A Little Bit of Maine Mendoza and AlDub

Maine Mendoza. She's the half of which I consider the most talked about love team right now. She's the Dubsmash Queen of the Philippines. She's the face of most TV commercials. And like her twitter bio says, yup, she's that girl.

Better known as Yaya Dub, the supposed to be "masungit" and "suplada" nanny of the old, rich woman, Lola Nidora. She's one of the reasons why people started enjoying TV again. She's the reason why people who don't usually use the internet, now even have Twitter accounts (some of my relatives included).

Truth is, I didn't start off as a fan. I work long hours from Mondays to Saturdays so there really is no way I can watch TV. My sister was the one in our family who usually gushes about ALDUB. Then I started seeing it on my Facebook feed. It was all over Twitter, too.

What is it exactly and why is everyone seemed so enthralled with it? I became so curious. But not so much that I'd actually start watching it. But still just curious.

Then there came the episode when Alden and Maine are going to perform against each other for the wildcard spot for Eat Bulaga's Dabarkads Pa More segment. Or need I say it, the famous Plywood Incident.

It was Saturday and the moment I went home, my sister gushes over the episode. But that wasn't the amusing thing about it. My Dad was talking about it too! I mean, my Dad who only watches news, documentaries, and sports on TV. My Dad who hates it when me and my sister fangirls over our favorite show or favorite celebrities.

That sudden change of my Dad made me watch it. I mean, if that wasn't enough to make me watch ALDUB, then I don't know what else is.

I watched clips from that Eat Bulaga episode. Just clips. I don't exactly have time to watch whole episodes. It was okay but I wasn't that hooked yet. What got me hooked was the episode the following Saturday. Need clues? Blindfold, van, starbucks, Duh-Rizz. That Saturday when they trended #ALDUBTheAbduction.

That was the first episode that I watched from start to finish. Why? Partly because when I came home that day, my Dad said: "Di mo napanuod 'yung Eat Bulaga! Ang Ganda! Galing talaga nila!" with so much amusement in his face.

I watched it that night and it was then that I became a converted ALDUB fan. That was when I started watching replay episodes every night since I don't get to watch it live. That was when I started looking for previous episodes, too.

What amused me was learning that everything about it was unplanned. Or at least it doesn't seem to me. Watching the first episodes of then the Problem Solving segment of Eat Bulaga, I realized that Yaya Dub's character wasn't created as joyful and energetic as she seemed right now. She was supposed to be more suplada and masungit than Lola Nidora.

Then there came the infamous July 16 episode. The day when it all began. Alden, as handsome as always, was seated in the front of the studio watching. Yaya Dub was doing her usual dubsmash thing. Alden's face was being shown on the other half of the split screen while Maine does her thing. When she noticed him watching her, her eyes bulge in surprise and she became timid. The next thing that happen was trully amusing.

How was it that the suplada and masungit Yaya seems to be smiling and shy? I believe it was Allan K who pointed it out.

"Hala si Yaya naco-conscious! Si Yaya nagpapa-cute!"

That teasing gave birth to the Pabebe Wave. If you haven't done it in your selfies, I'm pretty sure you know someone who already did. I mean, I did even changed my Twitter photo during that National Pabebe Wave Day when ALDUB Nation trended #AlDubEBforLove, and earned 25.6 million tweets.

I think what makes ALDUB and Kalyeserye a hit is Maine Mendoza herself. She's this simple girl in the nanny apron. She makes faces. She dubsmashes to communicate. She's got a very unique personality. And she happens to have an undying crush to a really handsome guy (I'm looking at you Alden Richards). Who wouldn't relate to that?

It was like a modern fairytale. They're like the Cinderella and Prince Charming. And everyone's rooting for the commoner for the prince.

What I love about Maine Mendoza is that she's unique. She's refreshing to watch. She's not afraid to make funny faces or to make a laugh out of herself. She's a very natural commidiene. She can express herself in mere facial expressions.

I admire her because she inspires a lot of young girls out there. She's the living proof that dreams do come true. And if it happened to her, it can all happen to us in a different way.

I've read news articles about them and about her. One says that stardom hasn't sinked in to Maine. And it makes me aaahhhh! because it means she's still that girl we all love. The girl we believe she is. Her face is very Bulakenya, very Filipina. Okay, maybe I'm a bit biased there (fellow Bulakenya here! *pabebe wave*). But really she's got a very distinct beauty we don't usually see on TV. And she's not afraid to take off her make up at the end of the day and take some wacky photos of herself. Kudos for that, Meng!

