Maxine Medina gives in to showbiz’s call

Maxine Medina was a reluctant star at the beginning of her beauty pageant career. The interior designer admitted she didn’t feel beautiful enough to land a big break in a high profile industry.

But all those fears were proven wrong when she finally gave in to the prodding of the people around her. After winning in the Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 title and participating in the Miss Universe pageant, she could no longer ignore show business’ siren call.

“I knew I had to try it already because offers were pouring in and I realized I may belong here since I have a family who is already in the business. And I am glad I tried because I am having so much fun. Everyone is so nice and helpful,” said the beauty queen.

Maxine makes it clear that she is also prepared for showbiz controversies. “I have had my share of difficulties. Remember the bashing on social media that I experienced before? Unknown to a lot of people, I was a victim of bullying in high school. So I think I know how to handle controversies,” she said with a big beautiful smile.

“Spirit of the Glass 2: The Haunted” is dubbed as the scariest movie of 2017 and is opening in cinemas November 1, the spookiest time of the year.

Directed by master storyteller Jose Javier Reyes (who was also behind the successful “Spirit of the Glass” in 2004), the 2017 version of the winning franchise focuses on the riveting storyline of three beautiful ladies of the new millennium – Bea, a stylist and fashion editor (played by Cristine Reyes), Lisette, an actress and diva (played by Maxine who is being introduced in the movie) and Chelsea, a commercial and advertising model (played by actress and TV host Ashley Ortega).

Also in the cast are Benjamin Alves, Daniel Matsunaga and Enrico Cuenca who is also being introduced in the movie.

Direk Joey said he and his young cast had fun doing the horror flick. “We gave them a workshop to get to know each other since they were playing a barkada of young professionals and I think they bonded a wee bit too much. They ended up being the most makulit set of actors on the set. But not a single one had a diva moment nor made life difficult for me and the staff. Despite the hectic working schedule, this was one fun set,” he said.

“Spirit of the Glass 2: The Haunted” is produced by OctoArts Films in association with T-Rex Entertainment.

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Star Circuit met Maxine twice this week. First was at the Sneak Preview of famed clothing brand Bench which had a special peek for the press of their much-awaited underwear fashion show. Then we met her again at the press conference for the female stars of “Spirit of the Glass 2.”

Maxine was introduced as among the new celebrity endorsers of Bench and will be one of the many hot babes sashaying on the ramp when the famed clothing brand celebrates its 30th anniversary via its much-awaited fashion show titled “Under The Stars, the Bench 30th Anniversary Show” held on Monday at Ibiza VIP Club at Bonifacio Global City.

It was a hot afternoon made even hotter by the presence of sexy ladies and cool dudes who sashayed on the ramp wearing undergarments and feeling sexy while the media and VIP guests clicked away on their cameras.

Other celebrity endorsers were Beauty Gonzales (who didn’t seem happy walking down the runway), Bianca King (She had the media members asking why she was in the lineup. She is not sikat.), and Kapuso hotties Sanya Lopez and Kim Domingo.

Among the new male celebrity endorsers are Albie Casiño, Addy Raj, Kiko Estrada, Bruno Gabriel Santos (a leading man material), David Licauco, former MMA champion and fighter Mark Striegl and Kapamilya hunk Marco Gumabao.

What they did on the ramp is just the tip of the iceberg as more sexy celebrities and hot dudes will heat up the Mall of Asia Arena on November 18 when Bench’s “Under the Stars” presents another memorable evening of underwear fashion and more.