What is AlDub and Why has ALDUB Trended on Twitter this 2015?

You just logged in on Twitter and saw a curious hashtag that has gained over more than 10 million tweets which included the keyword ALDUB and you might start to wonder What is AlDub and Why has ALDUB Trended on Twitter this 2015? People outside of its influence, today we'll answer that for you.


ALDUB is a combination of two names mainly AL and DUB. AL stands for Alden as in the Filipino celebrity (actor, singer, host) who goes by the screen name Alden Richards with a real name of Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr.. Meanwhile, DUB stands for Yaya Dub (directly translates to "Nanny Dub") a fictional character and persona created exclusively for a comedy-charitable segment called "Juan for All, All for Juan" on the Philippines longest running noontime show, Eat Bulaga!. Yaya Dub is played by an new rising television and online celebrity named Maine Mendoza with a real name of Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza.

Reasons Why has ALDUB Trended on Twitter this 2015

Maine Mendoza's Success in Her Dubsmash Video Series

Before becoming popular as Yaya Dub, Maine Mendoza first became popular with another technological fad called "Dubsmash". Dubsmash is an app in which people siyncs their lips and performance on a list of short audio files taken from movies, television, and music. Maine Mendoza's duubsmash video that she can now be deemed "Queen of DubSmashing in the Philippines". One can observe that Maine Mendoza is a naturally charming Filipina; a Filipina who is bold in making a fool of herself by making ridiculous faces. This is really nothing new (really) as this has been a formula of success of many comedians (in her case comedienne) and popular Youtubers. Her pretty face plus her boldness is what made her famous in dubsmashing and online. It was only then a matter of time before one of the two major rival Philippine television networks (ABS-CBN) grab a hold of her. In this case, GMA Network's Eat Bulaga won her over.



Maine Mendoza's doing a dubsmash of Kris Aquino in her official Youtube channel

The Power of Millennials and Social Network

Anything trends in social media as long as people interested in it keeps on talking about it. In ALDUB's case, it is all thanks to most Filipino Millennials (Generation Y) and even those in the older generation (Generation X Filipinos) who have now familiarized themselves with social media being allured by the charm of the on-screen television love team. Similarly, thanks to the "healthy" rivalry between GMA Network's Eat Bulaga! and ABS-CBN's It's Showtime, it seems that most fans have brought the rivalry online. Thus, fans from opposing end are tweeting (and at times hating) about AlDub and Pastillas Girl (It's Showtime's answer and imitation of AlDub). AlDub's phenomenal Philippine television and online success can now be traced on how well the the old and new media has united on this one. Eat Bulaga's creative team or social media team has embraced social media tapping in it's maximum potential... by uploading Eat Bulaga episode of the Kalye-Serye (Street Series) on Youtube and marketing it on various social media channels.



The social media power for Filipino Millenials was observed when the (hashtag) #ALDUBMostAwaitedDate trended on Twitter with more thatn 10 Million Tweets last September 19, 2015, Saturday, PH Time

ALDUB is on Eat Bulaga!

Eat Bulaga is the longest running noontime variety and game show in the Philippines that started from 1972 and still going strong as of the present (2015 as of the posting of this blog). On a relevant note, the noontime show has gained so much popularity that Indonesia has picked it up with Eat Bulaga! having its first overseas franchise with Eat Bulaga! Indonesia. ALDUB being on Eat Bulaga! greatly helped its popularity and in turn helped Eat Bulaga back to become more popular (worldwide) than it currently is. ALDUB has tapped the market of Eat Bulaga! and in returned receiving more viewership and attention. Eat Bulaga has struck gold with the AlDub phenomena.

Most Filipinos Love Rom-Coms

Most Filipinos loves an equal mix of comedy and romance which is probably why the romantic-comedy genre has became so successful and phenomenal in Philippine cinema in terms of box office; and television with viewership and tweets. The ALDUB is an on-screen love team which was developed when Yaya Dub's character was supposedly indifferent towards everyone around her and will just do her "dubsmash" gig only when her character calls for it. Maine broke character when the camera panned to Alden in one episode of All For Juan, Juan For All in and august 2015 episode and from then on, the love team was developed. In reality, AlDub is not that different from any showbiz love team that has become popular in recent memories, the only difference is that it has the power of the entire (GMA) network and its online counterpart to support it and so far it has worked for their favor (financially speaking that is with endorsements and advertisements; the lifeblood of television).

GMA Network and News Coverage of ALDUB

Another factor on why ALDUB has become phenomenally successful in the Philippines which transcended to the "Twitterverse"is how aggressive the network covers the phenomenal Philippine noontime show on-screen love team of AlDub. ALDub is being mentioned and featured in showbiz segment and even by reputable news reporter/anchors even in non-showbz segment in GMA Network's morning news in "Unang Hirit", it's sister company (separate Philippine television network/channel) GMA News TV's noontime news program "Balitanghali", GMA Network's afternoon news program 24 Oras, and the late night news program "Saksi". The success has also spun 2 television advertisement which may now appear in other television networks.



