By RUEL J. MENDOZA
SUMULAT ang isang fan ng isang open letter para kay Maine Mendoza pagkatapos nitong mabasa ang mga saloobin ng Phenomenal Star sa nilabas nitong open letter sa Twitter.
Ang fan na ito ay nag ngangalang Patricia Era, ang managing editor ng libro ni Maine na “Yup, I Am That Girl.”
Heto ang open letter niya para kay Maine:
“To be honest, I was not surprised by your letter. If people were only paying attention to your online posts, and the things you shared in your book, they’d know this day would come, too.
“I just didn’t know it would happen this soon. I must say, if there’s one thing you’re good at, it’s being unpredictable.
“I’m not going to lie; I wasn’t a huge fan of yours at first. You seemed like a snob. I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to meet the Maine I saw on television.
“But over the course of working and communicating with you, even just via Viber, for your book, I started to see a whole new Maine. I realized, tao ka lang. You were exhausted from juggling so many commitments, and having to meet expectations of other people.
“What I admired most about you was that you knew what you wanted. There were some entries in your book that the editorial team felt uneasy to include, but you stuck with them, and chose to be unedited even if your career might be at risk.
“For that, you gained our respect.
“So I’m replying to your letter not only as one of your editors for your book, but also as your fan.
“And I want you to know three things: Sorry for making you feel that way. We do not mean to put you in a box, but this is only because we did not know our limits as your admirers. That’s on us. Sorry for hurting you and the people you love because of this.
“At the end of the day, nobody knows the full story but you.
“Sorry if you feel like we are dictating how you should live your life, because we react negatively whenever you fail to show us what we want to see from your showbiz and personal life.
“Yes, to be a celebrity was your secret dream, but with how things are going, no wonder this dream-come-true is becoming a nightmare.
“Our goal is to cheer you on as you go along this journey and push you to the top of your game, but sadly, we just pushed you to the edge. Sorry, Maine.
“Thank you for pushing yourself to make people happy just by being yourself. Thank you for being real.
“This statement may be a cliché to most of us, but it’s rare to find a celebrity who has the courage to voice out opinions even if the majority would disagree.
“Your letter is an inspiration to all people, celebrities or not, to share what they truly feel, and let go of their fears.
“By this, I hope you achieve what you really, really want in this lifetime. I wish for the day that you would be able to ignore all the hate you’re getting, because you don’t deserve it.
“I hope you’ll stop putting too much pressure on yourself, because you have done more than enough even at such a young age.
“I wish you’d be able to face more challenges in life with your brave heart and beautiful soul.
“I wish that you continue to inspire more people with what you have done and with what you’re fighting for.
“But in case you decide to give up this life under the spotlight, know that it’s your choice and no one else’s.
“I’m just wondering how you are right now. I’m not sure if you’ll answer me with, ‘I’m doing great!’ after everything…but let me tell you that you are.
“The future is brighter because of your letter. Just do you, Maine.
“P.S. I’m still a fan. Count me in.”
