MANILA, Philippines – Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza defended the AlDub Nation after they reacted to a rumor that led to the online criticism of Sunday Pinasaya director Rich Ilustre and singer-actress Julie San Jose.

In an interview with the press during the grand press conference of the movie My Bebe Love, Wednesday, December 9, the tandem said they understand the feelings of the fans.

“Well, it’s not being possessive naman, they’re just... Kumbaga, parang nasaling lang sila, na-hurt yung feelings because of a rumor that’s not true. (Well, it’s not just being possessive,they’re just…in other words, they got hurt because of a rumor that’s not true.)

“And siguro po, respect na lang din po sa mga taong involved, huwag na lang po natin silang pag-usapan, kasi wala naman po sila dito,” Alden said. (And with respect to those involved, let’s not just talk about them since they’re not here.)

“At saka wala naman po dapat pag-awayan. Misunderstanding lang iyon po yung mga nangyayari,” Maine said, with Alden adding “Happy lang, good vibes lang.”  And there’s nothing to argue about. It was just a misunderstanding with what’s happened.)

On December 7, director Rich Ilustre apologized to the AlDub fans, Alden, and Maine via Twitter after he liked a tweet that appeared to criticize Maine, who plays Yaya Dub in Eat Bulaga‘s kalyeserye. Many of the fans also got irritated with him after he answered a question about rumors that Alden and Julie Ann San Jose were a couple. It was later discovered that the post was edited and that it was meant as a joke.  

To #AldubNation, I sincerely apologize. I was wrong. It was a mistake on my part. Rest assured I will be more cautious in the future.

— Rich Ilustre (@RichIlustre) December 7, 2015

Logged on to offer my heartfelt apologies to @aldenrichards02 for my mistaken posts and all the damage that resulted from it.

— Rich Ilustre (@RichIlustre) December 8, 2015

It’s a totally humbling lesson to see the power of 1 unintentional word or click. But I accept all responsibility 4 d effects of my mistake.

— Rich Ilustre (@RichIlustre) December 8, 2015

And most especially to @mainedcm I am sorry for the misunderstanding. Know that I consider myself not just your director but also a friend.

— Rich Ilustre (@RichIlustre) December 8, 2015

My Bebe Love

Meanwhile, Alden and Maine are very happy to be given a chance to work on their first movie, My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore with Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai delas Alas. In the movie, Alden plays Dondi, while Maine is Anna, whose father, played by Vic, is enemies with Ai-Ai – who happens to be Dondi’s aunt.

“Yung mga huli ko pong ginawa nung Metro Manila Film Festival, medyo hindi po ka-essential yung role. Kumbaga minsan nandoon lang po ako sa third roster of the stars. Kumbaga ito po yung biggest Metro Manila Film Fest movie ko, kasi second lead po kami ni Maine and first kasama ko si Bossing at si Ms. Ai.

(The previous one I did for the Metro Manila Film Festival, the roles were not quite as essential. I was just part of the third roster of stars. For this one, I consider it my biggest Metro Manila Film Fest movie because I’m second lead with Main and this is the first time I’ll be working with Bossing [Vic] and Ms. Ai.)  

“Masaya po and this is a big chance for me na I’ve always dreamed po of doing this big film sa Metro Manila Film Fest and I’m honored na kasama ko yung mga magagaling na artista sa tabi ko,” Alden said. ( I’m happy and this is a big chance for me because I’ve always dreamed of doing this big film in the Metro Manila Film Fest, and I’m honored to be with the amazing stars next to me.)

Meanwhile, Maine said that she was nervous facing the press for the first time, but she is slowly getting used to it. 

“Honestly, kinakabahan ako kasi first time nga po. Hindi ako sanay na humarap sa maraming tao. (Honestly I was very nervous because this is my first time. I’m not really used to facing a lot of people.)

“Nawawala naman po yung kaba ko kasi nandito naman si Alden,” she said smiling.  (My nervousness is gone because Alden is here.)

According to the two, the movie is different from the Kalyserye, but expect a lot of kilig scenes. As to whether they will kiss in their first movie, both said to watch the film.

Here is a video of @mainedcm and @aldenrichards02 on expectations from each other pic.twitter.com/sPniEPHSfe

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) December 9, 2015

As for the real status between the two of them, both said that they are good friends. Asked how she would describe Alden after finally meeting him since Tamang Panahon, Maine said: “Naku, Alden is a gentleman.  As in sobra, sobra po. Kasi po madami na nagsasabi sa akin, kinukuwento na gentleman nga si Alden and napatunayan ko naman kasi nagkatrabaho na kami.” 

(Alden is a gentleman, As in he’s really one. Many have already said, shared stories that Alden is a gentleman and I was able to prove it because we’ve worked together.)

Maine and Alden on being close friends pic.twitter.com/VCsmtss25p

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) December 10, 2015

Alden for his part feels the same about Maine. ” I have the sense of being protective….being a gentleman is also about protecting the girl, so I’m just doing the right thing to do.”

Directed by Jose Javier Reyes, My Bebe Love opens on December 25  – Rappler.com