Maine’s surprising reaction to netizens exploiting her fundraiser

Maine Mendoza

For Maine Mendoza, the noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga!” is a “learning ground for many reasons and in many ways.”

And one of the segments that has had a profound impact on her is “Juan for All, All for Juan’s” “Sugod Bahay,” which has her and her cohosts hitting the streets and visiting different households to provide financial assistance and share a laugh with less fortunate families.

In turn, the experience has helped Maine become more empathetic and cognizant of the challenges ordinary Filipinos face on a daily basis.

“We have been to different barangays and talked to indigent individuals and families, so I know how it looks to not have enough,” she told the Inquirer in a recent e-mail interview arranged by Triple A management president Rams David.

“Every day, we get to meet different people, know different stories, perceive different struggles and we always end up learning different life lessons,” the 25-year-old star related.

Given all the insights she has gained from hosting “Bulaga!” for the past five years, it didn’t come as a surprise that Maine was one of the first celebrities to heed the people’s call for help, after the Covid-19 pandemic paralyzed their sources of livelihood.

Last month, Maine launched “DoNation,” a fund drive that seeks to provide monetary aid to Filipino workers left with no choice but to go out to earn a living. Donations are pooled using a mobile wallet app, which is then used to forward P1,000 per family.

As of April 19, the initiative has accumulated Php 921,293.88 and benefited 961 families.

“I’m happy and thankful, because I realized that a lot of people are willing to send help!” Maine said. “And it didn’t really matter how much they’re willing to give … The fact that they wanted to share a bit of what they have with others gives me nothing but hope and gratitude.”

The actress-television host herself is in charge of the operations. And the process, admittedly, isn’t without difficulties. One of the challenges she has faced, she related, is dealing with crafty individuals who “take advantage of the situation.”

One time, she chanced upon a netizen promoting the fundraising initiative, but with the latter’s own account details. That, Maine said, could be “confusing and frustrating.”

But upon further reflection, she realized that those instances are an offshoot of the situation some people find themselves in at the moment.

“In hindsight, given the situation we’re all in, I figured that some people are willing to do whatever it takes to sustain their basic needs,” surmised Maine, who’s nevertheless overwhelmed by the love and support she has been receiving.

“Manning this whole donation drive by myself isn’t that easy. But I’m glad that I get to help in my own way in this time of crisis. Thank you very much to everyone who helped and showed support!”

Meanwhile, asked how she has been taking care of her physical and mental well-being while in quarantine, Maine said she tried to keep herself occupied every day. “I read and write most of the time; trying to be productive and learning at the same time,” she related. “As for the physical aspect, well … I don’t know how to get myself to do some physical activities. But I try to eat healthy … sometimes!”

As everyone continues to weather this storm, Maine urged people to take care of themselves and their loved ones, and say a prayer for those who are suffering.

“Let’s not forget to take a moment to pray for those who are greatly affected by the coronavirus crisis; for those who suffer; for the healing of the sick; for our modern-day heroes; for the safety and sanity of everyone,” she said.

“We will all get through this in time. Kapit lang!” INQ