A Magalona To the Max!

Of course, her face is easily recognizable, undeniably a Magalona. How does she feel when people tell her that she is the spitting image of her father? “Noong una hindi ko makita yung resemblance eh. Pero ngayon, I’m growing up. I’m turning 21 na this year. Medyo matanda na ko, medyo nakikita ko na. Lalo na nung pinapagtabi ‘yung face namin, kamuka talaga! Siguro kung tumaba ko!” She answers with a laugh. Text by KC Abalos. Photos by Mitch M. Mauricio. Showbiz Kid Aside from Francis Magalona’s features, it seems she also got his values. She reveals, “role model ko iyung dad ko. Marami siyang dreams talaga, gusto niya maging painter, photographer, etc. Pero lahat na, na-try niya!” With this thought in mind, this girl seems to want to try it all too! However, Maxene never dreamed of entering showbiz. She remembers that it has always been a part of her world. No fuss, no drama. It was just a part of what was supposed to happen in her journey towards finding who she really is. She recalls her younger days. “Yung dad ko lagi niya kaming sinasama mag-kakapatid. So, enjoy lang kami. I mean nag-lalarolaro lang kami dun, especially kapag may concert siya. Nandun lang kami backstage nangungulit pero it never really was clear to us what was going on.” She adds, “Although, sabi ng mom ko nung bata pa ako, lagi talaga akong ma-pose kasi nga na expose ako na nakikita ko yung mga camera so parang feeling ko it was part of my life.” She first appeared in a hotdog ad. This paved the way for her first hosting gig in the kiddie magazine show, 5 & UP. But as a young adult, it was a shampoo commercial which made everyone sit up and notice this lovely young lady. Growing Up “Gusto ko ma-try at least kahit once lang roles like ‘yung pagiging kontrabida, kasi feeling ko I wanted to try, I don’t want people to think na, for them I look nice or I look very innocent na I can only do that!” Maxene shares. Maxene is out to prove though that she has more than just the looks to make it in the biz. She considers the soap Hanggang Kailan as her first big break. It was a good opportunity indeed with big names such as Lorna Tolentino, Christopher de Leon, and Alessandra de Rossi at the helm. She says, “that was a huge thing for me kasi first drama ko iyon, tapos, ang lalaki agad nung stars na kasama ko. It was really fun being with them. And, hindi ako maiyak-iyak. Hindi ako marunong, pero dun sa soap ko iyung Saang Sulok and Hanggang Kailan doon nila ko tinuruaan kung paano umiyak.” This is the reason why she prefers comedy over drama. She states, “sa personal life ko mabilis ako umiyak, when I’m sad or when I’m angry, or ma-touch lang ako. One time, umabot ako ng one hour hinihintay ako ng lahat para maiyak ako.” So far, Maxene considers her role as Deena in Daddy Di Do Du as the most successful because she got to be known by a larger audience. She relays the challenges of her character. “I get to be someone that I’m not. Yung maarte na kikay na sira ulo na jologs. Ganoon iyung character ko sa show. So, nakakaaliw.” Having fun while paving a solid showbiz career is not such a bad thing for a 21-year-old. Without a doubt, everyone is looking forward to more of Maxene. What’s up with Maxene? Find out the latest in the iGMA forums. Get in touch with MAXENE. Text MAXENE [Your Message] Send to 4627 for Globe, TM, Sun, Smart and Talk ‘N Text. Php2.50 for Globe, TM, Smart and Talk ‘N Text, Php2.00 for Sun.