MANILA, Philippines - We’re guessing you’ve seen it: that huge billboard redefining the term “traffic-stopping.” In a place where crazy traffic never, well, stops (Manila) and at a time that we wish it just would (Christmas, or just any given day), Gossip Girl fan backlash be damned. I think it’s high-time an Asian took over that coveted spot on EDSA, as they’ve done with everything else, don’t you? Penshoppe sure did and the move is reaping its rewards: Mario Maurer, once Thailand’s best-kept secret, now a certified international heartthrob is the most recent addendum to the Filipina’s wish list, making us wish we took notice earlier. (No, thank you, o ye dubbed version of Crazy Little Thing Called Love) “The best gift comes with a smile,” it says on the sign, emblazoned… we agree, especially coming from this side of where we’re sitting. The newest Penshoppe guy is young, he’s the hottest thing since sliced hottest things, and really, one of the most affable brand ambassadors we’ve ever — as in ever, since the dawn of time — come across.
“The billboard is so big. I’ve never had that huge (a) billboard in Thailand. So this is the biggest billboard for me in my life,” Mario says of his gargantuan (albeit adorable) mug up there in Manila’s busiest avenue. “I got very excited because I know that Penshoppe is very big (in the Philippines) and it was a very good chance for me to come here to and meet my fans again,” he says of the encore fashion show held last Dec. 13. It was the brand’s pre-Christmas “thank you” to the wild success that was Penshoppe’s Invasion, for which Mario did the runway rounds during Philippine Fashion Week. Like the brand’s jeans, Mario is a perfect fit for Penshoppe. “I think the jeans of Penshoppe have many designs and (are) very comfortable to wear. I got, like, 30 jeans at home of Penshoppe. I wear, like, Monday, another one, Tuesday another one, Thursday another one…”
This one-night-only affair heightened the romance of the Thai superstar’s return, only several short weeks after his Manila trip last October for PFW. Not that they needed to pause for effect, though because Mario’s been more than happy to do the work. How has he been feeling about all the buzz? “Very cool. It’s like… like a big dream come true,” he answers. An active tweeter (@ohohmario; 319,034 followers and counting), he’s never let the ball drop on keeping in touch with the fans, his heart-warming devotion to them never a secret. Some say the candor stems from his age (a newly-minted 24 last Dec. 4). Others say from his heritage — the affectionate Thai-German actor is rumoured to have always been a sweetheart, onscreen and off. “To all the tweets you tweet me — I appreciate that, and if I didn’t answer you I will try to answer you. My phone is very bad lately. I wanna change my phone! And if I have time, I will tweet you. I love you very much,” he said.
He loves us! (We believe him.) He’s a master of the perfect boyfriend-y line to suit that perfect boyfriend image. Brand director Alex Mendoza concurs “Mario’s first campaign will show a swoon-worthy, adorable boy next door. We feel Mario looks best when he is portrayed as an approachable, sweet, and gorgeous guy that you can’t wait to make yours.” And seeing how a movie, Suddenly It’s Magic, is already in the pipeline for filming in April 2012 — Erich Gonzales, prepare to be stalked within an inch of your real and virtual life — it looks like we at least get to partake in the dream as well. Can’t wait that long for a super Mario fix? Then keep those stalkerazzi cams ready this January when his special Maalaala Mo Kaya episode is slated to be filmed. Fans of his drama chops who’ve been left aching for more (see, sniff, sob: The Love of Siam) are sure to enjoy the break from his bubblegum projects.
Smiling, winking, Mario’s that cute boy next door you can’t wait to have under your tree (or under the mistletoe, if, say, we’re short on time or inhibition), who spouts adorable shout-outs like “To all the fans that could not come last time, finally we’ve come to meet each other in person!” It seems like he’s got Manila under his spell: the guy you can bring home to mommy, this fresh face to launch a thousand shirts and can speak no evil.
Oh, but wait: “Filipinas? I think they’re very sexy.”
One-up!