BY JOEE GUILAS
AT A GLANCE
The Thrillmaker bumped into Max during the recent tree lighting event of Newport World Resorts, which officially opened the facility’s Yuletide celebration dubbed “The World of Christmas.”
The Thrillmaker bumped into Max during the recent tree lighting event of Newport World Resorts, which officially opened the facility’s Yuletide celebration dubbed “The World of Christmas.”
Looking gorgeous, wearing a sparkly dress that made her stand out that night, the GMA artist fearlessly predicts that her friend will surely bring the country back in the game in this year’s competition after last year’s exclusion of Philippine representative Celeste Cortesi from the pageant’s first cut. Max is confident that Michelle will go far and reach the top 10 and even the top 3 of this year’s competition, with destiny eventually dictating her final ranking and placement.
“I’m praying that she wins,” she said.
Admitting that she has had some short exchanges with Michelle since the contest started in El Salvador, Max shared that Michelle has been in high spirits since her arrival despite adjusting to certain things she now has to do independently.
“She’s been very busy but she’s very excited. I think she’s more prepared than ever, she’s been waiting for this moment forever. I just know about her excitement and stress as well. I know she’s kinda stressed out because she’s doing her make-up and her hair on her own. It’s different to be away from the comforts of home, but she’s always up for the challenge,” Max declared.
Asked about Michelle’s speculation on the final evening gown, the bestie could only say: “Even the best friend hasn’t seen it. She’s been very secretive about her final gown. It’ll be a surprise for all of us.”
Come Nov. 19 (Philippine time), Max will surely be among many fans cheering for Michelle to go all the way and bag the country’s fifth Miss Universe title. She said: “Michelle, good luck. We’re all praying for you. Go get that crown!”
For her part, Max has also been winning her own crowns in local show business. She is currently shooting a new GMA teleserye which is intended to be aired by next year. The project has Marian Rivera and Gabby Concepcion as her co-stars and is entitled “My Guardian Alien.” This is the first time Max will be pitting acting talents with Marian, which she took as a challenge: “I thought it was going to be more challenging, but it was fun for me. I was kinda nervous about it initially, but when we shot the scene, it just came naturally, and I enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to doing more scenes with her,” she disclosed.
On top of her new TV project, Max is also excited about her film “Firefly,” which made it to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. In the movie, she shares lead billing with Alessandra de Rossi and Dingdong Dantes.
“It’s a family movie. It is a beautiful story. Nakakaiyak talaga yung story. Nakakatuwa, nakaka-aliw, lahat! I really hope that people get to watch it.”
Well, I’m sure they’ll do but not until after they see how Michelle rules the Miss Universe stage in San Salvador a few days from now!
