"Again, without waiting any longer, here's the statement and confirmation you have been waiting for: It's true, I am dating Arjo."
Ito ang diretsahang pag-amin ni Eat Bulaga! Dabarkads Maine Mendoza sa espesyal na pagtitinginan nila ng Kapamilya actor na si Arjo Atayde.
Inilahad ni Maine ang tunay na estado ng kanyang "love life" at kung paano siya pinapasaya ni Arjo, sa blog entry ng dalaga nitong Sabado ng gabi, March 2—bisperas ng kanyang 24th birthday ngayong araw, March 3.
Patuloy ni Maine: "We have been going out for quite some time now, sure you know that since we are always on the 'What's the latest chika? section, kahit ang tagal na naming lumalabas.
"(As if newsworthy) I know, I have been reading tweets from my supporters and I am well aware that majority of them are not in favor of him - of anyone, actually.
"And I understand the sentiments of some because of the 'loveteam culture' here in the Philippines."
Nagkatrabaho sina Maine at Arjo sa 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry na Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles, na nagsimula ang shooting noong August 2018.
Mula September hanggang January 2018 ay laman ng ispekulasyon ang ilang pagkakataong nakukunan ng litratong magkasama sina Maine at Arjo sa labas ng trabaho.
Mula sa pagkain nila sa restaurants, pagdalo ng parties, pagbabakasyon sa Bali, panonood ng concerts, at paglalaro ng virtual reality game ay nakalap ng netizens at kumalat sa social media.
Hanggang sa noong January 22, sa wakas ay umamin si Arjo na exclusively dating na sila ni Maine—bagay na kinukumpirma ngayon ng dalaga.
Tuluy-tuloy na paliwanag ni Maine sa nararamdaman niya para kay Arjo:
"You might be waiting for an explanation as to why I chose him. Excuse me for saying this but... why not?
"You may have listed a long list of reasons why I shouldn't but we all know it's made out of hatred, anger and disappointment.
"I choose not to judge his character for whatever he's done in the past because that does not define him as a person.
"I was raised to never judge a person, to always see the goodness of people no matter how other people see them.
"As for Arjo, I choose to go out with him multiple times so I'd get to know him better.
"I don't see anything wrong with that. I welcomed him to my life, just like what I'd do to other people. I hope I am making myself clear with that."
Hindi rin itinanggi ni Maine na malalim na ang pagkakakilanlan nila ni Arjo.
"I wouldn't deny that our friendship is growing deeper with time.
"He always goes out of his way to make me extra happy and actually puts in effort in everything he does.
"I appreciate everything he does for me and I am happy that I get to experience such wonderful things."
ARJO MEETS MAINE'S PARENTS
Kuwento pa ni Maine, may blessing ng kanyang mga magulang ang paghayag ni Arjo ng espesyal nitong nararamdaman para sa kanya.
Personal pa raw na bumisita ang Kapamilya actor sa bahay ng pamilya Mendoza sa Bulacan.
"My family and friends know about this. In fact, he has met my family and friends on multiple occasions.
"He went to our house in Bulacan to personally talk to my parents and tell them that he has nothing but good intentions for their daughter.
"My parents also gave him a warning that they'd kill him if he does something bad to me. Haha!
"I remember him looking so timid as he sat on our couch in front of Teodoro and Mary Ann."
Hindi rin maitago ni Maine ang kasiyahang sa unang pagkakataon na isang espesyal na tao sa puso niya ang ipinakilala niya sa kanyang mga magulang.
"That was the first time I introduced someone to my parents so I was hella nervous, too!
"Surprisingly, everything turned out fine and he made it out alive!
"He has met my siblings, friends and team as well. I am just glad I have people in my life who could guide me and support me with the decisions I make.
"I appreciate their efforts to love me and believe that I am making the right decision of making my heart happy this time."
ON FANS BASHING ARJO
Kasabay nito ay umapela si Maine sa ibang fans na dismayadong ang Kapamilya actor na si Arjo ang tunay na nagmamay-ari ng puso ng dalaga ngayon.
Ipinaliwanag ni Maine na maling magpakalat ng masasakit na salita laban kay Arjo at sa pamilya nito dahil lang sa pagkakaugnay ng binata sa kanya.
"It is just sad how some go overboard with what is happening in my personal life.
"To the point of bombarding him and his family with threats and malicious messages left and right.
"I know how you feel and I respect you for feeling that way but I believe it will never be right and acceptable to resort to personal attacks to get back at anyone or to relieve your frustration.
"This applies to everyone, not just Arjo.
"A lot of people close to me have experienced the immense bashing from some 'fans' and haters combined, including my family and friends.
"It has to stop.
"You may not be required to love the people around the person you idolize but I don't think it's too much to show them at least some respect."
JUST FRIENDS WITH ALDEN
Si Maine ay kalahati ng phenomenal teamup na AlDub o Alden Richards at Yaya Dub, na sumikat sa Kalyeserye segment ng Eat Bulaga!, na umere mula July 2015 hanggang December 2016.
Ang pagganap ni Maine bilang Yaya Dub ang una niyang sabak sa showbiz, at mula noon ay maraming AlDub fans ang umasang magkagustuhan din sa tunay na buhay sina Alden at Maine.
Pero muling iginiit ni Maine na magkaibigan lang talaga sila ni Alden.
Minsan na kasing humiling si Maine sa kanyang open letter noong 2017 na sana ay hayaan sila ng fans na gawin ang mga bagay na magpapasaya sa kanila.
Aniya, "I believe I have already made myself clear last November 2017 that Alden and I are just friends.
"Still good friends and workmates up to this day.
"If you missed that part, please do read the letter again."
MESSAGE TO FANS
Ayon pa kay Maine, umaasa siyang sana ay maintindihan ng AlDub fans na hanggang onscreen romance lang ang sa kanila ni Alden.
Humingi rin siya ng paumanhin kung may ibang fans na nasasaktan sa pag-amin niya ng tunay na nangyayari sa kanyang personal na buhay.
"I am sorry if I am hurting you with my truth. I am sorry if the truth is too much to bear.
"I know how you feel, believe me. I know you invested so much time, effort, and money on us just to show how much you love us and we really do try our best to make you feel that everything you did/do for us is much appreciated and treasured - that we love you dearly and all of you are special to our hearts, too.."
Dagdag ni Maine: "Sadly, I cannot stay ay Yaya Dub forever. This is Maine, the real me. And this is real life. And I cannot go on with my life behind a fictional character."
Sa huli, ipinaalala ni Maine na may mas mahalagang bagay na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin bukod sa fandom at pag-idolize ng mga artista.
"The world is big; there are so many things to do, so many places to go and so many people to meet.
"There are things beyond our control and sometimes we just have to let life happen and move forward," pagtatapos ni Maine.