IT'S been three years since Jake Cuenca has given up on booze. Proudly, he's now a teetotaler.

His struggle towards teetotalism, however, wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Admittedly, his first year of trying to shun alcoholism proved to be an acid test to the extent of his perseverance.

Came the following year, Jake wasn't still sure if he would allow drinking get the better of him — most especially in times when depression would set in.

It was on the third year when the 34-year-old actor said with finality, "I won't drink ever again!"

In fairness, Jake took pride in the fact that even when inebriated, he made sure he observed utmost sobriety. Hardly was there ever a time that he had displayed a violent or belligerent behavior.

Without dropping names, Jake is currently working on a project alongside an actor-friend of many years.

Like Jake in the past, his co-star differs in the sense that he's the former's exact opposite.

His co-star gets easily angered even by the slightest provocation, only to realize afterwards what total mess he has terribly become.

Wonder what piece of advice Jake imparts to him, or he just doesn't care.

But good for Jake who has now turned to sips after sips of wine instead.

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COMEDY Concert Queen Ai Ai de las Alas turned 60 yesterday, and she can't be any prouder!

She had a simple advance birthday celebration though on "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" weeks earlier.

It was to be Ai Ai's joint gig with the main host, her career adviser.

Boy saw fit to feature the ace comedienne in "My Mother, My Story."

In the interview, Ai Ai shared having known two mothers while growing up: Gloria (her biological mom) and Justa (her adoptive parent). Both are already gone but Ai Ai looks back as she relishes her beautiful yet disciplined life with them with fondness.

For the most part of her life, it was Mama Justa who bore witness to Ai Ai's share of life ups and downs.

In effect, the parenting ways of her adoptive mom had rubbed off on her — applying them herself on her children Sancho, Nicolo and Sophia.

Ai Ai is never shy to confess, "Masakit ako magsalita sa mga anak ko pag galit ako (I'm capable of saying hurtful words whenever I'm angry with them)!"

But like any parent who realizes his fault, "I apologize to them afterwards. I meet with them and explain why what they did got me angry. Only then would my kids realize I had a point."

Sizing up what kind of kids they've amazingly become proves to be an understatement to Ai Ai's no-nonsense modern-day approach to mothering.

"I believe there are no clear-cut rules, it's all dependent on every child. Let's face it, not all siblings born to a single mom are exactly alike in many ways," the now-senior citizen quips.