Maymay Entrata Is Overcoming Pressure And Building A Paradise Of Her Own

Boldly pursuing one’s passion is easier said than done. Beyond the excitement (and fear) such action involves, it requires having the tenacity to keep pushing yourself forward. This is something Maymay Entrata knows very well, especially after she found her love for singing.

For many, Maymay’s name needs no introduction. She’s a beloved actress, a highly sought-after model, a fan-favorite host, and so much more. But most of all, she is also an accomplished singer, releasing multiple songs over the years, including such hits as “AMAKABOGERA,” “Tsada Mahigugma,” and more. And for her, this is where she truly belongs – mic in hand and taking on an endeavor that is nothing short of a fulfilling a God-given pursuit.

But it wasn’t always this way for her.

Finding Her Passion

In 2021, five years or so into her time in the dazzling limelight, Maymay found herself at a crossroads, noticing an immense lack of personal happiness with what she was doing with her career. It got to a point where she even considered leaving the industry and what she had built for herself altogether, struggling to find any joy in what she did as an artist at that time.

It was during this moment in her life that Maymay discovered a more profound interest in singing, finding herself deeply falling in love with it. However, she initially avoided fully pursuing the art form, questioning if it was something she could actually do and take to the next level. In spite of this self-doubt, she kept “trying” and “learning” all about it, which eventually helped her completely realize what she was truly passionate about. It was through this and releasing the aforementioned “AMAKABOGERA” that Maymay found her calling – a reason to keep going as an artist.

“Looking back po, I’ve learned so much from my experiences. Hindi lang sa successes ko po, pero pati na rin ‘yung mga trials (not just in my successes, but with the trials as well),” Maymay tells Billboard Philippines when asked what else has motivated her to keep going with her passion. She mentions that the ability for music to meaningfully connect people inspires her to do so, likening its effect to “magic” – in a way that it can be used to help others. “It reminds me po talaga na ‘yung passion na pinili ko (it really reminds me that the passion I chose), which is music, is worth pursuing kasi (because) it pushes me to keep improving, helping others, and sharing more of myself through my music.

For Those Who Feel Lost

With her being no stranger to feeling lost as an artist, Maymay personally knows what it means to undergo trial and error when chasing one’s dreams. “Based on experience, don’t be too hard on yourselves,” she imparts when asked what advice she would give to those who want to give up on what they’re passionate about, especially the young artists who look up to her. “Learning something new will take time, hindi po siya (it’s not an) overnight process. Hindi siya madali, lalo na kapag nagsisimula ka pa lang (it’s not easy, especially if you’re just starting out).

In addition, as she pursues being a singer alongside her multiple other roles as an artist, Maymay admits that pressure does exist for her to always equally excel in all these fields. At least, that was her case in the past. “Dati po talaga (Before), merong (there was) pressure paano ko babalansehin ‘yung mga ginagawa ko (how I will be able to balance what I was doing), ‘yung mga proyekto na binibigay sa akin (the projects I was being given). Mahirap talaga siya kasi ako ‘yung taong binibigay ‘yung best ko sa bawat proyekto (It was really difficult because I’m a person who gives their best in every single project), kahit ano pa yan (whatever it may be).”

Now, however, after almost nine years in the industry, Maymay shares that she has become wiser from her experiences, expressing that she has become “more courageous” over the years. “What helps me to manage the pressure is to keep reminding myself na (that) I don’t have to be perfect all the time. I should be focused on being present and doing my best,” she notes, adding that being surrounded by people who genuinely care for her and support her has also immensely helped. “I try to take things one step at a time. Kailangan ng patience nun (that requires patience). ‘Yung patience, hindi galing sa akin (That patience, it doesn’t come from me). I keep praying for it.”

Navigating (A Toxic) Paradise

With this perspective, Maymay is going into 2025 with a lot of hope, ambition, and drive, aiming to use her music for a much greater purpose than for herself alone. Specifically, with her first release of the year – the single entitled “Paradise.”

Described by Maymay herself as a song that “comes from the bottom of [her] heart,” the release of the electro-pop “Paradise” last February 20, 2025 was nothing short of long-awaited. It served as a brand-new track from the singer, following a series of remixes, an English version of “AMAKABOGERA”, a Christmas single, and live recordings she has released in the past two years since 2023’s “Tsada Mahigugma.”

With it’s release, Maymay is welcoming an exciting new era in her journey as an artist, especially with this being her first actual all-English song. “It feels amazing to finally share ‘Paradise,’ hindi lang sa (not just in the) Philippines pero (but) globally [as well],” she expresses, thanking and crediting renowned American songwriter and record producer Amy Allen (Sabrina Carpenter, Harry Styles, Rosé) for creating the track, alongside Boy Matthews, Peter Rycroft, and Tommy Brown.

Diving into the meaning of the song, Maymay notes that when she announced the release of the single, “people were expecting a serene or peaceful paradise” based on the title. However, the true meaning of song couldn’t be far from such. “The song is about ‘yung feeling na you’re trapped or stuck in someone’s ‘paradise’ and when you feel that way, the person who controls that ‘paradise’ will also have the power to control you, to control your life,” she reveals, describing it as “toxic paradise.” 

Expounding on this, the singer-actress emphasizes that “there’s no such thing as a true love na (that’s) controlling,” noting that when one manages to escape such a reality, they may often feel lost because they are trying to find the paradise that they actually deserve. “What I want my listeners to learn from this is that, malaki ‘yung hope ko na (I have huge hopes that) the moment they listen to this song, it will help them feel that they deserve genuine love, that they deserve genuine happiness – a paradise that truly belongs to them.”

Future Plans

As Maymay takes on the rest of the year, she shares that, while there are no concrete plans are in place yet, she does have a “very personal” goal she wants to achieve as she looks towards the future of her blossoming career as a singer.

“I want my music to show them that life has many trials and challenges and that I believe it’s important to face them in the right way.,” she reveals, noting her desire to help others experience the happiness that she feels thanks to being able to pursue what she truly loves to do. “I hope through my songs, I can remind people that even through tough times, we can find strength to move forward. Some people get stuck sa (in a) reality na (that), ‘Dito na lang (This is the end of the road),’ kasi feeling nila wala nang direksiyon buhay nila (because they feel that their life has no direction). So, I want to change their perspective through my songs.”

_{Photographed by Alan Segui. Art Direction by Nicole Almero. Photography assisted by John Lim and Genio Frondoza. Styling and Glam courtesy of ABS-CBN Music. Produced by Mika Cruz. Special thanks to our Food Partner TA-KA MNL, Pastry Partner Tinapay Artisan Bakery, and our Coffee Partner harlan + holden coffee.}

Listen to Maymay Entrata’s “Paradise” below: