Here's Mario Maurer "Take 3"
Philstar – Sun, Oct 14, 2012
You’ve been to the Philippines thrice. What did you find memorable during those visits?
“There are so memorable things, from the first shoot with Penshoppe, Fashion Week and the shoot with Star Cinema for Suddenly It’s Magic. I would say that the most memorable things for me every time I am in the Philippines are the people I work with and my fans. They have been very nice, warm and supportive. They made me feel at-home every time I was there. And I hope that the people in the Philippines will continue supporting me and my work especially the recent project, Suddenly It’s Magic.”
Tell us about the Penshoppe shoot and about your experience on the set of Suddenly It’s Magic.
“The shoot for Penshoppe was great! I recently had a chance to work with them again when we shot here in Bangkok. I love all my campaigns with Penshoppe. They are very creative and easy to work with. I love their products and I even wore some of Penshoppe clothes in my TV series in Thailand.
“For the movie shoot, of course working with Erich was always fun. We worked hard on the set but we always got to talk and joke around in-between takes. It was like that not just with Erich but with the entire cast, director Rory and the crew. I had so much fun shooting with the team.”
“We had a lot of fun during the shoot in the Philippines and in Thailand. I learned a lot of Tagalog words from them. We exchanged stories about our countries and also about the industry in Thailand and in the Philippines. Director Rory also joined us in our chats. Joross kept us laughing so much during the shoot. Great fun for all of us.”
How are Filipino girls similar to and different from Thai girls?
“I think we Asians look quite similar. Of course, both Filipino and Thai girls are beautiful and kind. The only difference is the language we speak and probably how the Filipinos could sing so well. I can say almost everyone in the Philippines could sing really well, whereas in Thailand that doesn’t come easy.”
What kind of girls do you find attractive? What are the qualities that you want in your “dream girl”?
“I like girls who are nice and funny and happy to be with. I don’t have a ‘dream girl.’ You wouldn’t know that she’s the one until you meet her. That’s why love is like magic. Don’t forget to watch my movie Suddenly It’s Magic. Watch it and you will agree with me.”
How different is making movies in Thailand and making movies in the Philippines? What about the fans, how are Thai fans like or unlike Filipino fans?
“Of course, in Thailand it’s much easier because there are no cultural differences or adjustments that I have to do. It may take awhile to adjust but we got it quick. I really had so much fun with my Suddenly It’s Magic shoot.”
“The fans, both Thai and Filipino, and fans from other countries are quite similar. They are passionate, they are loyal and very supportive. I love them all.”
Your huge billboards are all over Metro Manila. How did you feel when you saw them during your second visit? Do you have similar billboards in Thailand?
“I was very happy to see them. They’re all very nice. Penshoppe always launches a nice campaign not only for me but also for the other endorsers. I have billboards in Thailand, too, but they are different because in Thailand the billboards are focused not only on the endorsers but also on the products. Most of them are horizontal in shape. I noticed that in the Philippines, the billboards focus on the endorsers a lot which is good. I would love to see more billboards of me. (Smile) Thank you to my Penshoppe family.”
Mario and Erich create their own kind of magic in this series of scenes from the movie directed by Rory Quintos (below), showing Oct. 31 nationwide
You were daring in some of your movies, especially in Love of Siam where your character has an affair with another guy. How did you feel during the shoot of your kissing scenes? How daring can you be in your future movies?
“It was work. I take my work seriously and I love acting. I prepare for any project that I do. For future movies, for as long as the role is good, relevant and will entertain a lot of people, I am open to it.”
In what roles are your most at-home in, comedy or drama?
“I can do any role. As I said, as long as it’s good and interesting I am open to it.”
Have you ever dreamed to be an actor?
“No, I just wanted to make some money when I did my first movie. I didn’t think I would like it this much. Now I am enjoying it and very happy to have this as my career.”
How do you handle success? Do you still enjoy even a little privacy?
“I have to thank all my fans for their support and people who give me the opportunity and have trust in me. I understand we are public figures and it’s only good to have the fans supporting us. I am okay and happy to make my fans happy. But of course a little privacy sometimes is nice, too.”
How are you like away from the limelight? How do you spend your spare time? What are your interests?
“I love cars. My favorite is Volkswagen. I collect vintage cars. I spend my free time fixing all my cars with my close friend who is half-Filipino. Working on my cars helps relax my mind. I love traveling, too. If I have time, I drive to some resort near Bangkok to unwind.”
Who are your role models?
“I have only one — my dad. He is the coolest person I know.”
You will be back in Manila on Oct. 29 for the presscon of Suddenly It’s Magic. Are you ready to face the Philippine media?
“Actually, I will be joining ASAP in Singapore (today, Oct. 14). But I am excited to go back to Manila and meet the press and the fans. Yes, definitely I’m ready to meet the press! And I will be there also to guest in some ABS-CBN shows, and I’m looking forward to the premiere night for our movie.”
And lastly, if you were somebody else, who would you be, and why?
