CEBU, Philippines - For young actress Maja Salvador, 2009 was a great year because blessings incessantly poured in for her. She received lots of projects both on television and in the movies.
She was made part of the Ultimate Dance Four of the Sunday variety show ASAP together with Rayver Cruz, Shaina Magdayao and John Prats. Obviously, dancing really is her passion, yet we’re now seeing Maja making the steady crossover to pure acting.
Undoubtedly, she has proven in 2009 that acting genes really run through her veins. Being a Salvador, she’s equally capable of working it out as an actress just like many of her family members, especially her uncle, the multi-awarded action star Phillip Salvador. Her biggest acting break in 2009 was when she became the lead star of the ongoing afternoon series “Nagsimula sa Puso” with Jason Abalos and the 2009 best performing actor in television, Coco Martin, as her leading men.
“I’m thankful that ABS-CBN has trusted me with this project [‘Nagsimula sa Puso’]. I never expected [it] would happen. Year 2009 was really great for me,” Maja enthused to The Freeman in an exclusive interview during a recent Cebu visit.
To recall, her acting skills first got highlighted when she was nominated as one of the best new female actresses for her performance in the box-office hit, “Sukob.” Since then, she has building up a resume of solid movie credits.
In this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, she also became part of Regal Films’ “Shake, Rattle, and Roll 11” in its episode “Diablo.”
Another unforgettable experience that the 21-year- old actress had in 2009 was being chosen as the Pop Cola endorser and getting paired with Korean heartthrob Kim Bum of “Boys Over Flowers” fame in one of the product’s commercials.
The endorsement and the pairing stirred so much excitement among Filipino fans, after Kim Bum heaped praises on Maja for her work ethic and fresh beauty.
Maja, however, was quick to dismiss any talk of romance that supposedly developed on the set.
“Trabaho lang talaga ‘yon. Wala na kaming communication ngayon. I was just so lucky kasi sa lahat ng mga artista na gustong makatrabaho siya (Kim Bum), ako po ‘yong nabigyan ng ganung opportunity,” Maja said.
Maja was very grateful for all the blessings that she received in year 2009 and she’s hoping she could replicate if not transcend what she did in the year that was this 2010.
“Sobrang blessed po ako this year kasi hindi po ako pinabayaan ng ABS-CBN mapa-TV man o movie. I’m hoping for more projects this year sana,” Maja said.
Everybody has a New Year’s resolution and Maja is no exception. Maja hopes that she could go to mass every Sunday.
“Gusto ko pong makapagsimba every Sunday kasi this is our way of giving back to God for all the blessings that He gave to us and I’m hoping po na matutupad ko po to this year.”
Meanwhile, Maja also revealed that being a celebrity is really enjoyable. But if it has its perks, it also has its downsides. She said she doesn’t have privacy anymore. She also has to contend with the pressure of looking good and presentable each time she steps out in public.
“Sobrang laki ng pagbabagong nangyari sa buhay ko when I became a celebrity. I need to be presentable always kasi baka kung ano sasabihin nila sa akin. Wala na rin pong privacy but natural lang po yon kung nasa ganitong industriya.
Yet, they’re nothing compared to the good things she’s been getting out of her showbiz career. “It’s okay for me as long as I can fulfill my dreams,” Maja concluded.