After the success of her previous song “Kakayanin Kaya,” Maymay Entrata dropped her timely sophomore single “I Love You 2” as tribute to her beloved home network, ABS-CBN. The title is a creative wordplay hinting at how much she values her second home commonly referred to by fans as Channel 2. And as the ode starts playing, its music and words trigger a rollercoaster of emotions mainly that of nostalgia and hope upon the mention of iconic Kapamilya teleseryes and characters, and the positive impact they left on the hearts of Filipino viewers.
Maymay considers the opportunity to carry this banner song for the Kapamilya Network as truly an honor. “Bilang isang laking Kapamilya po ako, “I Love You 2” ibig sabihin mahal ko ang Channel 2,” she said after expressing her gratitude to the ensemble that created the touching piece.
Maymay’s stories about her love for ABS-CBN would prompt everyone to look back on her humble beginnings as Pinoy Big Brother housemate. Then, it would become clear why she is the perfect choice to interpret the song. Maymay is not just a certified Kapamilya artist but a fan as well. It began during her childhood years in the province wherein she’d get engrossed in the network’s programming like Mara Clara, Got to Believe, and May Bukas Pa.
“Kapag naririning ko ‘yung kanta, nagiging emosyonal ako kasi bumabalik sa akin, dati na kasama ko pa ‘yung pamilya ko sinusubaybayan namin ‘yung mga shows ng ABS-CBN,” she reminisced. Maymay is proud of how her home studio still manages to extend aid and inspiration despite its own struggles. Such sense positivity and unwavering hope are what she wishes to impart through “I Love You 2.” She faithfully uttered, “Tayo’y babalik muli.”
As a fangirl
Viewers have witnessed Maymay’s intense fangirling moments over Kapamilya stars inside the PBB house. There was an episode where she almost ‘fainted’ at her ultimate crush Enrique Gil’s surprise visit. It was a genuine and totally adorable sight of a fangirl’s dream finally taking shape.
WATCH: Maymay Entrata’s Pinoy Big Brother Journey
Her Cinderella story inside the Bahay ni Kuya came to a happy ending when she was hailed as the season’s Big Winner and took her spot in showbiz. Even if she is now an artista, Maymay’s inner fanatic still never sleeps. She still gets starstruck at times and she’s never too shy to ask for photos with celebrities.
READ: Maymay hailed as PBB Lucky Season 7 Big Winner
Maymay vividly remembers how the sights of Gary Valenciano and Angel Locsin dazzled her for real. She grew up listening to Gary’s love songs. She admires Mr. Pure Energy for the way he keeps his feet on the ground despite the massive success and his deep sense of spirituality, the way he gives back to God.
Maymay was admittedly stunned when she met Angel in person. It is so easy to be in awe of any Kapamilya leading lady but Angel made a strong impact on the then-protostar. “Tanda ko pa ‘yung sinabi niya sa’kin. ‘Huwag kang magbabago. Alam kong bago sa’yo ‘to, nao-overwhelm ka pero huwag mong kalimutan kung saan ang pinanggalingan mo. Huwang mong kalimutan ‘yung mga naging kaibigan mo dati ‘tsaka ‘yung mga fans mo, lagi mo silang i-appreciate.”
If Maymay simply can’t resist going crazy over her ultimate idols, there are also artists who stan her simplicity and hilarious antics. In a recent interview for Kapamilya Chat, seasoned actress Maja Salvador looked back on unleashing her inner fanatic for Maymay.
WATCH: Maja re-enacts Maymay’s funny reaction to her photo op request
The latter confirmed the incident, trying not to laugh at her reaction on that moment. “Hindi ko alam na siya ‘yun. Concert ‘yun ng Hashtags. Naka-blindfold pa ako tapos may humawak sa kamay ko,” Maymay narrated. From being each other’s admirers, they became friends and showbiz sisters. Maymay revealed that Maja’s typical kontrabida role in the small screen is a sharp contrast to her authenticity in real life, calling her a genuine humanitarian.
Maymay would admit that Maja is one of those few people who she couldn’t say no to. “Si Miss Maja lang ang nakakapag-invite sa akin sa labas,” confessed the pretty homebody. And just recently, she received numerous pairs of shoes from her. “’Yung mga sapatos na ginagamit niya ‘pag nagsasayaw siya. Siguro tanda niya pa dati noong pumunta yata kami ng Star Magic sa Singapore, magkapareho kami ng size tapos wala kasi akong sapatos kaya pinahiram niya ako.” The funny gal further joked on how the shoes might help her groove like Maja on the ASAP stage.
