MAUREEN ROBLEWITZ was the big winner in the modeling competition, Asia’s Next Top Model Season 5, becoming the first Pinay to win.
She then went into TV hosting in “Eat Bulaga”. She is currently a candidate in the Miss Philippines Universe pageant which has been stalled by the ECQ.
So before she competes in it, watch first the very first movie she did, “Runaway”, which was filmed entirely on location in beautiful New Zealand, with full cooperation of that country’s tourism board.
She’s understandably excited with her acting debut. How did she prepare for it?
“First of all, I took lessons on how to speak Tagalog more fluently as many of my lines are in Tagalog,” she says.
“I didn’t get to take any acting workshop, but our director, Katski Flores, who also wrote the script, taught me everything I need to know on how to interpret well my character, Hannah, a girl who is running away from her dad and her sheltered life in Manila.
"I’m glad I took this journey and what a beautiful journey it is with Reality Entertainment and producer Dondon Monteverde who’s very supportive.”
Maureen is the third of four daughters of a Pinay mom and a German dad who met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
She was born there and when she was 12, her mom died and her dad moved her and her sisters to Germany.
At 15, a talent manager encouraged her to go to Manila to pursue a modeling career and that’s how she got to compete in “Asia’s Next Top Model”. And now, she is trying the movies and acting.
“I’ve been so excited to talk about our movie for so long and I’m happy that the day for me to proudly announce it has finally come!” she says.
“I’m glad I accepted this new challenge for me and now our movie will be shown streaming on Upstream.ph starting September 3.
I hope you will enjoy watching ‘Runaway’ because the scenery we showed in various locations is just breathtaking.”
She is paired with Kit Thompson as her leading man, Ben, a Pinoy expatriate in New Zealand who, unlike her, is dying to go back home to the Philippines.
They meet by chance and Ben acts as her personal guide who shows her around in touring all the breathtaking scenic spots in New Zealand.
Eventually, they fall for each other. So how is it working with Kit?
“I really want to thank him for annoying me most of the time, joke!
"But really, it’s great to have him as my first on screen partner as he’s the more experienced actor between the two of us and he’s very supportive.
"Actually, I want to thank our whole team in New Zealand and everyone involved in the shoot. I feel so blessed to have worked with such incredible and talented people.
"Shooting a movie in a foreign land can get to be very exhausting, but I’m happy we were still able to have lots of fun!”
Supporting Maureen and Kit in the movie are former Bb. Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa, Kiwi actress Lana Garland and Audie Gemora as Maureen’s dad who follows her in New Zealand.
Watch out for special announcements from Maureen and Kit in their respective instagram accounts.
It’s their way of interacting with fans and also to give Early Bird promos and various giveaway prizes before the movie is premiered worldwide via Upstream.ph on September 3.
