Maymay Entrata finds self during Canada trip

MANILA, Philippines — The “break” during the pandemic lockdown and her stay in Canada led Maymay Entrata to further self-discovery and ponder on the things that she wanted in life.

Maymay flew to Canada to pursue her dream of studying abroad and announced her return to the Philippines in an Instagram post last June.

Back in February, the Amakabogera singer surprised fans when she revealed on social media her foreigner non-showbiz boyfriend Aaron Haskell.

“Sobrang nakatulong talaga sa akin (the break during lockdown and trip to Canada). Talagang naging grounded ako, mas naging humble pa ako,” she mused during the recent virtual media conference for Star Magic’s 30th-anniversary concert titled Beyond the Stars.

With that experience, she learned a lot about herself. “Mas natuklasan ko pa kung ano talaga yung gusto ko sa buhay ko at yun yung importante talaga. Sometimes, we need a break para mas clear kung ano yung gusto mong makamit sa buhay mo,” she continued. “Now, I’m very thankful to God because I found my purpose again and the path that I want to take in my life na kung saan ay nakakapagpasaya sa buhay ko kahit hadlang man yun sa ibang tao.”

She attended acting sessions while in Canada to further understand her craft. “Since yun po yung field na talagang I find challenging and that’s what I always tell in my interviews kaya yun yung pinag-aralan ko.”

Maymay reveals her ‘Valentino,’ non-showbiz boyfriend Aaron Haskell, in a social media post last February.

“You can always gain self-confidence kapag talagang sinisipagan mo at pinag-aaralan mo para lagi ka pong talagang handa,” she reflected. “I really find it hard to embrace my own ‘magic’ but with Star Magic, I was able to find it.”

When asked what makes her inspired recently, she was teased by Andrea Brillantes during the mediacon, “Nasa Canada.” But Maymay just smiled and said, “My supporters inspire me. They are the ones who push me to love my craft even more.”

“And true enough, like what I said earlier, nahirapan akong i-embrace what the Lord has given me. But now, paunti-unti, kapag pinag-aralan mo siya, you will learn to embrace and enjoy it. My inspirations are my Kapamilya who keep on supporting me, my family, ang Panginoon and my loved ones,” she told The STAR.

Meanwhile, Zanjoe Marudo, also part of the Beyond the Stars music show, is also excited to perform on stage after a while for the Kapamilya here and abroad. “This is the job where I felt no pressure. Gustong-gusto mo ng pumunta, gusto mo ng gawin. I am eager to perform, to meet our kababayan, ewan ko, pero ganun yung pakiramdam ko,” said he and stressed, “I felt no pressure doing events like these because I am more of excited to thank (the audience) and see the smiles and happy faces of our Kapamilya abroad.”

Having been cast in top-rated series, movies and projects, the 39-year-old Zanjoe said he wants to be remembered as a thespian who could spark inspiration in viewers in every character that he portrays.

“Perhaps in every character that I play — bad, good or kahit ano man yun, I hope to inspire,” he asserted. “I hope to impart lessons sa lahat ng mga character na gagawin ko. Siguro sana kung saan man ako abutin dito sa industriyang ito, sana maalala nila yung isang simpleng taga-probinsya na umabot ng mga pangarap at alam mo yun na naabot niya sa pamamagitan ng pakikisama, ng pakikinig at willing matuto.”

Aside from Maymay, Zanjoe, and Andrea, Star Magic artists Edward Barber, Kim Chiu, Carlo Aquino, Charlie Dizon, love teams Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano and KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad will also grace the Beyond the Stars music event.

P-pop group BGYO, Janine Berdin, AC Bonifacio, SAB, Lian Kyla, Angela Ken, Kyle Echarri, and Gigi de Lana will be joining them with Eric Nicolas and Shanaia Gomez as hosts.

The Beyond the Stars concert will kick off on July 23 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila; Aug. 6, Kings Theater in Brooklyn, New York; Aug. 12, Warfield Theater, San Francisco; and Aug. 14, Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

(For those interested in watching the US shows live, visit mytfc.com to avail tickets. Meanwhile, for the Manila leg, call SM Tickets at (02)8470-2222. For details, follow Star Magic’s official social media accounts.)