Netizens go gaga over ‘AlDub’

SOME of the tweets of netizens about the AlDub “phenomenon” are shown in these screen shots in reaction to the INQUIRER’s frontpage article on Sunday.

“Kabog! Phenomenal! Makakahiram ng diaryo kay itay mamaya!”

And so certified netizens of AlDub nation went bonkers early Sunday morning at the sight of Nicomaine Dei “Maine” Mendoza, better known as “Yaya Dub,” and her love interest, Alden Richards, with costars Wally Bayola, who plays Lola Nidora, and Jose Manalo, in the Inquirer.

“Wow. Etong mga news na ito ang dapat nating pinapansin instead of rumors,” netizen @damndawnmimi, who tagged #AlDub1stMonthsary, posted on Twitter.

“This! Bka ma2ya billboard na hahaha,” netizen @jastariqli said, with a retweet of the front-page photo.

Hard to beat

Even Eat Bulaga cohost Joey de Leon posted the Inquirer wallpaper on his own Twitter account. “Parang mas HARD TO BEAT ang ALDUB!” he said, referring to the Inquirer banner “Mar-Vi is ‘hard to beat.’” Mar-Vi in the story refers to a possible Mar Roxas-Vilma Santos tandem in 2016 election.

“Ayan nasa Inquirer na sila! Whooo! Tayo’y magbunyi Aldub nation!” @qahzenukesu said.

By 5 in the morning, photos of excerpts of the article written by Bayani San Diego were already shared on social media. One netizen drew a heart on the paragraph that quoted Mendoza as saying “Now I believe in forever.” In the same paragraph, Mendoza was also quoted as saying she had a crush on Richards.

#AlDub refers to the tandem of Alden Richards and Mendoza, who is known as Yaya Dub, who play the lead roles in a modern love story on the noontime TV show Eat Bulaga. The untypical romance—dubbed “KalyeSerye”—has boosted the ratings of Eat Bulaga and partly changed the lunchtime habits of office workers in Makati City.

Fans’ surprise

Some netizens’ feedback stemmed from the fans’ surprise that a newspaper would put prominence to a story that normally would go to the entertainment section in the inside pages.

“No denying when a legit institution recognizes the tandem aldub, it’s on,” netizen @MQreyes143 posted on Twitter.

“It’s different when featured on Broadsheets! Totally different from tabloids. Iba ‘to! ‘Grats AlDub!” said @angelo910819.

“Timing!!! Need ko newspaper para sa assignment. Woooheee” netizen @iamStaaarrving also said.

Collectible

“Collectible,” said netizen @annnnnn13.

Fueling the frenzy was the first-month anniversary of the tandem, which fans celebrated by pushing the hashtag #AlDub1stMonthsary.

But in general, the chatter was just mostly unbridled gushing of delight from loyal fans.

“Haha … lagot na … sasakupin na ng ALDUB ang mundo,” @ALDUBuPdate said.

“Congratulations @mainedcm! Front page it is! What you did to Philippine TV is phenomenal,” @prettykristia said.

“Sana nasa Pnas ako ngayon hahaha eh pin up ko yan sa bahay ko,” @raytweet20 said.

“From Singapore #aldubfever caught me!!!! Love it!” Julie P. Canete said on Facebook.

“Even here in zamboanga hit ang aldub,” Butchans Mongaya said.

Movie

Eric Rodriguez wanted the love story turned into a movie. “I-movie na yan, strike while the iron is hot.”

“I’m not into Filipino love teams, but when I started to know about Aldub, it was different! They are the best love team for me right now. :) Makes me happy every day when I watch the show. Kudos EB!” said macie47.

“I am currently in US … I don’t consider myself as shallow as I am more on current events and documentaries but the show lets me forget the stress in my work and makes me look at the lighter side of life,” Malou T. Abrantes said.

Naysayers

Of course, there are those who are not pleased with the Aldub tandem.

“The proliferation of concepts like ‘kilig,’ ‘pabebe’ and ‘love teams’ in media is but a ploy by the media companies in cahoots with the government to divert the public’s attention from things that really matter to trivial things that rather encourage people to get trapped in apathy and irresponsibility,” Timothy Natividad said.

“Cheap,” Dnomvar Yocte said.

“15 minutes of fame, garbage show. Pag nagkita ang dalawang yan tapos ang career nila as in wala na uli,” Joey Matapobre said.

“Filipinos are over-entertained and undereducated. thanks eat bulaga!” @goalguldbowman said.

“The taste of pinoys audience is simply outrageous … skipping lunch just to watch!!” said a netizen, who used the name “magiting.”

But there must be a sociological explanation to the AlDub phenomenon. Netizen @tr1pnautic suggested a way to find out: “Randy David should write a social commentary about #AlDub.”

So, we send this appeal to columnist Randy David: “Please, Professor Randy?”–With a report from Karl Angelica Ocampo

RELATED STORIES

Split-screen TV fairy tale ‘AlDub’ hit in old, new media

Alden Richards, Yaya Dub an ‘accidental’ love team – director