ALDUB 1st Television Commercial in the Philippines - ALDUB's AlDub Ko To Mc Donald's Chicken Ala King TV Commercial



ALDUB 2nd Television Commercial in the Philippines - ALDUB's Talk N' Text TV Commercial
Probably one of the more head-scratching one as the network has seemingly focused all their media machinery in promoting and endorsing the noontime show's on-screen pair. Guess it was expected of any traditional television media and somehow confirms the what the thinking Filipinos perception of the mass media.


The ALDub on-screen love team is here to stay whether Filipinos like it or not. AlDub will still trend just like any video game, television, of movie franchise; if it works, it will be milked until the cow is no longer capable of being milked. There is really no sense in fighting over it amongst fans or no reason in hating it if you are not into it. It is what it is. Not long ago we have a similar fad in the form of Boy Pick-Up where alMOST everyone seems to make pointless pick-up lines and thought that Boy Pick-Up was funny but it eventually died a natural death; this may very well happen to the AlDub just like Guy and Pip, Vilma and Bobot, Angelu and Bobby, Judy anne and Wowie, Leah and Aga, Regine and Ariel, Richard and Dawn, and many on-screen pairs that came before it. Then we'll have a newer generation of on-screen couple replacing AlDub that will bring "kilig" to many Filipino who prefer escapism than facing the harsh realities brought by poverty, government, justice system, war, and politics.

On Vice Ganda on Anti-Bullying Fiasco on ABS-CBN's Showtime

Vice Ganda revealed his bare (cosmetic make-up less) face on national television in the Advice-Ganda segment of ABS-CBN's noontime show Showtime last May 28, 2015 to advocate anti-bullying. The ABS-CBN comedian shared the best advice he can give this tormented heavily bullied woman in her school - to accept and love who she is and what she looks like then proceeded to removing his make up.


If you are interested to how the whole drama unfolded. Check out the video feature from ABS-CBN's Aquino & Abunda Tonight here:


On Bullying

Bullying is a serious issue faced by not just children but adults alike. Bullying lowers self-esteem and confidence. It generally tend to make people feel inferior and uncomfortable with themselves which stems out a slew of problems with the worst case scenario depression which could then result to suicide. Society (now aggressively) frowns upon the act of bullying which is just and subscribed to by most people. People who are considered advocates of anti-bullying are now considered champions of the oppressed... people we cheer upon. Anti-bullying statements are now much stronger when it is said by notable public figures like celebrities.

On Vice Ganda's Brand of Humor

Those who trouble themselves (or helpless in) watching anything Vice Ganda, you'll have a general idea of what is his brand of humor, poking fun at the expense of others. You don't have to stray away to find this in action, just watch episodes of ABS-CBN's Gandang Gabi Vice to see his humor in action - usually poking fun of how the audience member (the "punch line") physically looks like. Heck he sometimes question the way the "punchline" behaves (gestures and mannerism), thinks and expresses (talks) him or herself. One can say but it is comedy and is subjective... but we can say that bullies are merely doing the act of bullying because they find the bullied to be funny or humorous.







People seem to have forgotten that not long ago Vice made a very questionable (and highly frowned-upon) joke that insults both the size of people (being fat) and (platfully belittling) rape. Well, guess that was probably not "bullying" but a simply is a bad joke; so subscribing to that, can bullies be merely bad jokers?
On The Irony of Vice Ganda's Anti-Bullying Fiasco

We now come to full circle with Vice Ganda's brand of humor which is laughing at the expense of other and bullies tendency to use humor to poke fun of others. Do you see the irony of this whole anti-bullying fiasco in Showtime? Well guess, I am not the only one who noticed this as meme's about Vice Ganda removing his make-up to give an ironic but "sensible" advice started circulating the social networks.



It is always good to watch and listen to people taking the side of the oppressed, to advocate anti-bullying; but we also have to be aware that in order for one to be a credible person to give such uplifting statements, he should be found in to have (little to) no faults in relation to bullying. Vice Ganda's brand of humor walks that thin line that separates jokes from insults. The big question is after this fiasco, will Vice Ganda's brand of humor grows up to be more intelligent or be the same ruthlessly poking fun at the expense of others?

