Nowadays it’s easier to be famous, what with the various social media sites rampant on the internet. The term ‘Five Minutes of Fame’ became common slang for someone who’s gone viral over the media. As the term implies, the fame doesn’t last very long before the public’s attention moved on.
Some people end up famous longer than others, as they even extended their fame towards getting something more.
Then, there are those who use their fame to bring attention to important issues, or to further help the community.
In the year 2015, fans all over the country bore witness to the birth of one of the biggest showbiz phenomena in Philippine history.
The ‘chance meeting’ of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza (then called “Yaya Dub”) sparked the “Aldub Nation” and subsequently the world record for most number of tweets in 24 hours for their hashtag #ALDubEBTamangPanahon which reached over 41 million tweets.
The record got them into the Guinness Book of World Records.
The love team’s popularity rose, and with it their influence and reach. The pair inspired an entire soap opera parody (called “Kalyeserye”), three films and a benefit concert, amongst various other interviews, guest appearances and commercials.
The concert, entitled “Ang Tamang Panahon” was meant to be the final episode of the parody, where Alden and Yaya Dub finally met face to face after two years of various roadblocks, obstacles and subplots.
What did the TV couple do with all this fame and attention? They used it to give back.
The concert raised a total of P14 million from ticket sales alone.
One hundred percent of the proceeds were used for the Aldub Library Project. Fans who could not attend the concert, were also given the opportunity to donate to the project
The Aldub Library Project funded the creation of fully functioning libraries in 10 schools all over the country. The first library was built in Lumban Central Elementary School, located in Lumban, Laguna.
Other libraries were constructed in schools in Samar, Camarines Sur, Davao City, Palawan, Zambales, Capiz, Pangasinan, Lanao Del Norte and Cebu. Until today these libraries are still in use.
The libraries are fully equipped with two computer systems, a television and speaker set, various tables and chairs, and of course shelves upon shelves of educational books.
It’s been a long while since the Aldub Nation had taken the spotlight, but what they did with the fame and fortune their popularity granted them, will remain in the hearts of those whose lives they touched.