JULY 22- 28, 2017

EXCLUSIVE TELL-ALL INTERVIEW!

“The less you expect, the less heartbroken you will be. I really don’t put up a list of things that I want to have or achieve in my life.”

NEW FOUND LOVE shares his new found inspiration outside showbiz

#InsideShowbizLovesAldenRichards

RAIN P. DAGALA EDITORIAL DIRECTOR JENICA MAGQUILAT EDITOR ANGELU ZAFE WEB CONTENT WRITER ANNE BERNISCA DIGITAL MEDIA HEAD

ART MACKY ARQUILLA JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR NICOLE VILLARUEL JUNIOR MULTIMEDIA ARTIST MARK XAVIER P. VILLANUEVA FINAL ARTIST

SPECIAL PROJECTS MARGA TUPAZ HEAD RED DE LEON ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR STEPHANIE PUYOD COPYCHIEF FRANCESCA PANGILINAN, GABE FERNANDO, CHARLENE TY COPYWRITERS MIA CATEDRILLA, EJ KAMPITAN, DEN FAJARDO, ALEXA MANLANGIT GRAPHIC ARTISTS BETTINA DE LOS REYES, JOSHUA ARGOSINO MULTIMEDIA ARTISTS

CONTRIBUTOR YUKIE SARTO, FLOYD JHOCSON, JERICK SANCHEZ, DOOKIE DUCAY PHOTOGRAPHERS ROSY MINA, MELISSA BAGAMASBAD, KRISTEL DACUMOS-LAGORZA PHOTOGRAPHER

ERICA LUNA EDITORIAL ADMIN ASSOCIATE SUKI SALVADOR VICE-PRESIDENT — MAGAZINE & PRINT BUSINESS ARCHIE CARRASCO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER

FOUNDER & CEO SARI YAP CHAIRMAN J. TIU FOUNDING CREATIVE DIRECTOR LORRAINE BELMONTE TO EVEN GREATER HEIGHTS

It’s not fame that Alden Richards wants. At this point in his career, he longs for more opportunities that can hone his talents and allow him to make a positive impact on others

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017 Everybody knows his story. He came into showbiz and saw his colleagues shine while he stayed on the sidelines. He waited. But he didn’t just idle away the hours. He stayed put, persevered, and hustled. When his time finally came, the turnout was mind-blowing. A deluge of blessings went his way in such a short period of time. His claim to fame was so tremendous that he became a household name in an instant. But if you ask Alden Richards about his superstar status, he blatantly admits that he has not made it yet.

“Of course not,” he tells Inside Showbiz Weekly in a calm tone. He says this nonchalantly despite being part of the power tandem AlDub with Maine Mendoza. The portmanteau of Alden and Yaya Dub (the Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye character of Maine) dominated Philippine showbiz and the social media world in 2015. They continue to capture the hearts of viewers and remain to be influencers, bagging endorsements left and right up to this day.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017 Alden’s pronouncement does not mean that he is craving for more attention. He is just humble enough to declare that his showbiz journey of six years is still a very brief one compared to the journey of other superstars who have more than a decade of experience. “Gusto ko pang gumawa ng Hollywood film,” the actor says with a laugh.

“Gusto ko pang gumawa siyempre ng Hollywood film kung may chance. ‘Yun yung ultimate career goal ko. Hopefully, mabigyan ako ng opportunity para makapag-explore naman tayo outside of the country,” reveals the 25-year-old GMA Artist Center star.

FIRST LOVE

Alden, whose real name is Richard Faulkerson, Jr., is focused on becoming a full-fledged artist rather than just being a shining star in the entertainment industry. He even shares with MEGA Man that fame is not a favorite word of his. He clarifies that he is happy with his achievements. It’s just that he does not want fame to overpower him. He refuses to let fame blind him and become a negative cloud in his life.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017

In fact, he considers his popularity as a blessing. He says it is definitely not a curse despite losing much control of his privacy since he shot to fame. He recognizes the impact that his popularity has on his audience. He believes that his celebrity status is a potent influence for his followers and viewers so that they would be inspired to be kind to others and be passionate in what they do.

The Pambansang Bae becomes even more enthusiastic when he is asked about his passion for acting. He says he is more than determined to master the art of acting because it is his first love. He has several acting awards under his belt, the most recent coming from the 14th Gawad Tanglaw.

He was cited for turning in the best television performance by an actor (single performance) in Magpakailanman: The Alden Richards Story.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017 In 2015, he received the Best Drama Actor trophy from the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television for Ilustrado where he portrayed national hero Jose Rizal. As for his work in film, Alden was recently hailed as the Prince of Philippine Movies at the 48th Box Office Entertainment Awards of the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Maine was naturally Alden’s partner as she was named the Princess of Philippine Movies. The pair received such accolades for their 2016 flickImagine You and Me.