While nothing makes her happier than hardcore fangirling, Maymay clarified that she knows how to set boundaries and respect her fellow artists’ privacy, so she considers it a bonus if a celebrity expresses interest to make friends with her.
Besides her long stint inside the PBB house, Maymay lists down her trips with fellow artists abroad as amongst her most favorite Kapamilya experiences. More than just exploring the other parts of the world with big stars, each out-of-the-country event becomes memorable because of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) showing them warm appreciation. Maymay thought of the OFWs as the most ‘emotional’ supporters, which she totally understands. As a daughter of an OFW, she is aware of how family-oriented Pinoys battle with homesickness. And as an actress, she knows she holds the power to make these longing overseas workers smile and forget the lonesomeness, so she uses them as motivation to excel.
Love from Home
As part of Star Magic’s commitment to making a stand this pandemic by feeding hungry families, the talent agency launched the “Love From Home” digital catalogue which aims to raise funds for the ABS-CBN “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” program.
Each artist was required to produce their own photos shot in the comfort of their own home. It was a test of innovativeness and creativity for most stars. Maymay Entrata was admittedly challenged with the concept. She said they were required to shoot a series of glam photos and barefaced looks all by their own.
And while she struggled with being an all-around model slash one-woman production team, the results of Maymay’s self-made pictorial were all stunning. She exuded a minimalist yet glamorous appeal in her woke-up-like this look that fans couldn’t help but say “sana all.” One of her entries displayed a glimpse of her morning routine wherein she was shown taking her cup of joe in the kitchen.
The experience fuelled Maymay’s appreciation for people hustling behind-the-scenes, saying she gained full grasp of how difficult it is to execute an entire pictorial or production. “Hindi madali ginagawa nila, lalo na doon san nag-iisip ng concept. Ang hirap pala kunin ‘yung best shot na tamang timpla na sumasang-ayon sa konsepto na gusto mo.” But with the help of her two best friends or companions at home, Maymay was able to nail her task.
Painting
Sharing what she’s been up to during this quarantine period, Maymay said she’s been busy unlocking new skills while working for ASAP and on her other showbiz commitments. Through optimism and discipline, she’s getting close to completely adapting to the new normal policies. Maymay feels relieved seeing the ASAP production handles everything with extreme caution. A rapid test was done before they resumed taping.
More so, she thanks the universe for the advancement of technology, for it allows her to still connect with her family in Camiguin and her OFW mom in Japan while she’s in a condominium unit in Quezon City with her cousin and best friend.
On the new skills she was able to discover, Maymay revealed she’s trying her hands at painting. The young actress has long been fascinated with the arts. She remembers running to the nearest mall as a student to witness different art launching events, and she had to make do with just taking photos of the displayed paintings because she can’t afford one.
Maymay does not want to call herself a painting virtuoso. She’s simply trying to unload her anxieties by expressing herself through colors and images. She already finished one painting, which is now displayed on the wall in her room.
“Para sa akin, hindi talaga maganda pero ramdam ko naman na nandoon ‘yung peace at freedom. Na-achieve ko naman ‘yung feeling na ‘yun, medyo kailangan lang i-improve,” she said, trying to downplay her artistic skills, while staring at her first artwork.
Maymay might have belittled her talent but the viewers were all amazed with her masterpiece – a calming image of province life symbolized by nature and a tree glowing under the sunrise.
“Isa Laban sa Lahat”
Maymay is one of the most loved young artists of her generation. Her and love team partner Edward Barber’s huge fan base would serve as evidence.
In this game called “Isa Laban sa Lahat” where Maymay battles with three supporters in answering fun facts about her personal life and career, it was proven that devoted fans sometimes know their idols more.
The first question required the players to use their photographic memory and identify Maymay’s first post in Instagram. The correct answer was a ‘selfie photo,’ which the fans recalled but Maymay didn’t. On the next item about her exact number of followers on Tiktok, the point still went to the fans.
Maymay even got the date she was declared as PBB Big Winner wrong but her fans remembered that day all too well. It was March 6, 2017.
She finally gained a point by the fourth question, her character name in the film “Loving in Tandem.” Everyone got the correct answer – Sunshine.
Surprisingly, Maymay thought she only has six songs in her sophomore album. The fans, of course, got it correctly – 12 tracks. It was mentioned that her single “Toinks” was nominated as Best Novelty Recording in the 2018 Awit Awards.
Her first concert was held at the Kia Theater while Maymay carried her Filipino pride as she walked the ramp for Amaro Couture at the Arab Fashion Week 2018.
A the end of the challenge, Maymay only got 5 out of 8 items correctly while the fans gained a perfect score.