Ai-Ai delas Alas on finding Jiro Manio’s father, update on Jiro

MANILA, Philippines – After promising Jiro Manio that she would help him find his biological father, Ai-Ai delas Alas revealed during the YES! 15th anniversary party on Monday, July 27, that she has already found his dad. Jiro’s biological father is Japanese and currently lives in Japan. 

Jiro, who is best known for his work in Magnifico (2003), was found wandering around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3 on June 30. Ai-Ai, who played Jiro’s mother in the movie Ang Tanging Ina, promised to take care of Jiro after the incident. Jiro is currently at a wellness facility and has previously said that he doesn’t want to return to showbiz. (READ: Marvin Agustin, Wenn Deramas, Maryo J de los Reyes share thoughts on Jiro Manio)

On Startalk Saturday, July 25, Ai-Ai, who was adopted by her father’s sister at a very young age, said that she promised Jiro fulfill his dream of finding his biological dad. “Dati nung di ko pa alam kung sino nanay ko sino tatay ko nung maliit ako, hindi nawawala yung feeling na may hinahanap ako eh. Natapos na yung emosyon kong ganon. And I think yun yung gusto ko maintindihan ni Jiro.”

(Before, when I didn’t know who my mother or father was when I was younger, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that I was looking for something. Those feelings are gone now. And I think that’s what I want Jiro to understand.) 

At the YES! event, Ai-Ai said that she hasn’t contacted his biological father yet, even though she has found him, because he currently has a family of his own. “Hindi ko palang namin makausap kasi the father is – may family. So siyempre isipin din natin yung kalagayan din nung kabilang side,” she explained. 

(I haven’t spoken to him because the father is a – he has a family. So of course we have to think of the other side of the situation.)

Ai-Ai  explained the situation to Jiro and said that he understands. “Naintindihan naman niya yung kung saan kami dapat magsimula.” (He understands where we have to start.)

“Sabi nga ng daddy eh pag talagang pong ayaw na niya, pwede po bang ampunin niyo na si Jiro?” (His daddy said, if he really can’t anymore, can you care for Jiro?’) Jiro has a history of drug abuse and is not on good terms with Andrew. To this, Ai-Ai said “Oo naman, siyempre naman. Welcome naman.” ( Yes, of course. [Jiro] is welcome.) – Rappler.com