Maine Mendoza (MNS photo)
A year since entering show business, Maine Mendoza looks at her success squarely in the eye and acknowledges it’s something she herself did not think was possible this early in her career.
“Pinangarap ko lang naman kasi talaga is lumabas sa mga billboard, magazines, lumabas sa commercials. Happy ako na nangyayari na (lahat ito),” Maine said at the press conference of hers and Alden Richards’ movie “Imagine You and Me.”
First known for her Dubsmash videos, she rose to popularity upon joining “Eat Bulaga!” as Yaya Dub. The chemistry between Alden and Maine took the country by storm, to say the least.
At this point, Maine isn’t obsessing over her popularity, whether it further waxes or suddenly wanes.
Alden Richards (MNS Photo)
“Ang main purpose ko naman kaya ko ito ginagawa ay para makapagbigay ng kasiyahan sa mga tao kasi nakikita ko sila na masaya at nai-inspire ko sila,” she said.
“Fulfilled na ako na narating ko na ’yung pangarap ko. So ini-enjoy ko na lang kung ano ’yung dinadanas ko ngayon. Mawala man ito, okay lang, masaya na si Menggay.”
Maine takes her steps one at a time. She doesn’t think too far ahead, let alone how long her tenure in the industry would be.
“Sa ngayon, as an actress, ang dami ko pang pagdadaanan,” she said. “Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko ba ito. Baka mamaya two years from now gustuhin ko ulit bumalik sa normal na buhay.”
Pressure will always be there for Maine and Alden as they take on lead roles in “Imagine You and Me.” They denied having a target gross for the movie, which was shot in Italy.
“Hindi naman po mawawala ’yung pressure kasi kahit kami kinakabahan kung ano yung kalalabasan,” she said. “Pero siguro naman ako na magiging maganda kasi pinaghirapan naming lahat.”
Alden, who was seated beside Maine, added it’s already an achievement for them to have finished the movie.
“Pinangarap po ni Mr. Tuviera (the producer) na magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng pelikula na ishu-shoot sa Italy. This is already a success for us. Sobrang hirap (at ang) dumaan kami sa butas ng karayom is already a success for us,” he said.
Maine wrote the theme song “Imagine You and Me.” It took her 15 minutes to do it.
“Sinulat ko ’yung song after kong mabasa ’yung script for the first time. Parang lumabas na lang ng kusa ’yung thoughts and feelings ko about it all kaya naging madali. Talagang damang-dama ko po ang song kaya sana madama rin ng mga tao kapag marinig nila ito.”
As she talks about love in the said song, Maine was asked if she is looking for her Mr. Right.
“Well, ako kasi, hopeless romantic ako. Naniniwala ako na there is someone out there for me na meant to spend my life with. Hindi naman ako sa naghahanap kasi naniniwala ako na darating din iyon sa tamang panahon.” (MNS)