Maymay Entrata recently opened up about why she had been going in and out of the limelight in the past years. She vulnerably shared the personal challenges she faced, particularly the emotional weight of having her mom and grandmother (who both raised her) dealing with medical conditions.
As Maymay turns 28 today, May 6, she offers something more than a typical birthday wish.
“No matter what trials I face in life, I will always choose to be happy, to stay hopeful, and to never give up,” she told Manila Standard Entertainment in an exclusive interview during last month’s Star Magic Spotlight event. “Life won’t always be joyful or perfect, but I hope I remain grounded through it all.”
It’s a sentiment that echoes where she is today—not just as an artist, but as a person learning to prioritize what matters. For the first time in a long while, Maymay bared a side of herself that fans rarely see.
“Andito ako sa point na hangga’t may oras ako na makapiling ko yung dalawang nanay ko, gagawin ko—palipad-lipad man ako sa Cagayan de Oro o Japan, paulit-ulit gagawin ko po. Sobrang mahal na mahal ko po sila.”
She added, “Yun yung dahilan kung bakit on and off ako sa showbiz nitong mga nakaraang taon po sa buhay ko.”
Maymay’s honesty shows the kind of growth that often goes unseen. While she remains in the public eye, her new album, Reborn shows a deeper side of her journey.
“Yung Reborn hindi lang siya title—parang ‘remember me’ ba doon sa darkest moments na pinagdaanan ko, na kaya ko pa rin pala bumangon despite all of that, kaya ko pa rin pala mabuo ulit yung sarili ko.”
The album was born from a collaborative process that started in a music camp with U.S. composers and producers. It speaks of pain, healing, and love—told through different genres and stages of emotion, including her newest single, “Paradise,” which leans into darker themes.
Known as the “Amakabogera” hitmaker, Maymay has built a music career that spans beyond viral moments. She was also chosen to record the Filipino version of the iconic Snow White theme song, “Nasaan ang Hiling?” for Disney. It’s a project that pushed her musically and emotionally.
“Una, nung sinabi sa’kin, talagang hindi ako makapaniwala… ‘Magiging princess ako?!’ And knowing Disney… for me to be a part of it… talagang dream come true talaga sa’kin,” she enthused.
Now starring in an upcoming Netflix mini-series titled Happy Crush, directed by Carlo Catu, Maymay prioritizes creative fulfillment over constant visibility.
In matters of the heart, she says she already feels complete. “As long as I’m full of love from God and my family, I already feel complete. If someone romantic comes into my life, that’s just a bonus.”
Speaking on the latest PBB season, she also offered words that reflect her current mindset: “Sino ba naman po tayo para hindi bigyan ng chance yung mga taong nagkakasala, eh tayo, hindi rin tayo perpekto. Sa madaling salita, sana instead of pulling people down, why not just help each other up to be better?”