Ai-Ai delas Alas volunteers to take care of Jiro Manio

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Ai-Ai delas Alas said that she will take it upon herself to be a mother to former child actor Jiro Manio, who played one of her sons in the movie Ang Tanging Ina.

Ai-Ai met with Jiro on July 1 and 2, a visit documented by Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho and aired on Sunday, July 5. Before her meeting with Jiro, Ai-Ai said she wanted to be sure of his condition.

“Gusto ko muna siyang makita, kung ano ‘yung reaction niya towards me. Kasi baka hindi na rin niya ako kilala. Hindi natin alam, ‘di ba?” she said. (I wanted to see first his reaction first toward me. Because he might not recognize me. We couldn’t be sure, right?)

Ai-Ai believes that Jiro needs the love and support of a family, most especially of mother. Jiro’s mother died in 2007.

“Hindi sila nagkasama, so naiintindihan mo sa’n ‘yung pinanggagalingan niya, kung bakit siya nag-drugs, bakit ganun ‘yung pananaw niya sa buhay,” Ai-Ai said.

(They were not together, so you’ll understand where he is coming from, why he tried drugs, why that’s how he looks at life.)

Jiro rose to fame via the movie Magnifico, directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, where he won several awards for his performance.

On June 30, Jiro was found roaming around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Jiro said that he was done with acting. (READ: Jiro Manio’s former live-in partner speaks up about the troubled star)

The staff of the show accompanied Ai-Ai to where Jiro was staying with his brother, but she requested to talk with him in private. Hours later, Ai-Ai said that Jiro is alright but couldn’t divulge what they talked about.

The following day, she returned to Jiro’s place with the TV show’s staff, bringing some food. After their meeting, Ai-Ai gave an update about Jiro: “Okay naman siya and, ‘yun, nasarapan naman siya doon sa mga food na dinala ko. (He’s okay and he liked that food that I bought for him.)

“From this day on, ako na ‘yung tatayong mommy niya muna,” the actress said. (From this day on, I will stand as his mommy for now.)

“Lahat ng support and all the best for him – doctors, psychiatrist, wellness – lahat ‘yun for him para naman bumalik siya sa dati. Masaya na ako kasi alam ko na unti-unti, e, napapabago ko siya,” Ai-Ai said.

(All the support and all the best for him – doctors, psychiatrist, wellness – everything for him to return to his old self. I’m happy knowing that, little by little, I’m helping him change.) 

In the same episode, Anjo Santos, Jiro’s brother, thanked Ai-Ai for being there for his brother.

“Actually, nagdala po siya ng food sa amin, mga kailangan ng kapatid ko. Bukod dun, may iba pang tulong na in-offer siya sa amin. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako nang marami kay Mommy Ai,” Anjo said.

(Actually, she bought food for us, my brother’s needs. She also offered some other form of help. So I am really thankul to Mommy Ai.)

Andrew Manio, Jiro’s foster father, also expressed his gratitude to Ai-Ai for the help.  

A day before the airing of the episode, the staff of KMJS got a message that Jiro was now doing well and that he is on his way to recovery. – Rappler.com