Kapuso actor Alden Richards once again showed his trademark graciousness when pressed about the recent revelation of his former TV partner Maine Mendoza that she once fell in love with him at the height of the AlDub phenomenon.
Fresh from winning Best Single Performance by an Actor at the 37th PMPC Star Awards for TV last August 24, Alden was asked by tabloid journalist Janiz Navida about Maine’s statement.
The actor, who was seen in a mocha-colored suit and flanked by his team, responded politely: “Sorry. I don’t want to comment on that issue po. Sorry.”
The award-winning actor instead dedicated his big win to mental health awareness, recalling his personal experiences and his mother’s struggle with bipolar disorder.
The issue stemmed from Maine’s candid interview in a recent podcast where she openly admitted: “Na-in-love talaga ako kay Alden. Kahit sino mag-tanong sa akin. Sasagutin ko nang diretso. Na-in-love ako sa kanya pero hindi siya nanligaw. Walang ganon. Alam din niya kasi very vocal ako sa lahat ng tao pati kay Alden mismo.”
Maine added that she once directly asked Alden what he truly felt for her: “Straightforward naman ako na tao. Tinanong ko siya rekta, ‘Sabihin mo na sa ‘kin, ano bang nararamdaman mo for me?’ Direkta kong tinanong sa kanya, gusto ko lang malaman. Sabi ko, ’Kung ano man ‘yan, tatanggapin ko naman. Kailangan ko lang malaman.’”
But according to Maine, Alden’s reply was: “’Di ko pwedeng sabihin sa ’yo kasi mawawala ’yung magic.”
It wasn’t the first time Alden acknowledged their genuine closeness. In a 2023 sit-down with Boy Abunda, he admitted: “I did fall in love with Maine during the AlDub years.”
After her podcast remarks went viral, Maine took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify her intentions: “I didn’t think the part about my story with Alden would spark controversy, let alone be a big deal, considering that everyone had already moved on from Kalyeserye and AlDub.”
She explained that since Alden was central to the ‘Kalyeserye’ journey, it would have been strange not to mention him.
“There was no intention to provoke criticism or negativity towards him or anyone else. I was asked, I answered, and I shared a short anecdote,” she said.
Maine then posed a bigger question: “Why do we get criticized for saying our truth and the truth? And why is it when we do, some people resort to personal attacks meant to demean and harm?”
Finally, she appealed to fans:“Please don’t throw hate on Alden. Regardless of what he meant by his words, it was really for the best for both of us and our situation at that time. Don’t read much into it.”
Alden and Maine, dubbed “AlDub,” became a household name during the ‘Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye’ craze in 2015. They went on to star in films like ‘My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore’ (2015), ‘Imagine You and Me’ (2016), and the GMA Network series ‘Destined to be Yours’ (2017).
Though the love team eventually dissolved as they pursued separate careers, the two remain linked in the eyes of fans. Nearly a decade later, their tandem still sparks conversations — proof of how deeply their love team resonated with the Filipino audience.
