Ai-Ai's five-bedroom, 650-square-meter home is in a Quezon City subdivision characterized by almost hilly land.

The construction of this house didn't go too smoothly, Ai-Ai says: "Nahinto siya ng two weeks. Ang budget, nagkulang. Nawalan ng 'work. Alam mo ba, miraculous ang house na ito, kasi no'ng ginagawa ito, wala akong work. Grabe, parang hindi totoong nangyayari. Sabi ko, 'Lord, pa'no ang pambayad ng construction?' Binibigay naman Niya, in fairness kay Lord. Nadi-delay lang nang slight, pero in fairness sa Kanya..."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

The lot on which her house stands, Ai-Ai says, she bought back in 2004. The subdivision used to be a golf course. She says she chose to live in this subdivision because it was developed by Ayala Land. "You can't go wrong with the Ayalas. Ano ba, kaya nga may Ayala Alabang, Ayala chuchu. Basta Ayala, 'yon na 'yon—pang-mayaman."

She takes pride in the absence of electrical posts in her subdivision: "Ang cable namin, sa ilalim na. So no'ng may Milenyo [the 2006 super typhoon], kami lang ang may kuryente. Ultimo Ayala Heights, wala, kasi may ano pa sila, e—poste-poste. Kami wala. Nasa ilalim ng lupa. May nakikita ba kayong poste? Di ba, wala?" And she repeats: "Pang-mayaman. Kaya pag may Milenyo, hindi affected."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

Ai-Ai says she doesn't believe in feng shui, and simply lives by the golden rule.

Her friend Malu Sevilla reveals that the house did undergo feng shui. "Pero ako, gut feel lang 'yong pampasuwerte," Ai-Ai says.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

This door leads to the living room of the house. The walls surrounding the door simulate the look and feel of rough-hewn stone.

The tiles and stones used in the house were personally brought to Ai-Ai for choosing.

"Ang tiles, dinadala dito. Ang bibigat. Hindi ako pumunta sa ano kasi nahihilo ako. Sa Home Depot 'yong mga ganyan."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

"Ako, Hindi ako nanlalamang ng kapwa. Feeling ko, hindi na kailangan ng feng shui. Don't do unto others. Magpakabait ka na lang."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

The specially designed huge wooden door behind Ai-Ai welcomes visitors to the comedienne's home. "The doors, lahat pina-design," says Ai-Ai's friend and business partner Malu Sevilla.

"Architect ang nag-design para sa kanya, parang geometric siya." The house architect is Ricky Solatorio.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

A grand wooden staircase serves as the backdrop of Ai-Ai's spacious living room. Wicker chairs and a glass-topped coffee table complete the clutter-free look.

YES! has its photo shoot just three days after Christmas, which is why a Christmas tree remains standing in the middle of the room.

Says Ai-Ai about the tree: "Alam mo, three years ko nang 'pinapangako sa sarili ko na October pa lang, may Christmas tree na ako. Diyos ko, hindi ko matupad-tupad!"

(YES! February 2008 issue)

"Ever since, sabi ko, pag nagkabahay talaga ako, 'yong ginawa from lupa to high ceiling talaga," says Ai-Ai. In the future, she plans to build something on a piece of land in her native Batangas that she inherited from her adoptive mother. "Parang gusto ko slyang gawing resort. Sa amin lang, pampamilya...pang-sports pa."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

The living room faces a set of curving glass doors and glass display windows, instead of a wall. The YES! photographer, who arrives early, actually sees the Comedy Concert Queen in the middle of cleaning one of the doors.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

Ai-Ai has no plans of building anything major on her current property. But she has plans for the land next to hers, which can be seen from her house. She wants to build a commissary for her restaurant, Ai Sarap, which at press time already had three branches.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

A round mirror and a wooden console table adorn the foyer of Ai-Ai's home.

On top of the console table are decorative scented candles. Nearby is a tiny table with a phone and a fax machine. On the day of the YES! pictorial, Ai-Ai receives a faxed message from Backroom Inc., the company that manages her, showing her schedule for the month of January. Nearly all of the days are already blocked off.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

"Series of 2004 ito," says Malu of the dining table made by sculptor Benjie Reyes. "Twelve a year lang ang ginagawa niya. Personal friend namin, kaya pinirmahan niya agad."

