Maymay Entrata has not stopped thanking the people who made her the first-ever Filipina celebrity to walk at the Arab Fashion Week.
On Wednesday night, November 21, the 21-year-old former reality star slayed the runway at Amato Couture's Pre-Fall 2019 fashion show in Dubai Design District.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on Tuesday, November 27, Maymay expressed her gratitude toward every one who showed their support for her international runway debut.
She said, "Siyempre hindi matutuloy yun kundi dahil kina Sir Josh [Yugen], at Miss Furne [One], at sa Amato Couture family.
"Talagang grabe, binigyan nila...mas naging makulay yung buhay ko.
"Yung side na modelling, ang hirap kasi-i-achieve yun."
Josh Yugen is a fashion PR practitioner based in Dubai. Meanwhile, Furne One is a Dubai-based Filipino fashion designer and the founder/creative director of Amato Couture.
Maymay continued, "Hinding-hindi ako magsasawang sabihin na sobrang blessed ako at sobrang nagpapasalamat ako dahil talagang mainit yung suporta ng buong Pilipinas sa akin at saka sa lahat ng fans, sa lahat ng sumuporta sa akin.
"Kasi hindi lang naman kami nag-Arab Fashion Week dun, nag-ano din po kami, nag-concert din po kami sa Dubai. As in pinaka-malaking crowd na nakita po namin.
"Talagang nakakaiyak, minsan naiisip ko, 'Ba't ba kami nandito? Deserve ba namin?'
"Pero mas pinili na lang namin na magpasalamat lagi sa lahat ng sumuporta sa amin."
DREAM COME TRUE
The Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7 Big Winner added that it has always been her dream to become a model.
"Hindi ako makapaniwala talaga, parang nananaginip lang ako, nananaginip nang gising.
"Kasi nung dati college ako, ang pangarap ko... yung first na 'Next Top Model' sa school namin, gusto ko lang yun kasi [kahit talo], may consolation [prize] pa rin, ganun.
"Pero nung second at third, dun ako nagplano, 'Ah, para maging regular din ako na modelo sa isang agency ganun para makita din ako ng designer ganun...'
"Pero wala talaga, so sabi ko, 'Okay lang May, darating din ang para sa 'yo.'
"Nung nag-artista ako, naiisip ko pa rin siya pero hindi na talaga kasi nawalan ako ng pag-asa nun... pero nandun pa rin siya, isa pa rin siya sa mga pangarap ko.
"Hindi ko lang akalain na bigla siyang darating na naman sa buhay ko."
ARAB FASHION WEEK EXPERIENCE
Maymay also recounted some of her thoughts when she hit the runway.
"Nung nag-walk na ako, parang na-flashback lahat ng pinagdaanan ko nung gusto ko pumasok sa pagiging modelo.
"Pero hindi nakakapasok kasi ang daming pagsubok like wala akong pera pang-workshop or training.
"Nag-training lang ako sa sarili ko, nanonood lang ako ng mga videos."
The Fantastica star said the support she received from her family, her friends, and her fans helped her overcome her initial nervousness backstage.
Her screen partner Edward Barber, who she refers to as Dodong, watched the show as well.
She told PEP.ph, "Nung naglakad ako, hindi na ako kinabahan.
"Basta pag prepared ako, okay na sa akin at saka clear sa akin yung gagawin ko, hindi na ako kakabahan.
"Pero pag backstage, hindi mawawala yung kaba.
"Ang dami mo kasing iniisip, kung pa'no ka magsisimula, kung pa'no mo gagawin 'to.
"Kapag clear na, ishe-shake off ko na 'tapos biglang nag-serious na ako.
"Mas naging komportable ako kasi andiyan yung mga sumuporta sa akin.
"Andiyan si Dodong, yung family niya, at saka yung family ko din na si Pat.
"Yung kuya ko hindi nakapunta kasi sa passport."
SUPPORTIVE LOVE-TEAM PARTNER
Edward went to the event with his sister Laura.
When asked about his reaction upon seeing Maymay on the runway, Edward said he was just speechless.
He recalled, "Sobrang cheesy 'to pero this is the first time I've experienced this talaga.
"Di ba alam mo in the movies, minsan medyo over the top na parang nag-i-slow down and you can't hear anything, muffled yung [sound].
"I always thought that I was good with words before, after the fashion week, nung tapos na siya.
"I was so happy na walang interview kasi I knew I wouldn't be able to give good answers.
"Alam mo yung proud feeling na parang parent 'tapos napanood mo yung anak sa open day, mga ganun yung feeling."
The First Love actor also defended Maymay against claims that she only got the part because she was a celebrity.
Edward said, "Maymay did not get into Arab Fashion Week because she's an artist.
"I've seen a lot of people say it na, 'Ah, kaya napakapasok siya dun sa Arab Fashion Week.'
"She worked hard to get that. She went to competitions before.
"In the weeks leading up, she's always watching videos of Arab Fashion Weeks before.
"So she worked hard for it, it wasn't just given to her. Nag-audition din siya."
For her part, Maymay said the negativity motivated her to do well in the fashion show.
"Ine-expect ko na talaga may magsasabi ng ganyan sa akin.
"Kaya iniisip ko na lang na bahala sila, galingan ko na lang.
"May proof naman po 'no, na talagang nag-work hard talaga ako.
"Kasi sobrang malaking blessing 'to na binigay sa akin.
"'Tapos andiyan na, bakit hindi ko pa ibibigay yung best ko?"