The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News featured the AlDub love team for the second time on December 8, 2015.
BBC World News, anchor Rico Hizon conducted the interview with Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza and Alden Richards on the “Eat Bulaga” set in Broadway Centrum.
Hizon also interviewed Jenny Ferre, the creative head and main creator of ‘KalyeSerye’ (where AlDub is part of the cast), industry observers and even some viewers who witnessed the rise of the phenomenal AlDub love team.
The short interview of Alden and Maine showed how the two are still mum about the status of their relationship. Even with Hizon’s direct questions on whether they are in love or if everything’s an act for the sponsors, AlDub hardly ever confirmed anything with their evasive answers. But they said they are open to the possibility of them being involved with each other, since they are both unattached anyway.
Though people are unsure on the real score about Alden and Maine’s relationship, one thing is for certain, the AlDub phenomenon has brought prosperity to everyone involved in its making. The BBC has even described AlDub as a money-spinner. They’re right on target about that.
“Eat Bulaga”, the Philippines’ oldest noontime show and the home of AlDub, has experienced a resurgence in its ratings, almost doubling since the birth of the love team about five months ago. And with high ratings come big money.
Sponsors are falling all over each other to get a slot at “Eat Bulaga”. More than that, Alden and Maine had a string of endorsements following their rise to stardom, including brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Zonrox, Talk ‘N Text, Downy, Tide and more. The other ‘KalyeSerye’ cast members, collectively known as JoWaPao (Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros) and who cross dress as female grannies of “Yaya Dub” also have their fair share of advertisements.
Hizon estimates that AlDub earns a little over $200,000 in their deals. By today’s exchange rates, that would be about 9 million pesos.
Word on the street though is that Alden and Maine receive 8-digit talent fees in local currency for their most recent product endorsements. But like Hizon’s figures, these TF rumors are also unconfirmed.
The AlDub love team is just in its infancy stage and yet it has accomplished so much in so little time. Though some are skeptical as to how long its magical hold on the public’s imagination will last, it has already inspired a lot of people and would probably continue to do so in the years to come.
