Raphael and Pateet: Eat Bulaga's ALDUB Tamang Panahon

Photo Credit to Eat Bulaga
During the Eat Bulaga Opening

Hmmm... How do I even start writing about my emotions about last Saturday's AlDub historical event? I've been an Eat Bulaga fan ever since I was a kid. We often would wait until the end of their show just to watch the "Bulagaan" portion where they pair up and are given knock-knock joke assignments. I was upset that they stopped doing that portion.

Photo Credit to Eat Bulaga
Left to Right: Lola Tinidora, Lola Nidora, and Lola Tidora

Life kept me busy that I didn't have extra time to watch shows. My fandom with Aldub started when Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) lay unconscious on the ground in one of their episodes. That Kalyeserye (Street Series) episode was all over the internet and I remember myself watching it. I decided to search how this love team started and the rest was history. We have been trying to get seats to watch Eat Bulaga but they were already fully booked until December of 2015. That is why when Lola Nidora (Wally Bayola) invited the whole AlDub Nation to witness Tamang Panahon in their Bungalow, my mom and I didn't hesitate to buy tickets.

Photo Credit to Eat Bulaga
Yaya Dub and BAEby Baste

October 24, 2015

The day that everybody was waiting for finally came!!! Alden (Alden Richards) and Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) will finally see each other with no conditions from Lola Nidora. After 100 days of waiting, Lola Nidora officially allowed Alden to see Yaya Dub. My dad drove us to the Philippines Arena at 4:30 in the morning. Mom and I waited at the line for 1 hour and 30 minutes. They opened the gates at six o'clock in the morning. When we arrived, there were already a lot of fans waiting outside. We are just fortunate enough that we didn't experienced the traffic that everybody was dreading about.

Photo Credit to Eat Bulaga
Yaya Dub's reaction upon seeing Alden Richards

While waiting outside, I've already felt the excitement and teamwork of AlDub Nation (name of Alden and Yaya Dub's Fans Club). Everybody was wearing their own customized shirt and have printed fan signs and posters for the event. Some even dressed like Yaya Dub! That's how influential they are. For us, I designed our t-shirt for the event. Thanks Urban Art for doing an amazing job! We sat on our chairs and waited for the show to start. They started showing our favorite Kalyeserye episodes that delighted the audience. Around 10am, I noticed that there were no longer EMPTY CHAIRS! Before the live airing of Eat Bulaga, they invited everybody to participate with their games. They also taught us how to dance the Eat Bulaga opening song. One of the amazing things that we did before the show went live, everybody was asked to light up their phones and wave it as high as they could. They closed the lights and I looked around and was amazed with the number of people that came yesterday. THERE WERE 55,000 FANS SEATING AT THE PHILIPPINE ARENA!!!!!! :D How incredible is that? Considering that AlDub started three months ago.

Photo Credit to Eat Bulaga
Before Lola Nidora allowed Alden Richards to court Divina Ursula Bokbokova Smash aka Yaya Dub

The Kalye's Angels, Lola Nidora (Wally Bayola), Lola Tidora (Paolo Ballesteros, and Lola Tinidora (Jose Manalo), opened the show with an outstanding and entertaining production number. Everybody danced and jumped with them. They all performed their signature dances and acts. I enjoyed dancing and laughing with Yaya Dub's grandmothers. Then, the other Eat Bulaga hosts came out to sing along with the Lola's. I looked at their faces and I noticed that they were amazed at what's in front of them. Well, who wouldn't be? Tito, Vic and Joey (TV) came out and we started singing Eat Bulaga's Theme Song. We were all dancing and so, I decided to record it a for a few seconds. I shed a few happy tears because of what I saw. Three months ago, we were just watching them day after day with the hope of taking all our worries off for a while. Hundred days after, we were all inside the biggest indoor arena in the world to witness the biggest moment in Aldub's history ---> Tamang Panahon!

Photo credit to Gwendy Gayle Photography
The emotional hug that made millions cry :D

I feel very blessed and honored to be a part of such historical moment. You don't get this chance every single day and so, I really did my best to make sure I was part of it. Wally Bayona's quick change act amazed us all. He changed into three characters, Lola Nidora (Yaya Dub's grandmother), Duhrizz (Lola Nidora's granddaughter), and Rhianna (Lola Nidora's Maid and Yaya Dub's bff). When I was young, I learned the art of Theater. I learned to play different roles on stage. I had a hard time playing different because you need to study and internalize your character but, Wally Bayola is a natural actor. He can be whoever he wants to be! He is like the Johnny Depp of the Philippines! That, Ladies and Gentlemen is a rare talent! Kudos to you Mr. Wally Bayola :D

Photo credit to Gwendy Gayle Photography
The hug that took our breath away

Finally, the woman of the hour came out!!! Yaya Dub graced us all with her energetic, funny and witty personality. She was standing and holding onto the Jeepney that she entered with. Oh how fun!!! The classic Yaya Dub that we allllll know!!! <3 She looked soooo gorgeous and stunning. She did a great job with her production number along with the cutest BAEby, Baste, and our Yaya Luvs, Ryzza Mae Dizon. After Yaya Dub's entertaining production number with her gang, she was launched as an official actress and host of Eat Bulaga and TAPE, Inc. From that perspective, I got to know Maine Mendoza more. I actually got teary-eyed because Lola Nidora said that like Maine, if we all work really hard and give our best, we will all achieve our dreams at the right time and the right moment. I've been telling my mom how amazing Maine is because she's just twenty years old and look at her!!! She's a SUPERSTAR!! :D <3

Photo Credit to Gweny Gayle Photography
What's Kalyeserye without their epic wacky faces :)

After hours and hours and hours of W-A-I-T-I-N-G, finally, Tamang Panahon came. Reminiscing how their love story started had everyone gushed! Alden Richards was slowly walking towards Maine with his box of flowers for her. Yaya Dub and Alden were obviously living the moment. Who wouldn't be? They've waited for this day!!! WE ALL WAITED FOR THIS DAY. Lola Nidora interrupted their meeting. She said that getting the things that we want is sweeter when you've worked hard for it and waited for the right moment. The three of them shared a warm and heartwarming hug that made everyone cry. My mom and I cried, not because we wanted to be just like everybody else, but because we also WAITED for this day.

Photo credit to Gwendy Gayle Photography
Genuine Smiles

Alden sang "God gave me you" for Yaya Dub. Alden hugged Yaya Dub and they both cried because of the happiness they felt. Of course, everybody screamed and jumped for joy during that moment. There was also a moment where Alden went down on his knees and sang with his heart full of gratitude for Yaya Dub. Awwwww.... That moment, was so pure and tender and we all felt his sincerity. After Alden's heart warming song, they gave each other their messages. Lola Nidora suggested that they dance the waltz since they were dressed up like a prince and a princess. They looked so looooooovely! <3

Photo Credit to Eat Bulaga
Congratulations ALDUB Nation

I would tell you the rest of the story but I knew YouTube has it on video. We are so fortunate enough to have been able to witness this moment and be part of the ALDUB history. I know that, at this point, everybody is talking about what happened last October 24, 2015. I am happy for their success. Thank you! Thank you Eat Bulaga for giving us a chance to be with you on that historical day!!! We loved every moment of it! Plus, the proceeds of the ticket sales will ALL go to building Aldub Libraries Nationwide :)