowned ourselves with work just to battle homesickness, but are now happily facing our workdays with a daily dose of happiness culled from watching Eat Bulaga.

We are the Parents who are exhausted from work, keeping house and taking care of kids, but are now looking at our partners differently, with a sparkle in our eyes because of a rekindled love.

We are the Lolos and Lolas who are saddened that the youth have no regard for tradition and deep-rooted values, but are now appreciative of the efforts of Eat Bulaga’s Kalye Serye to re-educate the next generation.

We come from different circumstances in life: we are rich, we are middle class, we are underprivileged, we are young, we are middle aged, we are in our twilight years, we are male, we are female, we are gay, we are of different religions and beliefs. 

But our love for AlDub has crossed over these boundaries and differences because we found a common purpose: to spread love, happiness and good vibes as a means to combat life’s daily challenges.

We are the AlDubNation.

To my sparring partner and good friend...

I believe this is the first time I will write you a letter, and hopefully it will not be the last. I promise to keep in touch, however busy my life can get, or how tiring my days will be. 

There are so many things I wanted to tell you but I know I would break down in tears if I say it face to face. So I just thought of writing this blog and dedicating it to you.

GOOD LUCK. You've probably heard this many times especially when you've told people you were leaving, as it is the most common thing to say to somebody who will start a new life. I will also say good luck because I sincerely wish you will have that, when you start this new chapter in your life. May you have the best of luck in starting a new career in NZ, because It will make me really happy to know that you've found a job that you will love, and is working with people who can be your good friends. I sincerely wish your friendship with them will be like ours, unpretentious, undemanding but genuine and loyal.

THANK YOU, for being part of my life because even if you are much younger than me, there are so many things I have learned from you. Thank you for being genuinely concerned about me, my friends and my family and for not getting tired of listening to my stories about them. Thank you for teaching me how to be a bit more practical (I'm still struggling with this - haha!), a lot more patient and forgiving. Thank you for understanding my quirks and weirdness and for not fighting back when i snap. Thank you for your words of praises and pats on the back when I do a good job and for scolding me when I am not being good to myself. Thank you for always being behind me as a cheerleader and a friend.

I WILL MISS YOU. There are so many things I will miss about you Bert, and the thoughts would constantly bring a tear to my eyes. I will miss our conversations about each other's daily experiences (what we saw on TV, read on the internet, what Sasha said, what you discovered in the supermarket, etc.). I will miss the times when we laugh at the simplest of situations or the silliest of ideas. I will also miss our serious conversations about our lives, our plans, hopes and dreams. I will miss my trail mix buyer, my gadget adviser, my Raon and Divisoria runner,  my fashion police, my little brother. 

My little brother. Yes that has been your biggest role in my life Bert and i thank God everyday for bringing you to my life. From a neophyte in the corporate world, you've fought your way through and has transformed into a no nonesense HR guy. For that, I am very proud of you. Promise me you will continue to learn and strive to fulfill your dreams because nothing can make me happier than knowing that you have reached your goals.

Hey, studies say that friendships that lasted more than 7 years will continue for a lifetime. We've been friends for exactly 7 years, so let's see if this theory will hold true. 

Take care of Kat and Sasha and yourself. Be the best husband and dad you can be while I will continue to cheer you on from thousands of miles away. I hope to visit you one day but in the meantime, i will pray for you everyday.  

God bless you my friend.