Mario & Baifern drive Cebuanos crazy

MANILA, Philippines - Thai superstars Mario Maurer and Baifern Pimchanok are no longer strangers to Filipino adulation, the repeat visitors that they are to the Philippines since becoming celebrity ambassadors for the clothing brand Penshoppe. And yet, the stars — whose tandem shot to popularity all over Asia via their 2010 hit rom-com Crazy Little Thing Called Love — were still surprised and overwhelmed by the huge turnout at the 2014 Penshoppe FanCon last Aug. 17, held this time in Cebu, where the now-global brand Penshoppe had its beginnings in 1986.

The Cebuano crowd at The Ayala Terraces (estimated to be 10,000) went crazy over the Thai heartthrob, with his ready supply of Tagalog phrases and ample display of heart signs, and the sweet-faced beauty with her soft-spoken ways.

Mario, whose 2013 movie Pee Mak is Thailand’s highest-grossing film to date (and one of Asia’s biggest blockbusters of all time) was obviously more at home; after all, he’s been to the country in more occasions than Baifern, not only for Penshoppe, but also for a movie, the 2012 Suddenly It’s Magic with Erich Gonzales. He said that while he doesn’t really get to hang out with his former co-stars whenever he’s here due to work commitments, he is updated about them because he follows them on social media. Mario also enjoys shopping here and knows his Pinoy food like the lechon, balut and his favorite, the adobo.

Away from the crowd and the cameras, both Mario, 25, and Baifern, 21, were still endearing and easy to deal with — no airs at all, according to event insiders.

But small surprise really. When asked by the Cebu media how he handles fame, Mario shared an advice from a Thai comedian that he takes to heart: “He told me that the more you get famous, the more you have to act small… When you think you’re small, you will be okay.”

With the success of the FanCon in Cebu, who knows, it could be the start of Penshoppe flying more of its international brand ambassadors (among them, Ed Westwick, Ian Somerhalder, Josh Bowman, One Direction, Zac Efron) to Cebu or other parts of the country aside from Manila.

Meantime, here are excerpts from our interview with Mario and Baifern (she spoke with the help of an interpreter) held at Shangri-La Mactan Resort:

On endorsing the Filipino brand Penshoppe and their personal style:

Baifern: I’m very happy to be an endorser for Penshoppe and the clothes are very easy to wear… (I love) any clothes that give me confidence.

Mario: I’m really a jeans person. It’s comfortable and it’s tough, I can sit anywhere. When I go to events, Penshoppe has many clothes for me whether casual or not. Yes, I use Penshoppe in Thailand… I’ve worked with Penshoppe for quite a long time. I really wear Penshoppe every day. I like the jeans very much. I’m very happy to be endorser of Penshoppe because it’s a Filipino brand. To be part of it is an honor.

On fashion mistakes/regrets:

Baifern: Definitely, (I had fashion boo-boos). When I was younger, trying to put things together myself, of course, I had picked clothes that might have not matched together. Now, I have a manager, and a lot of people to style my outfits so it’s better.

Mario: For me, I have that feeling (of being unfashionable), too. I like fashion but sometimes, I go quite into it that sometimes I wear (stuff) that are not good together or over-the-top or not suited to the job I have to do or the event (I attend). Looking back, I remember wearing hip-hop style clothes, shirt is big, jeans are baggy, with cap. I look back and it makes me laugh. But in that period of time, it was very cool, but now, it doesn’t suit my job as an actor.

On their popularity among Filipino fans:

Baifern: It’s difficult to explain. It’s really unexpected. We know the movie Crazy Little Thing Called Love was popular in so many countries, and yes, Philippines was one of them. Since then and till now, the fans of the movie, still follow me on Instagram and my other works. And every time I’m here, (I) always get big support from the fans. It’s hard to say why or how, you can’t just explain it in words, it’s something beyond that. I’m really just impressed and thankful for that.

Mario: For me, I’m very surprised, too, because I’m from Thailand and we did a Thai movie that became famous here. Just like what Fern said, every time we come here, the fans always give a warm welcome, they would come to the airport to meet us…Sometimes, they pinch me, a little bit (hahaha). Yeah, they try to kiss me, so I kiss them back (hahaha). For me, it’s very surprising! My bestfriend is Filipino, his name is Bam, and he himself is surprised, too. He always says, he never thought I’d be famous in his hometown.

On the fun and challenges of being a celebrity:

Baifern: Before, I was just an ordinary girl, I could just go out wearing anything. Right now, I have to pay more attention to my looks. Not that I have to dress up very nicely but I have to put effort into it. At least, when the fans see me, they feel happy.

Mario: Acting is a very wonderful job. Every day is not the same work experience. The difficult part is sometimes, you don’t have your freedom. But I had that feeling at the very beginning (only). I had my first movie when I was 18. When I go around, my friends don’t get it that people know me. Sometimes, they have to wait for me (while I accommodate requests for a picture) when we go shopping… Sometimes, I just want to have my freedom but I understand what’s going on. So, now, I stop for a few seconds if they (fans) want to take my picture; it’s okay with me.

On how they ended up in showbiz:

Baifern: I never thought I would become an actress! I used to watch them on TV, just be one of the viewers and it felt good watching them. Now it’s different. I’m now the one in the TV monitor. It’s actually a lot more difficult — like falling in love and hugging each other (on TV) — yeah it looks nice on TV but it’s actually hard work... Now, my plan is really to be the best at what I do and hopefully, I get to be better each day in my acting career. 

Mario: For me, I never had any dreams of working (as an actor). Never! From the very start, when my mom opened a gas station and I was filling in the gas, people were saying, this boy kind of looks like European or something (Note: Mario is part-Chinese, Thai and German), so they started calling me for casting in commercials. If I weren’t in showbiz, I would be working with my mom or still studying or working with the family business. But right now, I’ve embraced acting.

On how they spend their leisure time:

Baifern: I have a very tight schedule but when I have free time, I try to spend time with my family. They’re my priority and my dog (named) Moona.

Mario: I ride motorcycles with my friends. I take care of my cars. Yeah, I collect cars, the miniature ones and the real ones. I don’t have that many (cars) but I maintain them very well.

On being idolized and considered role models: 

Baifern: (Being a role model) is not difficult... I might have to think through (things) more than the ordinary people or someone not popular. But then again, I’m not perfect myself, I want my fans to see that and nobody is perfect. If they like me the way I am, then that’s the best.

Mario: I don’t think I’m an idol for anyone. I just try to do what I like, and sometimes I have to be careful like what Fern said, because the kids and the younger boys want to follow us, so I have to do something that’s not bad. But it’s not so hard for me.