CinemaBravo

Ayah Alfonso, showcasing talents ranging from dancing to singing, modeling, and entrepreneurship, has fearlessly shifted from a wholesome actress to a bold Vivamax star. Her journey goes beyond the personal; it’s a narrative of empowerment. Now delving into more daring roles, Ayah imparts invaluable advice gleaned from her own journey, guiding aspiring artists who want to become part of the most-watched Filipino streaming app, which now has over 11 million subscribers worldwide.

In a recent interview at her recently opened establishment, Ayah shared candid insights to select media outlets including CinemaBravo, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and dedication for those venturing into the world of Vivamax.

Her piece of advice? “Magpakatotoo lang sila sa sarili nila. Kung willing talaga silang pasukin ‘tong pagbi-Vivamax, paghuhubad… i-push nila, wag silang atras-sulong na gugustuhin lang nila para sa pangalan, para sumikat sila? Dapat hindi lang yon.”

(They should just be true to themselves. If they’re really willing to enter the world of Vivamax, to bare it all… they should push themselves. They shouldn’t just want it for the fame, for becoming popular? It shouldn’t be just that.)

“Bilang isang artista, dapat yung paghuhubad, art na kasi ngayon, hindi na kabastos-bastos sa paningin ng ibang tao. So yung mga bago na gustong mag-Vivamax, yun ang gawin nila na ihanda nila ang sarili nila para dito. Wag silang mahiya… Wag nilang gawing trabaho lang dahil kikita sila. I-enjoy nila ang pag-aarte.”

(As an artist, baring it all should be seen as an art nowadays, not just something lewd in the eyes of others. So for those who aspire to join Vivamax, that’s what they should prepare themselves for. They shouldn’t be ashamed… They shouldn’t see it just as a job to earn money. They should enjoy the craft of acting.)

When asked who she wants to work with in a Vivamax project, she was quick to respond: “Si Paulo Avelino po talaga yung crush ko, pero wala naman po siya sa Vivamax. Kasi pag tinitingnan po kasi, lalaking-lalaki siya. I mean, yung pagkatao niya.”

Ayah’s journey into more daring roles wasn’t without its challenges. Initially hesitant to embrace a sexier image, she grappled with the fear of compromising her wholesome persona.

“Ayoko kasing pasukin talaga yung pagpapa-sexy,” she confessed. “Sabi ko last year, yung sarili ko muna. Siguro ito na lang yung hindi ko nagagawa, kasi Ayah Alfonso, kilala nila bilang wholesome na tao. Lahat ng projects ko before, more on young mom, young entrepreneur—puro mga gano’n po yung mga kinukuha kong projects sa mga commercial at sa mga print ad or AVP shoot. Sabi ko nga po, if ever man may chance na maging sexy actress… papasukin ko po, kasi para sa sarili ko, challenging kasi sa ‘kin yon… Yun na lang po yung hindi ko nagagawa.”

(I really didn’t want to delve into the realm of being sexy. I said to myself last year, I’ll focus on myself first. Perhaps this is the only thing I haven’t done yet, because Ayah Alfonso is known as a wholesome person. All my previous projects revolved around roles like young mom or young entrepreneur—those were the types of projects I took on for commercials, print ads, or AVP shoots. I said to myself, if ever there’s a chance to become a sexy actress… I’ll embrace it, because for me, it’s a personal challenge… That’s the only thing I haven’t done.)

In 2016, Ayah ventured into modeling, primarily doing VTRs and engaging in a variety of projects with brands and magazines. Her latest TV appearance was in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, top-billed by Coco Martin. She is also set to guest star as a contestant in Family Feud Philippines.

(Paulo Avelino is really my crush, but he’s not with Vivamax. Because when you look at him, he’s really manly. I mean, his personality.)

Despite her reservations, Ayah embraced the challenge and is now diving headfirst into her new role in Christian Paolo Lat’s upcoming Vivamax film, ‘Himas.’ Starring alongside MJ Abellera, Sahara Bernales, and Felix Roco, Ayah faces the challenge of portraying more intimate scenes.

“Yung pinaka-challenging po, yung mga bed scene, kasi hindi po talaga ako [nakikipag-threesome]. Yung sa Eks [by Direk Roman Perez], kaming dalawa ni Felix; then sa ‘Sisid Marino’ by Direk Joel Lamangan, e sobrang wholesome ko po don.”

(The most challenging part is the intimate scenes, because I’ve never engaged in [threesomes]. In ‘Eks’ [directed by Roman Perez], it was just Felix and me; then in ‘Sisid Marino’ by Direk Joel Lamangan, I was very wholesome there.)

As Ayah anticipates the respective releases of ‘Himas’ on May 31 and ‘Sisid Marino’ on June 14, she reflects on her aspirations and the support she hopes to receive from her audience.

“Suportahan po nila kung gaano po yung pag-support nila sa ‘kin before na Ayah na wholesome, sana po this time yung new journey ko sa pagiging sexy actress ay suportahin din po nila.”

(I hope they support me as much as they did before when I was known as Ayah the wholesome. I hope this time, they’ll also support my new journey as a sexy actress.)

Ayah’s journey into the exciting world of Vivamax marks a big step forward in her career. Plus, running her own spot called “Monster Crave” in Maypajo, Caloocan City, shows off her talents in business. Keep an eye out for what Ayah Alfonso does next!