Paolo Ballesteros stars in 2 upcoming films

Maine Mendoza marked her first anniversary in showbiz last Monday. It was on July 4 of last year when she joined “Eat Bulaga” as the yaya of Wally Bayola as Lola Nidora in the “Juan for All, All for Juan” segment. Initially, she’d only answer questions thrown at her via Dubsmash for which she first got noticed in social media

In her Instagram account, Maine recalled how she auditioned and waited if “Eat Bulaga” would call her back

Her stint in “Eat Bulaga” as Yaya Dub paved the way for Maine to realize her dream. She only wanted to see herself on a billboard, even just once. A year later, she is one of the most sought-after product endorsers together with Alden Richards and their tandem as AlDub made television history as a phenomenal loveteam, culminating in a grand event at the Philippine Arena billed as “Tamang Panahon.

Maine never fails to give credit to “Eat Bulaga” as her pathway to showbiz prominence. The one year she spent with the number one noontime show, she said, made her a better person. She conquered her fears and was able to confront many challenges. What she achieved in just one year would not have been possible had “Eat Bulaga” not opened the doors for her.

To say that 2015 is an unforgettable year for Yaya Dub is an understatement. Her pairing with Alden brought her immense popularity, translated into multi-million pesos worth of endorsements. She also did her first film “My Bebe Love” and even won an award as best supporting actress. Now, she is playing her first lead role in “Imagine You & Me” with Alden as her partner. She even wrote the lyrics of the movie’s theme song.

She admits feeling the pressure that their launching film as a tandem is opening on July 13. “But we’re confident na maganda ang movie na ginawa namin. Direk Mike Tuviera did a good job and for the first time, a local movie was shot on location in the beautiful Lake Como of Italy.  We would like to invite all our fans to watch our movie. After Tamang Panahon, this is the biggest project of our love team. We hope all of our fans will support us.”

Despite her success and popularity, Maine remains grounded. She is the first to admit that she couldn’t have made it without Alden. “It is true naman kasi na nakilala ako ng mga tao because of Alden. I am happy kung anuman ang narating ko ngayon,” said Maine, adding that she does not see herself doing a teleserye with Alden.

“Kasi po, hindi ko kayang sabayan si Alden sa acting dahil ang husay-husay niyang mag-drama. Ako, hanggang comedy lang. It is fine with me kung sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ lang ako. I am happy that I was able to fulfill my dream to become an artista tapos may solo movie kami ni Alden.”

With her popularity, Maine had her share of bad publicity and bashers who says she is not pretty, has a big mouth, a big tummy and her skin is not flawless. But she has learned to take criticisms in stride as she was oriented by Alden about showbiz intrigues. The only time she gets hurt by criticisms is when bashers drag her family into the fray. Otherwise, she keeps her cool.

“Imagine You & Me” will put to test the drawing power of AlDub. But Maine and Alden don’t want to pressure themselves. They just content themselves with the thought that they did a very good movie that will entertain their fans.

The movie also stars Jasmine Curtis Smith, Kakai Bautista and Cai Cortez. It is produced by APT Entertainment, GMA Films and M-ZET Television, Inc.

Incidentally, Maine and Alden are appearing in tonight’s episode of “Bubble Gang.” If we are not mistaken, this is the first time that the two of them are appearing in GMA’s long-running gag show.

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While his fans are eagerly waiting for Paolo Ballesteros’ return to Eat Bulaga’s Kalyeserye as one of the lolas, it seems that might not be happening anytime soon.

But Paolo’s fans need not fret. TV’s loss is movielandia’s gain. Paolo is doing the movie “Die Beautiful” for TheIdeaFirst Company of directors Jun Lana and Perci Intalan, which they plan to enter to the Metro Manila Film Festival slated this December.

“Die Beautiful” is a comedy-drama flick starring Paolo who plays the lead as a transgender woman who wants to be buried like Katy Perry. This sparks a fierce battle between her conservative Filipino-Chinese family and her well-meaning drag queen friends.

The film will be directed by Jun Lana who helmed the award-winning gay-themed movie “Bwakaw” which won for Eddie Garcia several acting awards. Direk Jun posted a photo of Paolo in his Instagram wearing his prosthetic boobs. Filming of “Die Beautiful” started last July 2.

Aside from this, Paolo is also doing the movie “Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo May Boyfriend?” that co-stars him with Anne Curtis and Dennis Trillo for Viva Films, also to be directed by Jun Lana.  (FREEMAN)