Maxine Medina defends Miss Canada Nova Stevens from bashers
First Yaya actress and former Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina knows what it's like to be living under a microscope and be constantly bashed by people.
This is why she expressed her disgust over the callous comments of some Filipinos about Nova Stevens, who is representing Canada in the Miss Universe pageant this year.
Stevens uploaded on her Instagram account some of the screenshots of the Tagalog racial slur she has been receiving.
In an Instagram Story, Maxine reminds her fans and followers to encourage Miss Universe contestants instead of bashing them.
She said, "REMEMBER MISS UNIVERSE is all about #womenempowerment lets lift them up to be the best version of themselves.
“These young girls that are competing need love and acceptance as they facing their challenges and fears. Let's be mindful of our words. WE ARE MORE ALIKE THAN WE ARE DIFFERENT!”
Maxine experienced being bullied, especially during her campaign to win back-to-back titles for the country, when she competed in the Miss Universe pageant in 2016 held in Manila.
She finished strong by making it to the Top 6.
Likewise, Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo has personally apologized to Miss Canada about this unfortunate incident.
She related in a video conference, "I really feel sorry to her 'cause nobody deserves to be in that position,
"I've been bashed, you know? And there was a moment in which a lot of people would tell me, 'That's normal. You're a beauty queen.'
"But I've seen how it affected not just me, but also other candidates."
First Yaya
Meanwhile, Maxine is part of the high-rating romantic-comedy series of First Yaya, her first project on GMA Network.
She portrays Lorraine in the series, the kontrabida in Sanya Lopez's character named Yaya Melody.
In an interview with PEP.ph, the former beauty queen talked about her experience doing a kontrabida role this around.
"Yung kontrabida role, for me, mahirap talaga, pero nandiyan yung directors, yung co-actors ko to guide me all the time.
"Actually, every scene ko, kailangan mataas ako, malditang-maldita talaga na sobrang galit.
"Talagang kailangan pa rin akong turuan ng direktor kung paano gagawin, kung paano aatakihin, which is sobrang gustung-gusto ko.”
Get to know the other actors in First Yaya in this gallery: