Mario Maurer returning to Manila for fan meet

MANILA — Thai supertar Mario Maurer, best known to Filipinos for his 2012 film under ABS-CBN's Star Cinema, is returning to the country in June for a fan meet.

Maurer, 31, will get together with his fans on June 28 at SM City North EDSA's Skydome in Quezon City, producer Wish Us Luck announced on Tuesday.

Maurer made his film breakthrough in 2007 via "The Love of Siam," before achieving international popularity with "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" in 2010.


The success of that movie paved the way for international projects for Maurer, including Star Cinema's "Suddenly It's Magic" with Filipino actress Erich Gonzales.

He also became a brand ambassador of a Philippine clothing line, leading to his numerous visits to the country.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Cacai Bautista cries over Mario Maurer

MANILA, Philippines – Cacai Bautista turned emotional as she expressed gratitude to Mario Maurer for their strong friendship amid the intrigues surrounding their relationship.


In an interview with "Showbiz Inside Report" aired Saturday, the comedienne-actress said she did not expect to form a close relationship with the Thai superstar, given his stature as an international celebrity.

"Naiiyak ako kasi sobrang bait niya talaga sa akin. Hindi ko kasi akalain na magiging magkaibigan kami na ganito eh. Kasi 'yung mga tao... Porket ba komedyante na chaka hindi na pwedeng magkaroon ng kaibigan na sikat na superstar, na international star?

"Siya lang 'yung nagpatunay na wala talagang pinipili 'yung totoong pagkakaibigan, kahit ano ka pa. Marami akong kaibigan, pero 'di ba, sino ba mag-aakala na ako lang, si Cacai lang [ang magiging kaibigan ni Mario]," she said of her "Suddenly It's Magic" co-star.

In November, during an interview on the comedy talk show "Gandang Gabi Vice," Bautista and Maurer said they have become close friends over the course of filming of "Suddenly It's Magic," his first movie produced by a Philippine entertainment company.

In the Rory Quintos-directed romantic-comedy, Maurer was paired with actress Erich Gonzales. Bautista also appeared in the film in a supporting role.

'Real friendship'

Following the recent spread of rumors romantically linking her to the 24-year-old actor, who is 10 years her junior, Bautista admitted that she had been hurt by certain reactions to their supposed relationship as a couple. Among them, she said, were allegations that she is only using the Thai heartthrob to boost her popularity.

"Minsan natatawa ako, minsan nase-stress ako. Wala naman ako pakialam kahit ano pang sabihin -- 'ambisyosa,' 'ilusyonada.' Pero 'yung sasabihin nila na I'm using Mario to be popular... Kasi hindi naman showbiz 'yung friendship namin eh. Totoong friendship iyon 'no," she said.

Bautista said she has apologized to Maurer for the intrigues surrounding their friendship. "Pero siya, deadma lang siya. Sabi niya, 'I don't have to worry. Stop worrying. You're my sister. I want you to be happy," she said.

Rumors of the comedienne's supposed romantic relationship with Maurer surfaced after the singer posted a series of photos on image-sharing site Instagram showing her with the Thai actor, his friends and family members.

The photos were taken during Bautista's trip to Thailand in February, less than a month after Maurer and his long-time girlfriend actress Gubgib Sumontip confirmed that they had broken up.

Meeting Mario

In her "Showbiz Inside Report" interview, Bautista related that her trip to the country was not entirely intended as a visit to her film co-star.

"Every year kasi, itong mga barkada ko, pupunta kami out of the country, so Thailand naman [kami ngayong taon]. Hindi ko naman siya (Maurer) ino-oblige na, 'O, pupunta ako, kitain mo 'ko. 'If ever na you're free, we can meet. I hope to see you,' sabi ko. Sabi niya, 'I hope to see you po.'

"Finally the next day, third day [in Thailand], text niya, 'What are you doing today?' Sabi ko, 'I'm just waiting for your text and your call. Tapos iyon, sabi niya let's meet up sa oras na 'to," Bautista said.

The singer-comedienne recalled that Maurer arrived sweaty at their meeting place. According to Bautista, the actor explained that he had to ride a motorcycle to avoid traffic. "Sabi niya, 'I don't want to keep you waiting, I don't want to be late,'" she said.

Falling in love?

Maintaining that she and Maurer are only friends, Bautista said they nonetheless exchange words of affection by saying "I love you."

Asked whether their relationship may lead her to develop romantic feelings for the actor, Bautista said, "Siyempre, sumasagi 'yun sa isip ko. who wouldn't fall in love for a guy who's really nice, who has simple dreams?"

