Maxene: What you see is what you get

You know she is different the minute you see her. Unlike other stars her age (19), Maxene Magalona hardly wears any makeup. Not that she needs any to cover her schoolgirl complexion. It’s just that Francis Magalona and Pia Arroyo’s daughter would rather let people see her as she is–sans makeup, jewelry, accessories, even the latest fashion trend.

Her only accessory is a watch. Not even a pair of earrings frames her face. Her straight, long, flowing hair, as seen in that shampoo commercial, does the trick instead. The no-nonsense style extends to her bright blue shirt and pair of maong pants.

If the medium is indeed the message, Maxene is driving her point home oh-so-clearly: I don’t have to pretend to be what I’m not. It only masks the real Maxene, the way accessories hide flaws in one’s figure, or makeup hides blemishes on one’s face.

Even her choice of friends gives Maxene’s character away. "I choose friends who are humble and down-to-earth. I cannot get along with someone who is otherwise. I always stay away from the loud, egoistic types," she says.

One of those who has passed Maxene’s criterion for choosing friends is Alessandra de Rossi. Alessandra may look too flamboyant beside the quiet Maxene. But both share a transparency that lets you know where you stand with them. No ifs and buts.

Mom, as usual, has proven to be a big help in keeping Maxene grounded. "She told me to choose my friends," the obedient daughter reveals.

Then there’s school. Maxene’s Jesuit education in Ateneo, where she is an incoming college sophomore, has kept her feet firmly planted on the ground. She knows that while she has adoring fans who watch her daily in GMA’s afternoon soap Saang Sulok ng Langit and in the comedy Daddy Di Do Du, she also has her studies to look into.

The Theater Arts major wants to shift to AB Psychology "because I want to teach and I’m so fond of kids." Never mind what they say about teaching being a thankless profession. Maxene believes it is noble nonetheless. And it will give her joy no amount of money can buy by interacting with children.

So finish school she must, just like Karylle, a fellow Atenean Maxene looks up to.

"I can still combine school and work, anyway. Besides, I can always get more showbiz assignments after graduation," Maxene reasons out.

But it seems her showbiz schedule is getting too hectic, even someone as determined as Maxene is, has to compromise. That’s why she decreased her academic load this coming school year to 12 units.

Maxene will promote the Playboy Kuba episode of Happily Ever After, a trilogy from Regal Entertainment.

The project is crucial for Maxene, a first-timer in the fantasy genre. She is out to prove that she can also shine in this movie reminiscent of The Beauty and the Beast. As Laura the naive barrio lass, she falls in love with Vince, a handsome teen from Manila (John Prats). But Vince dumps her and Laura’s angry mother puts a curse on him and turns him into an ugly hunchback.

Maxene acknowledges John’s seniority over her in the movie scene. He has been around longer, so he must know what he’s doing, she says. This confidence makes work on Maryo J. de los Reyes’ set a breeze.

It also helps that direk Maryo also handled Francis Magalona when he was 19 in Bagets 2. Her father must have told Maxene how enriching an experience it is to work with direk Maryo, especially at 19, when one is honing one’s acting chops.

The coincidence is not lost on Maxene. "Direk Maryo handled my father when he was 19. And here I am, of the same age, working with the same director! It’s amusing," says Maxene.

Maxene would like to play more fantasy roles by playing a fairy someday. It would simply be nice, gushes Maxene, to play a fairy with such beautiful wings for the first time!

But beyond that, Maxene’s ultimate goal is to become as good a dramatic actress as Maricel Soriano. Maxene’s virginal face has cast her in the role of the oppressed character; the one at the receiving end of insult and injury. And while she knows those finely-chiseled features often land her meek and mild roles, Maxene won’t give up just like that. She hopes somehow, someday, she, too, can play mean on screen, for a change.

"I want to know how it feels to play a villainess," she reveals.

So many dreams. So many chances to fulfill them. With youth, looks and showbiz pedigree on her side, Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran’s granddaughter may yet reach her goal.