"Gano'n ba 'yon, Fish?" Ai-Ai asks Malu.

"Pinirmahan niya? Saan?"

"Sa ilalim," Malu answers.

"Bakit hindi ko alam?" Ai-Ai deadpans. "Ang lola mo, walang kamalay-malay sa ganyang kasosyalan."

'"Yang salamin na 'yan," adds Ai-Ai of the capiz-framed mirror, "kami ni Malu ang gumawa niyan, kami humiwa [ng mga capiz]... Kasi nakakita kami ng ganyan, grabe ang mahal—38,000 pesos." So how much does this mirror cost? "Huwag na. Secret."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

Not just the table, but also the chairs, were made by sculptor Benjie Reyes. Ai-Ai, who bought the dining set upon the recommendation of Malu, is mighty proud of the furniture. "Charus, pang-mayaman din! Ang lola mo, di ba, Hindi halatang may class? Kasi ang lola mo [referring to Malu], burgis, di ba? Kung ga'no siya kaburgis, ka-jologs ko. Sabi niya, 'Doon tayo bumili ng silya kay Benjie Reyes.' 'Yon pala, ano 'yon, famous manlililok na pang-mayaman."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

A real foodie, Ai-Ai made sure her kitchen has an impressive Anson oven, which has been built into the cabinetry. It's a spotless kitchen.

There's a dirty kitchen behind the house for the more messy stuff. Ai-Ai, by the way, is a student at the Center for Culinary Arts Manila on Katipunan Road, Quezon City. Ai-Ai says she still has one subject to take before she can graduate with a diploma in culinary arts: "Nagagalit na nga 'yong mga teacher ko. 'Ano, Ms. Ai-Ai? Kelan mo tatapusin 'yong ano?' 'Naku, Chef, pasensiya na. Hindi na nga ako natutulog, e.'"

(YES! February 2008 issue)

Brown and white are the dominant colors in one of the powder rooms. That huge rectangular thing is the sink, not a bathtub. The rectangular steel object on the left side is the faucet.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

Like many Filipino homes, this one has a nook for religious icons. The mistress of the house is a self-described religious fanatic. "Panata ko noon, Saint Jude. Ngayon, Baclaran, Manaoag. Mahilig talaga ako sa gano'n. Thankful ako, kasi maraming bagay na nangyayari sa akin na hindi ko alam kung pa'no nangyayari kagaya ng wala akong work, pero natapos kong magpatayo ng bahay. Ano tawag mo do'n, di ba? High energy na 'yon! Pang kay Lord na 'yon, hindi na pantao 'yon, di ba? Kaya naniniwala talaga ako sa higher authorities."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

From the veranda, you can see the adjoining lot on the left, which may be up for sale. Ai-Ai says she would like to buy it if she has the money for it. There, she wants to build a commissary or supply store for her restaurant chain, Ai Sarap. "Kunwari ipahintulot ni Lord, gusto ko 'yong katabi ko. 'Binibenta 'yan dati. 'Papagawa ko nang maganda."

(YES! February 2008 issue)

An old capiz window panel serves as a coffee table on the veranda.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

This vase-decorated wall faces a flight of stairs leading down to the basement.

(YES! February 2008 issue)

The subdivision's quiet atmosphere has attracted some rich Chinese-Filipinos. "Parang kami lang yata ang jologs dito. Ang katapat namin, Inglisero. 'Why are you parking your car here?' sabi ng lola, nagagalit. Mainitin ang ulo ng mga ito."

We tell Ai-Ai she should give them a dose of her own brand of English. She says she does: "'Oh well!' Gagano'n lang ako sa kanila. 'Oh, well!'"

(YES! February 2008 issue)

Tucked in one corner of the fence is an artificial waterfall bordered by shrubs and ferns of greens, reds, and yellows. "Mahilig ako sa fountain," says Ai-Ai. Her old house had a fountain as well. Now that she and her children (Sancho, 16; Sean, 14; and Sophia, 11) have moved in with her, she has given her old house to her adoptive mother.

(YES! February 2008 issue)