What’s something about Alden
that your fans might not know?
Do you really wanna know? [laughs]
Siguro ‘yung pagiging maharot
niya. Back then, Alden seemed so
reserved. Hindi mo aasahan na kalog
pala, na goofy din pala siya.
You graduated with a degree
in Hotel and Restaurant
Management, majoring in
Culinary Arts. Do you still indulge
that passion?
Actually, that was never my
passion. I chose that course to see
if it was, because before college,
there was a point na hindi ko alam
kung anong gusto kong gawin sa
buhay. I asked myself, “What’s
meant for me?” But after my six-
month internship, I realized it
wasn’t for me, and that’s okay.
How has your family supported
you throughout your career?
They’ve been very supportive in
every step I take, in every move I
make... Kakanta na ako, eh! They’ve
never been against any of my
decisions, which I like. “Lucky for
you, that’s what I like.” [laughs]
They trust my decisions kahit alam
nilang 22 pa lang ako.
As a celebrity, you have to
navigate your 20s in the public
eye. You’re finding yourself while
everyone’s watching. What is that
experience like?
Mahirap. Kasi parang every step
I take, every move I make...
Ayan na naman! Everybody has
something to say. Everybody
always has something to comment
on. Ang hirap kumilos, at mahirap
magpakatotoo sa mundong ito. But
I stand my ground because that’s
what brought me to this career
path in the first place—me being
myself. Kaya hinding hindi ko
babaguhin ‘yun.
When life becomes too over-
whelming, what do you do to
relax and get back on track?
I go to the beach when my handler
gives me time off. Si Michael
Uycoco, pwede paki-mention?
[laughs] If there’s not enough time
to go, I write my thoughts down. I
still love to write. I keep everything
in a folder in my computer.Can you picture yourself in the
industry in the next ten years?
Honestly? We’ll see. If God’s
plan for me is to continue in this
industry, why not? If not, eh ganun
talaga. C’est la vie.If you weren’t an actress,
what would you be doing with
your life?
Magiging janitor po ako. Kasi po sa
barangay, lagi akong nag-i-is-is.
[laughs] Kidding aside, I originally
wanted to be a flight attendant. My
plan was to apply right away after
graduation.If you could have full creative
control over your next project,
what would you work on?
I would want to be behind the
scenes for once. Ako naman po ang
magsusulat ng storya. Since I’m a
hopeless romantic, gusto ko mala-
Nicholas Sparks. A romantic movie,
but one that makes sense!Cosmo is turning 20 this year.
What would you say to 20-year-
old Maine?
Grabe, that was just two years ago.
I guess all I can say is thank you for
uploading that Dubsmash video. If
you didn’t, you wouldn’t be where
you are now. At hindi ka magiging
cover girl ng Cosmo!The photo shoot wraps at 10:30
PM, and Maine is back in the
makeup room, chatting with her
entourage. The team is reminiscing
excitedly, their words falling all
over one another, about their days
in New York—Maine’s favorite
city—for the Kalyeserye concert
just a few weeks back. There isn’t
a dry eye in the house, but only
because everybody’s laughing so“[Sa teleserye,]
sinubok ang
lahat sa akin. Isa
‘to sa biggest
challenges ko
sa showbiz. I’ve
learned that a
soap opera is the
ultimate baptism
of fire for any
actress.”
hard they’re crying. Maine surrounds
herself with happiness and cheer,
presumably so she can pass on that
same energy to her fans.
And this, again, is the inexplicable
magic of Maine Mendoza: She’s the
funny girl, the goofy girl, but she’s
also mindful and aware. She knows
what she’s doing, even if you can
tell she doesn’t perceive herself as a
superstar —it’s almost like the thought
has never even crossed her mind.
While most stars who get discovered
via social media hit a saturation point
before eventually going off the radar,
she’s been playing her cards right,
and it looks like she’s got a winning
hand. Because in a world where
everybody’s clamoring for their 15
seconds of fame, Maine simply walks
in, does the work, and lets her talent
speak for itself. (TOP) NEON ISLAND. (TROUSERS) PATTY ANG. (SHOES) CHARLES & KEITH. (EARRINGS) KEN SAMUDIO.24 Cosmopolitan • MAY 2017 WWW.COSMO.PH