How about you guys? What do you think about this whole television drama promulgated by ABS-CBN, Showtime, and Vice Ganda? If you are you a fan then are these criticism unfounded or uncalled for? Share your thoughts on Vice Ganda on Anti-Bullying Statement on ABS-CBN's Showtime in the comments section below:

Why is RIP Jam Trending and the Philippine News Media Coverage

Today (March 4, 2015) a certain Filipino passed away because of cancer, Jamvhille Sebastian of the real life and social network "famous" couple called JaMich. The Philippine entertainment industry has been all over Jamvhille "Jam" Sebastian and Paolinne Michelle "Mich" Liggayu after Jam's battle against lung cancer has been made public.

Why is Jam Sebastian's battle against cancer made public?

That is the question. Why, indeed. Is it simply just because of the cancer patient's wishes to be so? We should understand that the JAMICH couple first gained popularity and notoriety by making their love story public and be a media spectacle through their various social media websites which I personally do not follow. Is it simply a matter of preference. How unfortunate are those non-celebrity status cancer patients for not having the spotlight focused on them even if they wanted it to. Guess that's just the reality of life.


Should the battle against cancer be made into a media spectacle?

Unbeknownst to our knowledge, countless of people have died or have been taken away from their families by the ruthlessness of the disease called cancer. Did these families in any way ask for television and social network coverage? I can understand if religious families and friends start asking people around them for prayers to heal (with the hopes of it working) their family member suffering from Cancer, but it is another thing to invite media to dip its dirty feet on it. I don't know the guy nor am a big fan, but should that mean that I should or the rest of the Filipino people sympathize? There are so many people dying without our knowledge. A good example is the Muslim individuals the unsung soldiers caught in the crossfire of the ongoing war from the land dispute in Mindanao. Were their deaths any less important or unimportant than Jam's death? NO, their family and friends mourned without the public knowing and sympathizing. I say let his family and friends mourn privately without the media spectacle.

A call for "political correctness" and "professionalism" in Philippine "news" media

This is an all-time low on Philippine "news" media. What contribution has Jam Sebastian made in the Philippine history and landscape that requires this much news media attention and coverage? Battling cancer? We can get stories of various people battling cancer all over the country. The Philippine news media should only take an effort to do so. Is simply because of JaMich' celebrity status the reason why you are covering them? Is this already considered news? Heck if the stupidity of the "Blue and Black vs White and Gold Dress social network argument" making the news just because it is trending, then it is only natural for news media to sensationalize this one as well, right?


A dying man's wish.

Jam Sebastian was visited by various celebrities like Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino, and Hayden Kho; and guess what, a camera crew is tailing these celebrities when they did visit the bedridden half of JaMich. How noble of these celebrities to visit and answer to a dying man's wish. I hope more celebrities can follow such terminally ill patients dying wish and for them to take time and visit all of them. Unfortunately, there isn't enough attention given to some "less recognized" individuals for them to receive celebrities sympathies and pity.


What is a news and what is newsworthy?

We can simply look for the definition of the word "news" on dictionaries or online via the usual sources (Google, Yahoo, Wikipedia, etc.). Why is JaM's death needed to be covered by leading local news media is beyond me. Is the celebrity status alone makes something newsworthy?

Upon reading this opinion piece, one might misunderstood this as a JaMich hater when in reality I just don't give a darn about who or what they are. What irks me is how the whole Jam Sebastian ordeal with cancer has been abused and sensationalized by the Philippine "news" media as if the Filipino media should know or even care about the cancer tribulations of a "celebrity". Of course, this won't be all possible without the "support" of the "loving" parents. Hopefully they are also open to criticism thrown their way since they are the once who allowed media to spectate on their supposedly private lives. Good and bad comments is all fair once you open the floodgates. There is no stopping what goes in or out.

Philippine news media's sensationalism and biases

Why are they riding the waves of Jam's death. Someone's passing should not even be made public unless they contributed something noteworthy that would actually make the the majority of Filipinos care. Was he a scientist? Was he a political figure? Was he a famous icon? Was he someone who contributed something to the betterment of the country, society, or a specific industry? If the answer is an astounding NO, then why even give them a segment on you supposedly professional news website and television program? I wouldn't be even surprised if I see an episode dedicated to JaMich on infotainment magazine programs like Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho and Rated K, or drama shows like Maalaala Mo Kaya or Magpakailanman.

Let the family and love ones of the Jam mourn in private. Sympathies are expected for the families of the deceased, but you as a respected news media organization are not required to focus your spotlight on them. The country has other issues worth reporting. what happened to the SAF44 Mamasapano clash? The continuous conflict on the Bangsamoro Basic Law? What is the status of the territorial disputes of Muslims claiming most of Mindanao as theirs? What is the status of China's claiming of our territories? what happened to the NBN-ZTE Deal? What happened to the Arroyo trial? What happened to the news about Hacienda Luisita? What is the status of the Freedom of Information Bill?

I find myself loathing Philippine "news" media more and more with these kinds of bad practices, biases, and unprofessionalism.