And the fans! ALDUB Nation is the fandom with a purpose. I remember the MaiDen Bulacan chapter having a gift giving at the Home for the Aged in Malolos, Bulacan and Maine's Dad was actually there to support it! Then ALDUB Nation also did a blood letting project with Philippine Red Cross. I mean, I was so great to know that we (yes, I'm included) are not only fans who make them the top trending topic everyday but we also gather together to help others.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines even gave an award to the Kalyeserye for promoting values among the youth. Maine, Alden, Wally (as Lola Nidora), and ALDUB Nation all received an award. Which is something you'd be proud of. It's not everyday that the TV shows and celebrities or even fandoms receive and award from the church.

The thing about ALDUB and Kalyeserye is that the mere thought about it makes me smile. Yes, I sometimes look crazy, but I do. They make me laugh each time. The TNT sisters (Tinidora, Nidora and Tidora) played by Jose, Wally, and Paolo, respectively, never fails to make me laugh with their adlib and skits. Lola Nidora's Babalaaaaa (asawa ni) lines, the ever so famous sa tamang panahon, and dancing (or maybe cramping) Dessert. Tinidora's Mambo No.5 and Let's Get Loud dance routines with the help of the ladder and her dead looking Quandos. And who would not recognize Tidora's wide open mouth laugh, her squeal, and the now popular Regine! Woooooh!. I'll never get tired of those crazy antics.

Just a little personal story. It was one Saturday when I was on leave in the office. I wen to this thrift shop. They usually play background music in the store and that day their playlist are full of songs that Alden and Maine uses in their dubsmash. People seemed to be enjoying the show and some even started singing along. It was almost lunch time and while I was in line at the cashier, I heard the lady behind me said: "Anong oras na ba? Malapit na mag-Eat Bulaga. Baka 'di na ako umabot". Truth is, I was having the same thoughts with her. 😁

Then what happened next was this: God Gave Me You came on the speakers and almost everyone there squealed! Really! The effect of that song to Yaya Dub became very contagious to people who watch the show and it was really fun to see.

Then Alden held a show in Robinsons Place Malolos. I was there and it was so jam packed with fans from all ages. Seriously! We arrived there at around 2pm and there was already a long line at the entrance of the mall because the mall (which have 4 floors) is almost full. Me and my friend rode the escalator and there was this pair of old lolas behind us. What I heard made me smile: "Bagay talaga sila! Grabe, buong buhay ko, sa tanda kong 'to, ngayon lang ako magkaganito."

The stage was ready as early as then and people where already around the mall finding a place where they can watch the other half of ALDUB perform. They were playing music from the set up speakers on the stage. Then at around 3pm when I was sure that Alden won't be there yet because Eat Bulaga probably just finished, God Gave Me You played and people screamed! I'm serious! They really screamed like they thought Alden was already there. And I wished I caught it on video. 😂

And one more very personal thing. I honestly stopped listening to Thinking Out Loud. I learned to hate it everytime I hear it because it reminds me of something (okay, fine...of someone). The mere intro of the song made me roll my eyes. But then ALDUB gave me another meaning for the song. It reminded me how beautiful that song is. And everytime I hear it, all I remember now is how Alden dubsmashes it for Maine. (Or how Baeby Baste sang it for Yaya Dub, which is really funny)

I really, really, really hope to meet Maine Mendoza one day. I wanted to tell her in person how much of an inspiration she is. I wanted to thank her for making me laugh, for giving me so much good vibes, and for reminding me the true Filipino values.

From one Bulakenya to another, all I can say is this: Way to go, Meng! 👍;)

Love,
@sarahnewville

Let's Not See Each Other Again, Shall We?

How it is that you haven't seen someone for a while and when you actually saw him again, all the feelings and memories come rushing forward like it all happened just yesterday.

How the hell?

You haven't seen him for a few months. You stopped stalking his social media pages. You almost thought you already forgot his face. You haven't talked to him in a while. You thought he already deleted your number.

But the most unexpected moment came. And he was there. He was just a few feet away. You saw him and you're quite sure he saw you too. Even in a span of a nano second, you locked eyes with him. And your heart drummed inside your chest.

You looked away. Why is he there? What is he doing here? Has he seen me?

