“Eat Bulaga” host Maine Mendoza called on the public not to direct hate toward actor Alden Richards, her former onscreen partner, after revealing she once had feelings for him.
She shared her reaction on X (formerly Twitter) following the comparison of her revelations on the “Tamang Panahon” podcast with Alden’s previous interview.
In the podcast, Maine said she confessed her feelings to Alden, who did not pursue a romantic relationship afterward.
She also asked about his true feelings, to which he replied he “cannot” say, fearing the “magic” would be “lost.”
The two were part of the once-phenomenal “AlDub” tandem featured in “Eat Bulaga’s” “Kalyeserye” segment from 2015 to 2016.
The noontime segment followed Alden, dubbed the “Pambansang Bae,” and Yaya Dub’s (Maine) courtship in the old-fashioned way, highlighting values such as respecting elders and waiting for the right moment, known as “tamang panahon.”
Following Maine’s revelations, an entertainment site referenced Alden’s 2023 interview with Boy Abunda, where he said he had “confessed” to falling in love with his onscreen partner.
RELATED: Alden Richards’ 2023 interview revisited after Maine Mendoza admits past feelings
This led some Filipinos to post negative comments about Alden, feeling his statements didn’t match Maine’s. In response, she urged fans not to hate him, saying he was “a big part of Kalyeserye.”
“The point of our podcast is to look back on Kalyeserye and to discuss and share behind-the-scenes stories — the untold ones —and that can include personal experiences, narratives, and sentiments,” she said on Tuesday, August 19.
“I believe it’s acceptable to reflect and openly discuss them for this podcast, especially now that it’s been a decade and all is well between the individuals involved, particularly me and Alden,” Maine added.
“There is no reason to exclude him from the story [or] our stories, despite his absence, because he was a big part of Kalyeserye — and it would have felt strange to leave him out. That said, there was no intention to provoke criticism or negativity towards him or anyone else. I was asked, I answered, and I shared a short anecdote,” she continued.
Maine emphasized that “there was no malice or ill intent” when she shared her story about herself, Alden and their past.
“All is well among the dabarkads. We’ve all moved on, and the past remains there. We can revisit and reflect on the good and the bad with a peaceful heart. Ten years on, we are all living the lives we chose, and I hope we can keep moving forward without nurturing hate — because what’s the point? What do we gain from hostility?” Maine said.
The host also reminded the public that “life is short” and that there is “another world of better things to do” instead of hanging out on the internet and being a “hater.”
“Please don’t throw hate on Alden. Regardless of what he meant by his words, it was really for the best for both of us and our situation at that time. Don’t read much into it,” Maine said with a smiling emoji.
P.S. Please don’t throw hate on Alden. Regardless of what he meant by his words, it was really for the best for both of us and our situation at that time. Don’t read much into it. ☺️
— Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) August 19, 2025
Maine and Alden went their separate ways in 2018.
She is now married to actor-politician Arjo Atayde, while there are claims that Alden is dating an entrepreneur.