"Everybody would fall in love not only with the Mario who is a superstar, but Mario as the person that he is. Parang, wow. Ako rin, may ganoon din. Pero sa ngayon gusto ko maging steady 'yung friendship namin," she said.

Once again turning emotional, Bautista extended her message to Maurer, thanking him for assuring her of their friendship.

"Thank you for being a friend. I know you don’t want me to worry anymore, but [it's just] because I want to protect you. I love you po," she said.

"Whatever happens, I will still be your friend no matter what, even if you're not Mario the star anymore, I promise you that. Thank you so much," she said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Maurer never dreamt of becoming an actor

MANILA, Philippines – Thai actor Mario Maurer admitted it was never his dream to become an actor when he was younger.


During the press conference for his upcoming film “Suddenly It’s Magic” on Monday night, Maurer said he just tried his luck in show business because he wanted to earn his own money.

“When I was younger I wanted to be a businessman like my dad. When I started acting, I just wanted to find some money for my mom and I wanted to buy my own skateboard at that time. I never thought I’d be an actor so I had to learn from my teachers later on,” he said.

But Maurer said he eventually learned to love acting. However, it was not a smooth road for the 23-year-old on his journey to fame.

“The sacrifices I have to make, sometimes when I go to the mall, instead of enjoying my personal time, I have to share it with the fans. For me it’s okay. Sometimes my friends ask why but now they understand that it’s part of my job,” he said.

Despite this, Maurer said he sees himself still doing movies 10 years from now.

“Yes, of course, but not so much. Only if I have free time. I will put up a home business... I will be at home and riding my classic cars,” he said.

Maurer rose to fame for his critically acclaimed roles in the Thai films "The Love of Siam,” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

He is currently in the Philippines to promote “Suddenly It’s Magic,” which is set to hit theaters nationwide on Wednesday.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Maurer surprised by slapping scene in movie

MANILA, Philippines - Thai actor Mario Maurer said he will never forget his experience working on the film “Suddenly It’s Magic” with actress Erich Gonzales.

"The first day I spoke to direk, she told me that, 'You know here in the Philippines when we work we start like friends and we finish we became a family,'" Maurer said.

Director Rory Quintos said she will never forget the slapping scene of Maurer and Gonzales, especially when the Thai actor was caught by surprise when Gonzales really slapped him.

"He told me that in Thailand, people don't really get slap, dinadaya. And I said, 'Oh, here in the Philippines, it's not (like that). You will really get slapped.' So that was it. So there was a little tension there," she said.

But despite that incident, Gonzales and Maurer eventually got closer, according to the director.

"Sabi ko you know you remind me so much of an actor who was once a superstar here in the Philippines. His name is Rico Yan," Quintos said.

It so happened that at the time, someone had a copy of the late actor's movie "Got 2 Believe" with Claudine Barretto on the set. Quintos then showed Maurer the movie.

"Siguro na-realize niya na medyo kamukha niya because he ended watching the whole film," Quintos said.

Maurer is set to fly back in Manila on Sunday for the premire night of "Suddenly It's Magic" on Tuesday.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Mario-Erich chemistry was 'instant,' says director

MANILA, Philippines – The onscreen chemistry of Thai actor Mario Maurer and Kapamilya star Erich Gonzales happened to just click, according to the director of their first big screen team-up.



"Right away there was chemistry, right away, first shooting day, first scene, first sequence, first shot, bagay na bagay sila sa isa't-isa," said Rory Quintos, director of Star Cinema's upcoming romantic-comedy film "Suddenly It's Magic."

The film tells the story of a Marcus Hanson (Maurer), a superstar in his native Thailand, who finds love in the Philippines, where he meets baker Joey Hermosa (Gonzales).

Recounting how the "team-up" came about, Quintos said: "[I got a call that] there was this project with a Thai actor, Mario Maurer, and that he was going to be paired with a female actress."

"When I found out that it was Erich, I was very happy because at that time that I got the call from Star Cinema, I was with Erich in 'Maria la del Barrio.' We did the series together," Quintos added, referring to the Kapamilya series first aired in 2011.

Maurer, who rose to fame for his critically-acclaimed role in the 2008 Thai film "The Love of Siam," was not particularly hard to get along with, Quintos shared.

"When Mario came here, when we met, what struck me most was that he seemed like such a nice boy, and he's really, really cute. I think women of all generations would appreciate how cute he is," she said.

Also Joross Gamboa, Joy Viado, Guji Lorenzana, Ces Quesada, Dinkee Doo, John Lee and Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul, "Suddenly It's Magic" will hit theaters nationwide on October 31.

source: abs-cbnnews.com