More Maine Magic
Notching a blockbuster hit, landing more than a handful of endorsements, and enjoying the support of thousands, Maine Mendoza is, no doubt, a bonafide star.
Notching a blockbuster hit, landing more than a handful of endorsements, and enjoying the support of thousands, Maine Mendoza is, no doubt, a bonafide star.
Ask her on the secret of her success, however, and she will just shrug her shoulders as if to say, “Beats me.”
“Kami ni Alden (Richards) hindi po namin alam kung ano meron sa amin kung bakit kami nandito ngayon, kung bakit kami minahal at sinusuportahan ng mga tao,” the 21year-old admitted. “Siguro it will take me a whole lifetime
para ma-figure out kung ano meron.” Some call it magic, others say it’s x-factor, but perhaps it just might be because Maine is truly a breath of fresh air, a unique personality in a world of cliches.
“Siguro kasi ngayon lang sila nakakita ng taong pinapapangit ’yung sarili sa telebisyon, maiba lang,” Maine said.
The TV and social media celebrity may be baffled with her success and all, but she is certainly more than thankful for the experience. She is grateful to the 37-year-old “Eat Bulaga!” for giving her the life-changing chance to be where she is now. “Hindi naman po lahat nabibigyan ng oportunidad na mapabilang po (sa ‘Eat Bulaga!’). Institusyon na po ito eh, so I’m very happy and I’m very thankful (to be part of it).” She is happy to spread her brand of fun on the show. “Kasi kahit hindi ko po mismo nakikita kung pa’no ko po nagagawa ’yun, ’yung fact na napapasaya ko po sila (the audience), ’yun po ’yung purpose ko rito,” Maine said. The “Imagine You And Me” star even recalled the time she was able to cheer up a fan who has stage four cancer. “Kung hindi raw po dahil sa’kin parang lull na lang po ’yung buhay niya,” she related. “Masarap po sa feeling kapag nakakarinig ng ganu’n.” She may look confident on-screen but Maine shared it took a lot of adjustment on her part, admitting, “Medyo mahiyain po ako, medyo introvert po ako, may stage fright po ako. Hanggang ngayon po, nahihiya pa rin ako kapag humarap sa camera. Lalo na kapag may performance, parang bumabalik po ako (dun) sa (aking) simula.”
Maine didn’t even realize she could do the things she has been doing for the cameras. “Nagugulat na nga lang din
‘Hanggang ngayon po, nahihiya pa rin ako humarap sa camera. Lalo na kapag may performance, parang bumabalik po ako (dun) sa (aking) simula.’
ako,” she said. “Sa show ko na lang din nadi-discover na kaya ko palang gawin ’yung mga ganitong bagay.” She is not worried if it all ends tomorrow, realizing “lahat ng bagay may katapusan.” “Kung ano na lang po ’yung meron ngayon, du’n na lang po ako magpofocus,” the budding actress added.
Asked about the real score between her and Alden, Maine revealed they are now in the “mutual understanding (MU)” stage.
“Literal meaning po kasi ng mutual understanding ’yung meron
kami ni Alden, na nagkakaintindihan kami sa mga bagay-bagay, sa mga sentiments namin sa life,” she explained.
If and when the relationship progresses to something romantic, Maine would rather keep things private.
“Iba pa rin po kasi kapag naki-keep na private ’yung ibang mga bagay,” she shared, adding, “Not everything is meant to be shared with everyone lalo na ’yung mga serious conversations namin ni Alden.” On her ideal guy, Maine said, “Hindi ako sa physical attributes ng tao tumitingin, ugali talaga. Kailangan gentleman, magalang, mabait, at understanding.” Wait, isn’t that Alden? “Pasok sa banga! Nakikita naman po ng tao ’yung ginagawa po ni Alden sa akin, pati po sila agree diyan.” (With report from and photo by Jojo P. Panaligan)