A year after she wrote an emotional open letter to her fans, Maine Mendoza said that she is definitely happier now.
Yesterday she wrote on her Twitter account: “So much happier now than I’ve ever been and so so grateful for that.”
So much happier now than I’ve ever been and so so grateful for that. ❤️😌
— Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) November 26, 2018
On Nov. 26 last year, Mendoza posted a lengthy letter on her social media account where she admitted that she and her love team partner Alden Richards are just friends, contrary to her fans’ belief that they were a real couple.
The pressure of being in a love team made her feel like she lived “in a box.”
In the Philippines, many young stars start their careers by being part of a love team, where they are paired with another actor of the opposite gender. To gain more fans and become even more popular, they need to pretend that they are a real couple — even if some of them are not.
She also bluntly told her fans that she didn’t like the way she was treated by a portion of her fanbase, which would take glee in picking her apart and criticizing her.
I got myself, I will catch myself, and I will pick myself up pic.twitter.com/VoU5kFuReQ
— Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) November 26, 2017
“I have not been able to do what I want and say what I feel because every time I try to express my thoughts and feelings, some of you (fans) tend to misapprehend and invalidate them in so many ways,” she said.
“Telling me I am not supposed to feel that way because I am ‘rich and famous.’ Telling me I have no right to be sad because I have everything a person could ask for.”
But things seem to have gotten better, now that the Mendoza-Richards love team is on hiatus (at least for now) and that she’s rumored to be dating actor Arjo Atayde.
Many of her fans are happy that she’s in a good place right now. Fan @menggalurks wrote that she’s praying for Mendoza’s happiness.
You’re making a lot of people happy everyday— you deserve to be happy too! ♥️ Love you, Meng! Always praying for your happiness!
— ♔ (@menggalurks) November 26, 2018
@troobie_md, who also tagged Richards, wrote: “And that is what we’re all praying for. Your happiness is paramount to us above all. You deserve it all Menggay (Mendoza)! We are here for you. Glad you feel the love! Feeling it too from you & @aldenrichards02! We love you! Thank you so much!”
And that is what we’re all praying for. Your happiness is paramount to us above all. You deserve it all Menggay! Nandito lang kami lagi para sa inyo. Glad you feel the love! Feeling it too from you & @aldenrichards02! Mahal din namin kayo! Salamat ng madami! 😊 #ALDUBBoomBagay
— Troobs (@troobie_md) November 26, 2018
A fan wrote that Mendoza’s happiness is “all that matters.”
That’s all that matters. Thank you for giving your time and your love to us. Thank you for recognizing and feeling our love for you. 💚You are among God’s many blessings to us. Stay happy! 😘 #ALDUBBoomBagay
— Sino Days (@dearfriendcan) November 26, 2018
Another fan said she’s glad that Mendoza is “so much happier.”
This has always been my prayer for you. I’m so glad you’re so much happier. 😌❤
— eLvs 🐼 (@elvssszzz) November 26, 2018
Mendoza will soon appear in a comedy movie with actor-director Coco Martin, titled Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles.
Although she’s still co-hosting the television show Eat Bulaga with her former love team partner Richards, the duo’s interactions are far from romantic. It remains to be seen if they will work on a big project together from here on out.
