LOVETEAMS have long been a staple in Philippine entertainment, often crafted by networks and film studios. But in 2015, a loveteam unexpectedly captured the country’s heart, AlDub, born not from planning but pure spontaneity.
Formed during the noontime show Eat Bulaga, AlDub, short for Alden Richards and Yaya Dub, the character played by Maine Mendoza, proved that on-screen chemistry didn’t need physical closeness. Their early interactions were limited to lip-syncs of viral Dubsmash audio, exchanged via split-screen during the “Juan for All, All for Juan” segment. Yet their charm sparked an overwhelming response that quickly evolved into the daily Kalyeserye skit.
By late 2015, the country tuned in religiously to catch AlDub’s story unfold. Bryan White’s “God Gave Me You” played like a national anthem, and rival network ABS-CBN reportedly considered cancelling It’s Showtime due to declining ratings. Online, AlDub dominated Twitter trends daily, eventually breaking records with over 40 million tweets for the hashtag #AlDubEBTamangPanahon — a record-breaking moment during their Philippine Arena event.
But AlDub’s success went beyond screens and hashtags. Their fanbase, dubbed AlDub Nation, organized charity drives, benefit events, and campaigns to support social causes. It was a moment where fandom became a movement.
How it started
Alden Richards was still establishing himself in showbiz when he joined Eat Bulaga as a guest co-host. Maine Mendoza was discovered through her viral Dubsmash videos and cast as the mute but expressive Yaya Dub, assistant to the comedic character Lola Nidora. Mendoza communicated solely through lip-syncs, staying true to her internet roots.
On July 16, 2015, the game changed. Mendoza broke character when she saw Richards live onscreen, reacting with a candid smile. That unscripted moment launched what would become Kalyeserye, a parody-romcom segment that featured handwritten letters, comedic twists, and love kept apart by fictional rules (and a literal plywood wall).
Their weekly “weeksaries” and storyline developments kept audiences hooked. But nothing topped the Sa Tamang Panahon live show on October 24, 2015, when AlDub finally met onstage at the Philippine Arena. The event drew 55,000 fans and raised millions to build libraries and support Lumad communities — a fandom-powered charity feat still unmatched.
Not a happy ending
AlDub’s screen success continued with hit films like My Bebe Love (₱385 million) and Imagine You and Me (₱198 million). They starred in the primetime drama Destined to Be Yours and the TV special Love Is…, which tackled mental health issues.
But the fairytale had limits. In 2017, Mendoza wrote a now-viral open letter expressing how she felt boxed in by the public's expectations. Rumors swirled, and by 2018, both had begun to pursue solo careers. Richards took on new roles, including the superhero Victor Magtanggol. Mendoza starred in Isa Pa With Feelings opposite Carlo Aquino.
In 2019, Mendoza confirmed her real-life relationship with actor Arjo Atayde, whom she met during the filming of Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles. The two married in 2023.
Richards, still with GMA as a Sparkle talent, did not follow Mendoza when Eat Bulaga moved to TV5 in 2023 following a fallout with its former producer, TAPE Inc. While they’ve taken different paths, their connection lingers — Richards even attended Mendoza’s 30th birthday bash in 2025, though the two weren’t seen together in public photos.
A legacy that endures
On July 16, 2025, Eat Bulaga marked 10 years since the AlDub craze began. Richards was noticeably absent — likely due to network exclusivity — but fans still reminisced.
AlDub Nation, though quieter now, remains active. Many fans support both Richards and Mendoza in their solo ventures. Others, however, have fed into conspiracy theories claiming the two are secretly married with a child — a darker side of extreme fandom that reflects the blurred line between fiction and reality.
AlDub’s story is a powerful reminder of how unfiltered, unexpected moments can change the landscape of entertainment. It redefined the loveteam formula, proving that genuine, unscripted connections can leave a more lasting impact than even the most carefully engineered showbiz pairings.
If there’s one lesson AlDub leaves behind, the most unforgettable stories are the ones no one plans. RGL