Maine Mendoza: From yaya to restaurateur
In just two years, Maine Mendoza already has a fast food chain branch. Fly Ace Corp./Released
MANILA, Philippines — In only two years, Maine Mendoza rose from being “Yaya Dub” in “Eat Bulaga!,” to carving her own name in Tinsel Town outside of AlDub, her love team with Alden Richards.
In just two years, she has become not only the country’s “Dubsmash Queen” but also the so-called “Endorsement Queen” that surpassed previous title holders like Kris Aquino and Anne Curtis in number of endorsements. Maine’s endorsements range from food to clothes, beauty products, and even gadgets and vehicles.
Last Tuesday night, Maine has been launched again as endorser, this time, of family-owned canned goods brand Jolly, which celebrates its second decade in the Philippines.
Abigail Ng-Reyes, Assistant Vice President for Marketing of Jolly’s manufacturer, Fly Ace Corp., said they chose Maine because she is arguably the country’s jolliest celebrity and since Maine is a graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.
“Purposely, ‘di ko s’ya binibilang, so hindi ko po alam kung ilan na ‘yung endorsements ko ngayon. Pero s’yempre nakakatuwa na ang dami ko na palang ineendorse na product kasi ang daming nagtitiwala sa’kin na brands,” Maine told reporters.
Although busy with “Kalye Serye” on “Eat Bulaga!," she said she still cooks “kasi sayang naman ‘yung pinag-aralan ko kung hindi ako magluluto!”
Jolly, which claims to offer the widest range of canned vegetables in the market, has been a staple in Maine’s kitchen, especially mushrooms. “Kasi sa family ko talaga, we love mushrooms. Wala pong halong kasinungalingan ‘yan, kahit i-check n’yo po ‘yung kitchen cabinet namin!”
Among her comfort food are mushrooms sautéed with butter.
Ever since she deactivated her Twitter account before she went to Maldives last June, Maine now has more time to pursue other passions such as blogging and cooking.
“Iba kasi ‘yung social media eh. Social media talaga ‘yung ground ko kaya para sa’kin, ang laki talaga ng adjustment n’ung mapunta ako dito sa showbiz industry. Pero kaya naman kasi ‘di pa rin nawawala ‘yung connection ko with social media,” she shared.
She believes that her social media mileage is an “unexpected success,” but for those who want to be equally triumphant in the field, she advised: “Just explore new things. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Siguro ganun na lang kasi ganun din ‘yung ginawa ko!”
She is still on “Twitter break,” but she does not want to permanently deactivate her account. “Wala pang definite date, pero ‘di ko naman s’ya as in iiwan permanently.”
She never felt so liberated ever since she took time away from Twitter. “Masaya! Masaya kasi parang break din from negativity and issues.”
Likewise, she is taking some time off from doing soap operas. “Teleserye? Siguro in 15 years pa!” she enthused.
How was her first teleserye experience? “Okay naman po s’ya. Siguro marami lang akong dapat gawing adjustments kasi hindi naman po ako sanay sa ganun, pero madami naman pong naging new experiences and new friends!”
In just two years, Maine was able to save enough to build her own fast food chain branch in her hometown, Bulacan.
Her second anniversary wish, according to her is “Hopefully po sana nandito pa rin. Sana po nagpapaligaya pa rin ng tao at sana po ay marami pa pong mapapaligaya.”
What is the greatest lesson she has learned from showbiz so far? “Hindi lahat ng taong kaharap mo totoo sa’yo!”
From left: Lucio Cochanco Jr., President-Fly Ace Corporation; new Jolly endorser Maine Mendoza; Ramon Daez, Fly Ace Gen. Manager, and Abigail Ng-Reyes, AVP for Marketing. Fly Ace Corp./Released
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