MANILA, Philippines — Maine Mendoza said she did not expect her recent admission about falling in love with Alden Richards at the height of their AlDub pairing a decade ago would generate buzz.

The “Eat Bulaga” host and actress shared her honest thoughts on X, formerly Twitter, today about the criticism and negativity toward her and Alden after she bared her feelings in the “Tamang Panahon” podcast uploaded on the show’s YouTube channel.

“From the start, I hoped the clashes between fans on both sides would end, at least, even though the hate train aimed at me was non-stop then and apparently still remains so,” Maine wrote.

As the podcast’s name suggested, the show aims to look back at everything that happened on “Kalyeserye,” the popular segment of the noon time show where she and Alden become the phenomenal love team “AlDub.”

She and her remaining “Eat Bulaga” hosts, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Bediones and Allan K, discuss anything related to the show — personal experiences, narrativess and sentiments.

“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,” she said.

Alden has stopped appearing on the noon time show after it transferred to its new home, TV5, in 2023. Alden is a talent of Sparkle, the talent agency of GMA-7, where the noontime show was aired for a long time.

Maine said that despite Alden being no longer a part of the show, she sees no reason to exclude him in the podcast since Alden is a vital part of the Kalyeserye. He played the fictionalized version of himself who meets and falls in love with Maine’s character, YayaDub.

“It would have felt strange to leave him out,” Maine said.

At the podcast, Maine revealed that she had confessed her feelings to Alden. She said that she had always been vocal about it, and if anybody had asked, she would have affirmed it.

Maine said that she just wanted to know if he returned the feelings, but Alden never replied to her. He never courted her. In 2023, Alden shared with Boy Abunda that he “confessed” and also fell in love with Maine.

Maine said that she did not see her sharing that particular anecdote as a bad thing because there was no malice or ill intent when she shared it. She added that there are countless other stories that she chose not to share.

She reflected on why she got criticized for her truth and the truth, and even pitting her and Alden.

“And why is it when we do, some people resort to personal attacks meant to demean and harm? I get that we have supporters who aren’t really fans of the other, but why the hostility? Why pit a woman against a man, as if there’s a competition for who’s more ‘successful’? Success, in this sense, is ridiculously measured and defined by career ‘achievements’ as if our lives revolve solely around our jobs. In the grand scheme of things, what is really there to prove? All the hatred and comparisons—what for, really?”

“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? Again, in the grand scheme of things, what truly needs proving? Find your own answer. Let’s live for what makes us happy and make life less complicated and chaotic,” she said.

Maine ended by reminding people that life is short to “spew negativity online.”

“Don’t let it be your only contribution in this life. Ang dami pang pwedeng gawin sa buhay bukod sa pagiging tambay sa internet at pagiging hater. There’s another world of better things to do. Leave a better trace,” she ended.