Erap dedicates his comeback film to typhoon victims. .

Erap Estrada and Ai-Ai de las Alas

Former president and film icon Joseph “Erap” Estrada is set to conquer the silver screen once again, this time with Comedy Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas in Star Cinema’s next offering Ang Tanging Pamilya. The former leader of the country expressed how happy he is to be working with the top-notch comedienne.

“I call her Mams, hahaha! We’re very close. Its a big thing for me to team-up with the number one Comedy Queen of our generation. Ai-Ai is very nice. She’s a wonderful woman to work with. Very professional, no pretensions, just like in showbiz right now, not plastic.”

Erap also said that Ang Tanging Pamilya, his first film in more than 20 years, is their treat for all the victims of the recent Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. He hopes that by watching this family comedy, those who lost so much because of the calamity can still have a good time. “I hope this would make our fellowmen happy who are sad right now because of the calamity that happened. We have a very hard living right now, but I hope that once you’ve watched our movie, you’ll forget all your problems even just for a while.”

A renowned film actor-producer since the ‘50s, Erap was elected to the highest seat in the Philippine government in 1998, which people thought signified his retirement from showbiz.

Although he confessed he enjoyed shooting Ang Tanging Pamilya, Erap would rather not commit to the idea that his movie comeback is just the beginning. “Well I cannot promise anything. But if I have time then why not. Most especially right now because of typhoon Ondoy we have many fellowmen who’s suffering. Anything I can do to help or simply make them happy I would whole-heartedly do it.”

Thus, the 72-year-old actor admitted that although he has enjoyed a successful career that has spanned four decades, being in public service is still what gives him the ultimate fulfillment. “In showbiz I enjoyed popularity, awards, and the fee of course. But in public service you’re the one who’s giving to other people. They are the one you’re spending time with. That’s what money can’t buy.”

Catch Erap and Ai-Ai in Ang Tanging Pamilya premiering this November.