Actress and TV host Maine Mendoza recently marked a major milestone—her 10th "audition anniversary," commemorating the day she took the leap that jump started her showbiz career and introduced the iconic character “Yaya Dub.”
Taking to her Instagram broadcast channel, Maine reflected on her journey that began on June 19, 2015, when she auditioned for a segment of a noontime show.
“Before July 4th and 16th, June 19 was the beginning of it all. Had I not shown up that day, I wouldn't have the life I live now. And you're probably tired of hearing this, but I'll always be grateful for having the courage to show up that day, ten years ago-over fear and uncertainty, I chose to take the chance,” Maine said.
She recalled how she showed up unprepared, yet the opportunity still came.
“I may have come unprepared, but I guess all I needed was simply to be there. At that time that was enough. I was in the right place at the right time, surrounded by the right people. I'll always be grateful to the dear ones who took a chance on me. Whatever reasons they had, I'm thankful they gave the 'batang walang kalatuy-latoy' a shot,” she continued.
Maine admitted that the experience still feels surreal to this day.
“It's still surreal to think how things unfolded from that day forward. What I've done to deserve all of this -even being called to audition on the longest-running noontime show -will always be a mystery to me,” Maine expressed.
She went on: “A gift I'll forever be thankful for. My life could have gone in many directions from that point, but I'm truly grateful and happy to still be standing where it all started. Right here is where I will ALWAYS choose to be.”
On Instagram feed, Maine also shared a “then-and-now” video of her audition versus her current role as a host.
“A decade ago—where it all began. ♥️ #2015,” she simply captioned.
Aside from her audition milestone, Maine expressed her gratitude for the renewed attention being given to her 2019 film Isa Pa With Feelings with Kapamilya actor Carlo Aquino.
“It has come to my attention (wuw) that some people are only now discovering Isa Pa With Feelings. Tbh (to be honest), it brings me so much joy knowing casuals are enjoying the film, albeit 6 years late. Lol hence this random channel update :) so to everyone who enjoyed the film then and now, THANK YOU for the IPWF love and appreciation!” Maine stated.
The actress-host also revealed why she hasn’t taken on another movie project since.
“Share ko na din, one of the reasons why I've declined movie offers after Isa Pa With Feelings is bc of the fear of doing another one and failing to deliver. I am sooo proud of IPWF because of how beautifully the movie was done. I often find myself telling people, 'Maganda yung pelikula', and that it's worth a watch.”
“Typical Maine would say, 'Wag mo na panoorin' but I am just so proud of that film and will forever be! I'll never get tired of saying magandang pelikula because, just because,” she added.
The actress-host also shared the story behind the confrontation scene she had with Carlo in the film. Maine said how Carlo helped her overcome feeling anxious in doing the scene.
“I'll never forget how Caloy held my hand and how we sat in silence in the car for a few more minutes. It was one of his many ways of helping me get into my character and just be in the moment. For a literally struggling actor (lol), little gestures like that have a huge impact. He helped me in many ways (and annoyed me, too) throughout the film, and I'm really glad that he was the Gali to my Mara,” she said.
Maine even shared a fun trivia about the film’s soundtrack. She said she first heard the song “Sino” by Unique Salonga in the trailer of the 2019 film, Stranded, starring her now husband Kapamilya actor Arjo Atayde and Jessy Mendiola, but the song wasn’t used in the final cut.
“I fell in love with it the first time I heard it and immediately thought, S*** YAN NA ANG OST NG IPWF. Lol it just fits perfectly, along with JK's Buwan,” Maine revealed.
She also admitted that the recent hit “Uhaw” was also an ideal soundtrack for the film, saying, “Come 2023, hearing Uhaw by Dilaw for the first time also reminded me how it could have been a great song for IPWF, too.”
Maine ended her message with a heartfelt note: “Isa Pa With Feelings will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope it resonated with you the way it did with me. Thank you for all your love and appreciation.”
Isa Pa With Feelings, directed by Prime Cruz and produced by ABS-CBN Films' Black Sheep and APT Entertainment, follows the story of Gali (Carlo Aquino), a deaf sign language teacher who suppresses his love for dancing. He meets Mara (Maine Mendoza), an aspiring architect who recently failed her licensure exam. As they form a connection, they discover healing, unspoken understanding, and the complexities of listening to each other’s hearts.