“Hmmm…I’d still love to be me.”
CONVERSATIONS With Ricky Lo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
“There are so memorable things, from the first shoot with Penshoppe, Fashion Week and the shoot with Star Cinema for Suddenly It’s Magic. I would say that the most memorable things for me every time I am in the Philippines are the people I work with and my fans. They have been very nice, warm and supportive. They made me feel at-home every time I was there. And I hope that the people in the Philippines will continue supporting me and my work especially the recent project, Suddenly It’s Magic.”
Tell us about the Penshoppe shoot and about your experience on the set of Suddenly It’s Magic.
“The shoot for Penshoppe was great! I recently had a chance to work with them again when we shot here in Bangkok. I love all my campaigns with Penshoppe. They are very creative and easy to work with. I love their products and I even wore some of Penshoppe clothes in my TV series in Thailand.
“For the movie shoot, of course working with Erich was always fun. We worked hard on the set but we always got to talk and joke around in-between takes. It was like that not just with Erich but with the entire cast, director Rory and the crew. I had so much fun shooting with the team.”
“We had a lot of fun during the shoot in the Philippines and in Thailand. I learned a lot of Tagalog words from them. We exchanged stories about our countries and also about the industry in Thailand and in the Philippines. Director Rory also joined us in our chats. Joross kept us laughing so much during the shoot. Great fun for all of us.”
How are Filipino girls similar to and different from Thai girls?
“I think we Asians look quite similar. Of course, both Filipino and Thai girls are beautiful and kind. The only difference is the language we speak and probably how the Filipinos could sing so well. I can say almost everyone in the Philippines could sing really well, whereas in Thailand that doesn’t come easy.”
What kind of girls do you find attractive? What are the qualities that you want in your “dream girl”?
“I like girls who are nice and funny and happy to be with. I don’t have a ‘dream girl.’ You wouldn’t know that she’s the one until you meet her. That’s why love is like magic. Don’t forget to watch my movie Suddenly It’s Magic. Watch it and you will agree with me.”
How different is making movies in Thailand and making movies in the Philippines? What about the fans, how are Thai fans like or unlike Filipino fans?
“Of course, in Thailand it’s much easier because there are no cultural differences or adjustments that I have to do. It may take awhile to adjust but we got it quick. I really had so much fun with my Suddenly It’s Magic shoot.”
“The fans, both Thai and Filipino, and fans from other countries are quite similar. They are passionate, they are loyal and very supportive. I love them all.”
Your huge billboards are all over Metro Manila. How did you feel when you saw them during your second visit? Do you have similar billboards in Thailand?
“I was very happy to see them. They’re all very nice. Penshoppe always launches a nice campaign not only for me but also for the other endorsers. I have billboards in Thailand, too, but they are different because in Thailand the billboards are focused not only on the endorsers but also on the products. Most of them are horizontal in shape. I noticed that in the Philippines, the billboards focus on the endorsers a lot which is good. I would love to see more billboards of me. (Smile) Thank you to my Penshoppe family.”
Mario and Erich create their own kind of magic in this series of scenes from the movie directed by Rory Quintos (below), showing Oct. 31 nationwide
You were daring in some of your movies, especially in Love of Siam where your character has an affair with another guy. How did you feel during the shoot of your kissing scenes? How daring can you be in your future movies?
“It was work. I take my work seriously and I love acting. I prepare for any project that I do. For future movies, for as long as the role is good, relevant and will entertain a lot of people, I am open to it.”
In what roles are your most at-home in, comedy or drama?
“I can do any role. As I said, as long as it’s good and interesting I am open to it.”
Have you ever dreamed to be an actor?
“No, I just wanted to make some money when I did my first movie. I didn’t think I would like it this much. Now I am enjoying it and very happy to have this as my career.”
How do you handle success? Do you still enjoy even a little privacy?
“I have to thank all my fans for their support and people who give me the opportunity and have trust in me. I understand we are public figures and it’s only good to have the fans supporting us. I am okay and happy to make my fans happy. But of course a little privacy sometimes is nice, too.”
How are you like away from the limelight? How do you spend your spare time? What are your interests?
“I love cars. My favorite is Volkswagen. I collect vintage cars. I spend my free time fixing all my cars with my close friend who is half-Filipino. Working on my cars helps relax my mind. I love traveling, too. If I have time, I drive to some resort near Bangkok to unwind.”
Who are your role models?
“I have only one — my dad. He is the coolest person I know.”
You will be back in Manila on Oct. 29 for the presscon of Suddenly It’s Magic. Are you ready to face the Philippine media?
“Actually, I will be joining ASAP in Singapore (today, Oct. 14). But I am excited to go back to Manila and meet the press and the fans. Yes, definitely I’m ready to meet the press! And I will be there also to guest in some ABS-CBN shows, and I’m looking forward to the premiere night for our movie.”
And lastly, if you were somebody else, who would you be, and why?
“Hmmm…I’d still love to be me.”
CONVERSATIONS With Ricky Lo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)