Before they hit it big in showbiz, comedians Ai-Ai de las Alas and Arnell Ignacio started as regular performers at the legendary sing-along bar Music Box, along Timog Avenue in Quezon City in the mid-'80s, where some of the finest comedy artists also had their humble beginnings.
After more than a year, before the EDSA Revolution took place in February 1986, Music Box transferred to its long-time address along Timog Avenue corner Quezon Avenue, in the building owned by the De Dios family. “Maybe Boss Wowie saw something in me. Pinabalik ako and offered me to become a sing-along master at Music Box. At that time, I was also performing at Minus One Bar in Agoncillo [in Malate]. Taga-bigay lang ako ng mike doon. Kailangan ko lang ng pera.”
The next time De las Alas went to Music Box, she was offered by De Dios to become a sing-along host, which she turned down right away. Ignacio was later paired with De las Alas onstage. “Kami lang dalawa ni Ai-Ai ang nag-start sa Music Box. Pinaka-una kaming performers doon.” “Magaling din siya sa negosyo niya. He could balance everything he did. I would say he was way ahead of his time. Ang humor niya very ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Nakikita niya sa amin noon ‘yun. Kami ni Ai-Ai at ni Sonny.”
Their take home pay nightly was P200, but De las Alas and Ignacio would usually earn more from gratuity from customers who frequented Music Box. “Hindi sila in when they didn’t go to Music Box. Napakayaman ng roster ng personalities at Music Box. Ang saya. Palaging puno ng tao.” Eventually, he also started to perform in other night haunts like Cosmo in Greenhills, San Juan. De Dios had no qualms about giving his blessing to Ignacio for the latter to move on.
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