We live in a world full of pretend and make-believe. That alone is challenging enough to make things real when they ought to be, at the moment when it is demanded. When everyone else seem to orchestrate lies, make up stories, or fabricate deceiving words, it could stir anyone to just go with the flow and forget how it is to be honest, true, and sincere. Some would even go through the comforts of compromising one's moral authority for the sake of living happy lives encircled about by falsehood.
That's how it is with the showbiz industry. Celebrities, reporters, and involved media people would create or avoid for survival. It's just like watching a reality show where one has to deceive and play the game to win the prize, while sacrificing more valuable matters like friendship, loyalty, and trust. But recently, there's one celebrity that's rising against the norm. She's so true with herself that she did not mind anything else, whether it would benefit her or not, as long as she knows what she does is in her state of mind and being. That's how the whole fandom knew Maine Mendoza.
Even when her armpits are emotional or when she cracks corny jokes that sell, it's all up to her honesty that people love her. She's the definition of difference in an industry that has been so frequent in making lies, accepting denial, and meeting the demands of perfection. She is who she is, and she's proud of what makes her, her. There's no question about it. She's defying the walls that separate the celebrity and the fan. Maine is the living proof that you do not have to follow the trend to be trending. I guess that's what makes me proud of this fandom, of being in the AlDub Nation. We are sweeping the world because of a concept, an idea so rare, that it created an uproar that was never expected to make huge waves, rather than a steady and slow ripple. She trends because of her unique talents, her one-of a kind charm, her special traits, her passion, her dedication, and her God-given qualities that the nation is continually amazed and awed at seeing.
And because she's real, she's now in the center stage of what she demands to have: to keep it real. As many of us would assume, her tweet could mean different things. But perhaps, one of the most obvious angles with the pertaining rant is the level of relationship she has with Alden Richards. There's just no other thing an AlDub fan could think of, rather than that. And just how real Maine wants the relationship to be? She wanted Alden to be out of the shell he has been so comfortable of staying for the longest time, ever since he started in this industry. Mind you, and this should be a realization to everyone. Being protective, secretive, and private in the showbiz industry is a norm. Why? There are things that actors and personalities that want to protect, from the prying eyes and judging hearts of some of the inconsiderate, selfish, and egocentric fans and critics out there.
And in the case of Alden Richards, perhaps he's protecting his family and his personal life, apart from the rest. But many of us have been witnesses in the recent past. We have seen him pour out his true self. He no longer worried about what his friends, family, and close relationships would think of what's happening between him and Maine. It's as if he's slowly resting his professional and esteemed self, and he's tapping into the being that he really is. Maine wanted things to be real. How real? Real to the point that the real and the reel are blurring the line, over and over, and being confident that things would be alright.
We have been too predominant of the idea that there are many more things to see behind the cameras, or whatever occurs off screen. It could be said by the SOCO Team with conviction. However, as we have seen in the past, it looks like Alden is becoming more honest with himself. Some of us are in the light of considering his transformation a change due to the influence that Maine has to him. And in all sincerity, Maine's personality of being true, genuine, and happy is more contagious than flu. Whoever is near her surely will gain the same perspective and affectation that she has. Some say it's all about charisma. Others think it's her character. But we could never deny that even just looking at Maine, people are drawn to her. It's like animal magnetism inherited by the strongest of the alpha. I guess that's the only conclusion I can make while many are going crazy just to see her... Literally crazy...
And Alden? Oh boy! Just think of how he could be affected from all this, knowing that he's the closest being, apart from her family, that comes closest to her, physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. When we come to realize at one point, Alden has been into dubsmashing, making wacky faces, thinking of his own pick up lines, and even draining his energy, as a way of, maybe, going at par with what Maine expects him to be. But while the rest of us are thinking that he's modifying his behavior and habits to adapt, Alden takes the experience as a way of showing his true colors. He has done so courageously in one event. And now that he's falling deeper than he anticipated, there's no turning back.
We saw what he did in various events where Maine wasn't around. Some of us are delighted and maybe surprised that his behavior within the Kalyeserye sphere has gone overboard into the realm of reality. Have you seen him do the pabebe wave over and over? Are you in the proper state of mind when you do wacky faces in a debut when everyone else seemed so serious? Think of it. Maine had created so much influence in Alden's life that he considered the experience an opening of the real him. And in the aspect of his relationship with Maine? He is now less mindful of what the cameras will take and he is doing so with fashion, decency, and sureness. He and Maine are now that comfortable that they would show their real selves, even in front of the camera, even when there are only a few that could really understand what they're going through.
