Not only did Volta’s story receive an upgrade, her costume also received a more cosmopolitan enhancement to fit Ai Ai’s newly improved and more curvaceous bod. Aside from this, ABS-CBN boasts of the newest technology in television special effects.

“The TV series is harder to make compared to the movie version because I had to go on a diet,” says Ai Ai at the Volta presscon held at ABS-CBN. “Imagine, I had to go back to my South Beach diet because I have to look good in my costume. I am always wearing my costume kasi marami rin akong fight scenes. And I have to do a lot of flying scenes.”

For the first time, Ai Ai is working with Jayson Gainza, who plays her husband in the series. Wenn Deramas directs while Mel Mendoza del Rosario headwrites—the same tandem behind the successful Volta movie. Initially, the production wanted to have Sam Milby for the role of Ai Ai’s husband but, unfortunately, the matinee idol had to turn down the project due to his extremely busy schedule.

But Ai Ai finds Jayson as a good replacement. “He’s okay. Mabait siya in person and he’s not naman makulit sa set. Malambing nga siya,” says the Comedy Concert Queen who’s playing mother to two newbies, Dino Imperial and Mariel Pamintuan. The two play the role of her children Salty and Pepper, who also possess superpowers just like their mom.

“This is a big break for Dino and Mariel to be part of the series. I guess they were really meant to play my children in Volta. They are very hard working and they look good in their costume. And they are doing their best.”

Flying high

Ai Ai has to do numerous flying scenes as Volta and this scared her in a way. Although she has a double for the flying scenes, Direk Wenn insists that she does it herself.

“Hindi kinaya ng double ko kaya ako na lang talaga ang gumagawa. It’s really very scary since the flying scenes require me to be lifted and be airborne for up to 60 feet high. Nakakalula talaga,” recalls Ai Ai. “I find the flying scenes really difficult and scary. May double ako pero hindi kinaya ng double that’s why I have to do it myself. Nakakatawa di ba? I just pray hard and I also make sure that the harnesses are in place. I want to ensure my safety.”

Joining the Comedy Concert Queen in this new project are Eugene Domingo and Chocoleit (who were both in the movie version), and DJ Durano, while playing the “Maskulado family,” the nemesis of Volta, are Carlos Morales, Jessy Mendiola and Quintin Alianza.

How is it working again with Eugene? “I enjoy working with her since we’ve already worked in the past. In comedy, mas maganda kung may kabatuhan ka. Comedy is give and take. May tagabigay at may tagatanggap. Just like the tandem of Dolphy and Panchito, it works because you are a tandem and you work well together,” says Ai Ai.

“With Eugene, I think I have found a good partner. We work well together because we have good timing. We already know what to do kahit with simple gestures and eye contact.”

If she were Volta

Fantasy and reality do mix in Ai Ai’s career as an actress. Just recently, her eldest son Sancho figured in a fix with a convenience store personnel because of alleged shoplifting. The young man was said to have been illegally detained and was allegedly hurt because of the incident. When Ai Ai met with the press, the incident was still quite fresh in her mind that she refused to give much details.

“God created me to make people happy with my craft. But I am only human and I can’t always be happy. I also go through trials in my life. (If I were) Volta when that problem came, I would have used my powers to get back at them. But since I am a human being, I am facing this problem as a person. I filed my complaint and I am willing to fight for my son till the end,” she explains.