GOING SOLO?

As of late, some showbiz watchers have noticed that Alden and Maine have been figuring in commercials without the other. This has spurred speculations that the AlDub tandem might part ways soon, especially following the recent conclusion of their primetime soap opera Destined to be Yours.

Definitely not, Alden assures. “A movie will be coming soon,” the in-demand endorser states. “I can’t really share much of the details but that’s one of the things na puwede nilang abangan.” The still untitled movie would be their third movie together. was their second film but was the first movie where they served as the lead actors. Their big screen debut was at the 2015 Metro Film Festival where they were part of the My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore ensemble cast led by Ai Ai delas Alas and .

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017

“Maine and I have really been through a lot since we met. Right now, go with the flow kami with what’s happening in our career,” he explains. “What’s important in our love team is we have the trust, ‘yung tiwala namin sa isa’t-isa in the things that we do and the belief that we have in each other na kaya namin gawin yung mga bagay na iniisip namin at feeling namin na hindi namin kaya.”

It has been two years since Alden and Maine, who also goes by the portmanteaus MaiDen and MaiChard, met through split screen during the live portion Juan for All, All for Juan in Eat Bulaga. It was an accidental moment that wove magic across television screens, computer monitors, and mobile phone screens. That fateful Thursday of July 16, 2015 seemed like a long time ago because of how far they have come now.

“Grabe as in AlDub [tandem] really changed our lives completely. Everyone knows that,” states Alden. He and Maine continue to be mainstays in the noontime variety show. “Of course, Eat Bulaga. It’s always part of my everyday job,” he says, noting that he only misses his noontime show duty when he has shoots and other commitments that he has to go to.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017 MAKING MUSIC

As if his schedule was not busy enough (packed with taping or shooting, Eat Bulaga and Sunday Pinasaya shows, and shoots), Alden was able to stage his first solo major concert at the Kia Theater in Cubao, last May 27. Such was a feat that he never thought he could ever accomplish.

“After six years, I’ve never really dreamt of doing things like this. Pakiramdam ko hanggang audience lang ako. Pero at the back of my mind, sabi ko sa sarili ko baka puwede naman. Baka may chance naman maging Justin Bieber for a day,” he shares with a faint chuckle.

His concert, entitled Upsurge, was a sold-out show that showcased his dancing and singing skills. He also got to perform with Raymund Marasigan, Kristoffer Martin, Mark Herras, Jerald Napoles, Rodjun Cruz, and Janno Gibbs. His only female guest was none other than the Dubsmash Queen, Maine.

It was high time that Alden held a solo major concert given his success in the recording scene. His 2013 self-titled debut album has reached Platinum status. His second album, which was released in 2015, enjoyed much greater sales as Wish I May reached the highly coveted Diamond status. His most recent album, Say It Again, has already been awarded the Gold status.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017 INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017 MR. NICE GUY

Apart from being fuelled by his passion for his craft, Alden admits that his desire for financial security also keeps him going. He is working hard to be able to save enough for himself and his family. He has gotten into the food service industry and is still able to manage his responsibilities as a business owner. “I’m busy taking care of Concha’s Garden Cafe kasi it’s growing really fast now. We’re planning of expanding every year. Nandun ang focus ko.”

His first Concha’s Garden Cafe is in Tagaytay, Cavite while his second Concha’s Garden Cafe is along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City. There is just no stopping Alden. “Then of course I’m venturing into other businesses as well and putting time and effort kung ano pa ‘yung mga puwede ko gawin aside from being a restaurateur.”

Whether as a celebrity or businessman, Alden makes sure to always turn in a good day’s work. His dedication to work is not just to support himself. He strives to become a professional colleague for the people he is working with. He puts prime importance on being nice to everyone around him. Alden says he is not the type who is preoccupied with setting specific goals and timetables for his career and personal life. “Bahala na si Lord,” he states. “I really don’t put up a list of things that I want to have or achieve in my life kasi with expectation comes frustration ‘pag hindi mo nakuha mga ine-expect mong bagay.”

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY JULY 2017 “The less you expect, the less heartbroken you will be,” he lets out. It does follow, too, that the less one expects, the more ecstatic he becomes when a surprise pops in. Alden was surely taken aback in 2015 when things took a sharp turn and his fame skyrocketed. Who knows what other surprises could be in store for Alden and his supporters as he continues to thrive in the worlds of entrepreneurship and showbiz.

Text by Rosy Mina Photography by Jerick Sanchez Hair and Makeup by Kusie Ho

Special Thanks to MEGA Magazine GMA Artist Center