The hands that look for the presence of another, the clinging feeling, the jokes and the pranks, and even the things they say when no words are spoken. All of these are manifestations of the reality that they are getting closer and that the emotions are real. Except for one. Yes! There is one thing that maybe hidden from the AlDub Nation as of present. It involves the letter that Alden gave to Maine in return. While we saw that there was a hint of dissatisfaction or disappointment, what Tidora saw in the words of the said letter are directly the opposite. Do we need clarifications? I don't think so. As Maine mentioned, there are some things that are for their eyes only. And we have to respect that. However, I am actually confident that we will see something different... Something that would manifest out from the said letter. Remember, AlDub Nation, that patience is a virtue.
The challenge of keeping things real? Well, for one, you don't have to set too much of one's expectations and see things as perfect as it would go. Realize that we, as human beings, are subject to flaw, mistakes, and frailty. There would be moments when we are not able to do what is required us to take action of. But that's what makes us special. We are a work in progress. And there's always room for improvement. We may not be able to do things so well today. But we could act on our setbacks and become better individuals. Both Alden and Maine may be undergoing the same process too.
Another challenge pertains to sensitivity and involvement. When you are confident that it's okay to take risks, even at the expense of involving the ones you love, then you could take the plunge. Just think of how Alden's and Maine's parents are getting mixed up in all this. They're actually happy for what's happening. Even the siblings are glad that everything is turning out for the best. But when you're too afraid, then not involving anyone would be safe at best. However, that may also equate that you are not becoming honest with yourself and the people around you.
Challenge 3 may also be about the disclosures of the past. Many of us recently have seen how Alden and Maine's lives were opened to the public. Some even found the bits and pieces to be disappointing and bothering. I for one was actually a bit disturbed with what I found. However, as I think about it, I should not be too critical of the lives they once lived. Those times when they were younger, more prone to make mistakes, and commit things less thought of are transgressions all of us make. Their past was a result of their weakness as younger aged individuals. Let us not give them the burden of bringing out the skeleton inside the closet. If you only knew how much effort they exerted to make their lives better at present. Would you really go through the attempt of unearthing trash that has been long buried in the greener grass of today? Are you sure you want to bring a bulldozer or a backhoe and destroy lives that are now settled at peace just to dig and satisfy to destroy and ruin? I'd rather let them live the present and be happy for them. We are all moving forward, just as the plants and trees shoot up to the sky in bloom of greater and happier days ahead.
In the light of my message, let me express my gratitude to both Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr. and Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza for bringing something special to the viewers. I could not thank you well enough for the many blessings you have wrought into the lives of the hopeless romantics, the yearning individuals, loving couples, and anticipating lovers. Thank you for sharing values that the youth can emulate when it comes to being educationally prepared and responsible for handling a relationship. I loved how both of you have wrought changes to the industry that's already tired of the usual and the conventional. Your love team has created a stir that the whole country could be proud of.
And to both of you, as I would take the songs that you sing na malakas magpakilig sa inyong dalawa:
Bakit di na lang totohanin ang lahat kung sa inyong ngiti nahuhumaling kayo sa isa't-isa. Alden's falling, falling in love with you Maine. Ikaw naman Meng, you're falling for Alden that finally, your heart gave in. Sabi nga niya, "Akin ka na lang... Iingatan ko ang puso mo" kaya wag ka nang mag-alinlagan pa. Hindi ka niya iiwan, hindi pababayaan. Sa kanya ay di ka iiyak ng kahit minsan. Ikaw naman Alden, hindi por que si Maine kinikilig, pag ika'y lumalapit siya ay nanginginig eh pwede na ang bahala na, kahit sabihin na, sabi nila, na kayo ay itinadhana. Totohanin mo yung pangako mo na you will be loving her till you're seventy. That you'll be her crying shoulder, that you will be love's suicide. That you will be better when you're older, knowing that she will be the greatest event of your life. At the end of the day, pag napatunayan mo na lahat, masasabi naman ni Meng na ikaw ang pag-ibig na hinintay, puso ay nalumbay ng kay tagal, ngunit ngayon ay nandito na ikaw. After all, God gave you, each other, to show you both what is real; that there is more to life, than just how you both feel.
Be true and lagi niyong i-orient ang isa't-isa nang hindi na kayo nagtatakipan ng mukha on air. :)
