Maine Mendoza in touch with reality

I started following Maine Mendoza’s Dubsmash compilation videos three years ago. It was summer and she wasn’t part of the noontime show Eat Bulaga yet.

To say her videos, which mostly featured impersonations of Kris Aquino, were funny is an understatement, they didn’t become viral for no reason. 

When she began appearing on TV as Yaya Dub and subsequently as the other half of the phenomenal love team, AlDub, people who religiously followed her videos and shared them online were glad. At the same time, they accepted the fact that they wouldn’t be able to see her Dubsmash videos quite often. None of them complained, they even welcomed this new change with open arms since they would be seeing more of Maine, not just on social media, but on national TV as well. 

Next month, Maine will celebrate her third year in the longest running noontime variety program. Looking back, it’s nice to see how Maine has evolved from the timid Yaya Dub of “Kalyeserye” into a spontaneous and engaging host in “Sugod Bahay” segment of “Juan for All, All for Juan.”

“At first I was really nervous but they gave me enough time to absorb everything. It’s a big adjustment for me but I received a lot of help and good advice from the people I work with. They know when to intervene and to give support when I am having a hard time,” the 23-year-old TV personality recalled.

She further said that when she was just starting in the business, during the time when she did not do talking lines for three months and only communicated through songs that she lip-synced on national television, it somehow prepared her for the job ahead. She was able to observe how co-hosts Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros, collectively known as JoWaPao, work together on screen.

Obviously, Maine has found her niche in hosting. From Monday to Saturday, she and JoWaPao are out in different barangays and other locations to deliver special gifts and cash prizes to lucky dabarkads. They’ve been out in the sun, crossed rivers, and even traveled to remote places.

Now, the question is: How long will she provide this kind of “isang libo’t isang tuwa” to the show’s loyal following?

Maine said her regular hosting gig in “Sugod Bahay” gave her a newfound passion for hosting. She sees herself doing this profession for a long time and is looking forward to meeting more people and making the audience happy. 

“I want to be in touch with reality and this is one way of doing it. I also want to try other things and I’m excited with what I’ll be doing in the future. Right now, I see myself doing this for a long time. This is what I want to do -- hosting. I can’t imagine myself leaving ‘Juan for All’ or Eat Bulaga. I see myself doing this every day because I love my job and the people I work for and work with,” she stated.

According to her, being out every day and meeting new faces from different walks of life were all new to her. “To be honest, I’m not used to this new environment but I love connecting with people. I want to know their stories and what they are going through.”

Maine added that the people she meets made her re-evaluate what’s important in life and also taught her the value of hard work and to be grateful always. 

“I learned that life is hard and sometimes extra difficult for some. I’ve seen the real picture and I realized that I am so blessed to have been given a complete family, supportive friends and a career. We all know that this blessing came by me so fast, so I try to be grateful always,” she concluded.