He was the one who started ignoring you. He's the one who seemed to not care anymore. And you just go along with it. Because you hate getting hurt. You're already getting attached so you distanced yourself too. If he doesn't care, why should you?

You're a little panic-y because you can feel his eyes on your back. He's looking at you and you know it. So when a bus came, you get in it. But it wasn't moving yet. And you're sitting by the window directly right where he is. And you felt his stare again.

Then your phone chimes with a text. You weren't expecting to see his name. The name you haven't seen there in a while. He was asking where you're going...like you have been just talking to him a minute ago...like he really cares.

You pretended to be surprised by the text and you look around. You faked a smile when you locked eyes with him. He smiled back. That smile that once made you swoon. You quickly looked away pretending you're a little too fascinated by the TV on the bus.

You continued to exchange text messages with him. Until he was the one to cut the conversation short again. But you already expected that, didn't you? You already know he won't be talking to you for a while again only to come back like nothing ever happened.

And you pretend like it's okay. Because you had to be okay. Because what ever it is that you're feeling right now, one day, you hope, it won't even matter. That one day, you'll finally won't care anymore.

Done Reading UNDONE

Undone. How perfect a word can be. How perfect a title can suit a story.

We're talking about "Undone" by Cat Clarke here. I actually don't want to talk about it. I was trying to keep my mouth shut because I am afraid that the moment I start to talk about it, I'm going cry (sob) and I'm not going to stop ever.

But in a way, I want to get it out. Write about it. Pour it in paper (wordpad, in exact). I want to write about it so one day, when I'm fully moved on and recovered (never gonna happen) from the story, I can read this post and reminisce it.

This may be totally dramatic. And I may be trying to fight the tears right now. But everyone's allowed to be emotional, right?

So let me start so I can get back in the corner of my room and just sob over Jemima Halliday's story.

I've had that book (epub) in my library (electronic) for like months before what I call The Day. I've always have it there but I never really had a chance to read it. So when The Day came, I was kind of really really bored and it was the night that I actually couldn't sleep. And so I settled myself. I opened the "Random Bookshelf" in my library and it was the book that caught my eye. It was right there. Third book on top. With the cover of a girl in a dress facing back. About to jump off. And there was that word. The title. It was almost like a spell.

I selected the book, trying to open the options tab if there is a synopsis. There is none. I was kind of disappointed. I find it a bit scary to read a book without reading the back page. But it also is kind of exciting, not knowing what to expect. So I was fighting with two options in my head: a) I'm going to leave it there. Not reading it until I know what to expect from it, or b) Read it and let's see where I'll go. I chose B.

I opened the book with such anticipation. I didn't know Cat Clarke. I haven't read any of her books before. And then there was the prologue right before my eyes. Then I couldn't stop. I couldn't let go of it.

I think it was because I am kind of a Jemima Halliday myself. We have things in common, I guess.

It was when Kai died that I felt more into this book. It was that absorbing and so good. I felt it through me. The book is like shouting everything it needs to say. And I think, it did well in that category.

I did find myself crying in some parts of it. There were moments when I'd just bit my lip just so the tears won't come out. And then... Then I came to the end.

The end is–

I don't even know how to describe it. It was... It was painful...devastatingly and depressingly painful. I will never forget Jem's last thought. Her last sentence, to be exact. I will never forget how badly it was stuck in my head. How I gasp and cried when I've read it: “I chose life too late.”

I think it was the saddest thing someone could ever say. When I was finished reading, I felt odd. Weirdly odd. I became so absorb in the story. I didn't expect she'd actually do it. And that last chapter...

There were so many what ifs and if only’s right after. It could have been better, or at least okay with Jem, Lucas and Sasha. But I think that why I liked the story so much. Because it was some book where the reader was not allowed to dictate what's going to happen. It allowed it self to end in a way that it thinks will happen. A stinging slap in the face of happy endings.

And I think it's one of those books that has never finished what it wants to say. Although it was almost shouting at the reader, there's still that feeling that it was not yet done. Not that way. Not like that.

It was somewhat unfair for the story to end just there. I hangs around just at that perfect moment. But it is also why I liked it so much. How ironic, right? I find it unfair because it hangs right there and I like it so much because it hangs right there.

Others may find it just an ordinary young adult novel. But if you try to look beyond the surface, there are a lot more to it. It was like a fancy facade in front of a deep well.

Right now, I'm still trying to figure out how to forget Jem, Kai, Lucas, and Sasha. But I think, the story will stay me for a while (forever). :)

-S