Despite her busy schedule, Maine Mendoza makes sure that she has time for her supporters.
On May 6, fans of the Eat Bulaga mainstay organized a surprise party for Maine at the Whiterock Waterpark and Beach Hotel in Subic, Zambales. Several guests attended the party, which included some of Maine’s family and closest friends.
The party — aptly titled Maine @ 22: A Sky Full of Stars, a reference to a song by Maine’s favorite band Coldplay — served as a belated birthday celebration for Maine, who turned 22 in March, and was also meant to commemorate Maine’s second year in show business. The TV host-actress first appeared in Eat Bulaga in July 2015.
Part of the celebration was the members of the Solid Maine United fans club, organizers of the event, performing song-and-dance numbers for Maine. The party’s highlight, however, was the launch of sky lanterns by the Subic beachfront.
According to Gwen Gencianos of Solid Maine United, the group decided to hold a beach party because they “know that Maine is very fond of the beach.”
“Nakita naming na stressed si Maine lately lalo na sa everyday taping niya. So we decided na i-push na talaga,” she said.
The group held a Coachella-themed surprise birthday party for Maine last year. “For that party, her wish na tinupad naman was to receive a lot of birthday cakes, pangarap n’ya yun kahit hindi pa siya artista,” she added.
This year, they decided to fulfill Maine’s wish of flying sky lanterns.
“The objective why we did this was because, hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin niya na-a-absorb yung lahat sa showbiz. She still can’t believe na she has supporters, so the birthday parties, a once a year activity where we show how much we love her,” Gwen said. “We treasure every moment with Maine kasi yung time n’ya is very, very precious. It’s really a wonderful opportunity.”
Maine turned emotional as she expressed her gratitude and love for the fans who have been supporting her since she joined showbiz. She also offered the party to Raz Alfaro, a member of the Solid Maine United who passed away last March.
“Habang-buhay kong i-te-treasure itong binibigay at ginagawa ninyo sa akin kahit wala na kayo isa-isa,” she said.
Maine added, “Let’s be real here — tatanda rin tayong lahat. Pwedeng phase lang din ito ng buhay natin. Pero gusto kong malaman n’yo na sobrang thankful ako na napaggdaanan ko ito and I got to share this with all of you.”
The surprise beach party was only one of the three belated birthday parties organized by fans that Maine attended.
In March, various fan groups organized a birthday party for her at The Tent in Acacia Estates, Taguig City.
Members of the fans groups performed for Maine — but the highlight of the event was the viewing of that night’s episode of Destined To Be Yours.
Alden Richards, her Destined To Be Yours co-star and Eat Bulaga co-host, was not able to make it to the event due to a prior commitment but nonetheless sent his best wishes for Maine via a video message, much to the delight of the fans.
Maine’s parents Teodoro and Mary Ann Mendoza thanked the fans that painstakingly organized the event for their daughter.
“Salamat sa mga nagbigay ng oras para sa birthday celebration ni Maine,” Teodoro said. “Ang birthday wish ko kay Maine, sana yung health niya, huwag niyang pababayaan, sana maayos lagi ang kanyang kalusugan. At sana, lagi siyang ligtas.”
He added, “At sana, huwag kang makakalimot sa iyong pinagmulan at pinagdaanan. Lagi kang magpapasalamat.”
“Gusto kong magpasalamat sa inyo at sa pangalawang pagkakataon e andito na naman po kami upang i-celebrate pa ang kanyang birthday at second year sa show business,” Mary Ann told the fans. “Masaya po kami dahil hindi kayo nagsasawa mula sa unang taon hanggang ngayon. Sana po ay huwang ninyong pagsawaan ang suporta n’yo sa AlDub.”
Last month, Maine attended another fan-organized birthday party titled Sparkling 22 at the Manila Hotel.
Alden was able to attend the party and gave a short but heartfelt message for Maine.
“Wala naman tayong dapat patunayan sa iba,” he said. “Kumbaga, nagkita tayo for a reason.”
Alden added, “On behalf of every one, we love you. Ako, andito lang ako para sa iyo.”
As always, Maine remains humble even as she continues to reserve overwhelming support from her fans — supporters who she already consider as important people in her life.
“Tama nga talaga yung sinasabi ni Alden na time is the greatest gift you can give to someone. Saka, syempre love. Nakakatuwa isipin na kayong lahat na andito ngayon, talagang naglaan kayo ng oras para ma-celebrate yung birthday ko. Malaking bagay para sa akin yun,” she said.
In addition, she said, “Ewan ko, nahihirapan pa rin talaga akong isipin kung bakit ba talaga ako andito. Pero sobrang thankful ako sa suporta n’yo po at pagmamahal n’yo sa amin ni Alden mula simula hanggang ngayon. Sana patuloy n’yo po kaming suportahan sa mga gagawin po namin in the future. Maraming salamat po talaga. Maraming salamat sa oras, sa suporta, at pagmamahal. Thank you, AlDub you all.”
Maine’s fans have a lot to look forward to this year. Besides her ongoing GMA soap opera, she is also slated to do a movie later this year with Alden — follow up to the hit 2016 movie Imagine You and Me. She is also working on her first book, to be published by Summit Media.
