Maja: The challenge of being ‘there’

MANILA, Philippines - Ten years in showbiz have put Maja Salvador in an enviable place, but all the more for her not to take things for granted.

“A lot has happened in 10 years, so many experiences and so many blessings. I’m thankful that I’m still here in the industry, I’m still being given teleseryes and movies, so yun dasal-dasal lang din ‘pag may chance,” the 24-year-old actress said.

She readily admitted though that with the steady stream of new stars, where she is right now is “difficult to maintain.”  

“That’s the hard part. Ang mahirap sa industry, mahirap i-maintain kung nasaan ka, kahit sobrang tagal mo na may mga bagong dating na mas sisikat pa sa’yo and kailangan mong pagtrabahoan yung trabahong binigay sayo.”

For her, fame is something beyond one’s control and that it has something to do with fate and timing. If you’re popular, you’re really popular, she said. If it doesn’t come, then maybe it’s best to wait — that is if you’re willing to. While waiting, she believes an actress must not be choosy and should accept projects that are challenging and not because of the billing. “Kahit hindi ka bida pero alam mong mag mamarka sa mga tao at alam mong maiiwan yun sa mga tao,” she said.

This is one of the lessons she learned in her decade-long stay so far in the industry. She likens her 10 years as baby steps and looking back, there are things that she did that she shouldn’t have done in the first place “pero kailangan mong panindigan.”

She explained, “For example, I’ve accepted a project that doesn’t fit me and which I couldn’t do right, but I just have to make the most out of it. Kailangan kong panindigan at kailangan kong gawin ng maigi at ayusin nalang rather than mapahiya ko yung sarili ko or mawala ang tiwala sa akin ng management or production. For me, if you fall, you just have to stand up and move on with your life and enjoy.”

Same thing with the intrigues on her personal life. She’s able to take on a more positive attitude towards them because of the awareness that her troubles are perhaps nothing compared to the experiences of others. “I think you just have to pray and to trust yourself. Sa lahat naman ng mangyayari, sarili at sarili mo lang din ang huling tutulong sayo at magpapasaya sayo.”

Apart from the cache of lessons, Maja also shared her proudest moments the past 10 years, mentioning Thelma, which was her first title role in a movie and her last teleserye Ina Kapatid Anak, which was the first series of hers that she felt was really embraced by the audience.

She added that Ina Kapatid Anak was also the first project wherein she could finally call herself an actress, despite winning a Gawad Urian Best Actress already for Thelma (2011).

“I really told myself, I am now ready to act because before that, I still had a lot of questions in my mind. I had no confidence. It’s not that I’ve become overconfident, but with (Ina Kapatid Anak), I now know that I’m ready.”

Asked what her next goal is, Maja said “to achieve my 20th year in the industry, then I hope to work with more veteran actors like Sharon Cuneta, Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, basta madami pa.”

“I also want to do a film that will be famous internationally. Like Thelma, nakilala naman at na-invite sa mga film festivals (abroad),” she added.

She also dreams of getting her first title role in a TV series.

Meantime, Maja’s next project is the movie Status: It’s Complicated under Regal Films with Paulo Avelino, Jake Cuenca, Solenn Heussaff and Eugene Domingo. Soon on ABS-CBN is her soap opera with Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales and new Kapamilya JC de Vera.

Maja also scored another endorsement deal with the tablet Coby Kyros, the affordable 9.7” Android-based device by the US manufacturer Coby USA.

During the recent launch, where this interview took place, she talked about the things she does with her tab like e-mail (usually for her scripts), Skype-ing with you-know-who, games to kill time during taping breaks, etc.

While she is abreast with the latest in gadgets, Maja said she has cut down on her online activities.

Confessing that she used to be a Twitter and Instagram addict, who would post at whim, Maja is now a “changed person” when it comes to social media usage. “I only share my best moments and special events kasi kung bawat galaw mo ipo-post mo baka mawalan sila ng excitement or interest. I also want people to miss me. I just want to find a balance in the things that I post.”

Even as celebrities already react to online bashing, she takes the “dedma” approach. “There will always be bashers and I don’t let their comments ruin my day.”

She also reins in her opinions because “all eyes are us being celebrities. It’s difficult to give an opinion because it becomes a big deal. But if you feel your post can be helpful then go for it, but if it’s nonsense, better to keep silent.”

Still, Maja was asked to weigh in on the viral video scandals starring celebrities, and what she could say is that celebs should take steps and extra caution to protect themselves, adding that nobody in their right mind would share things that would embarrass themselves in public.

“Para sa’kin kayo rin po mismo alam n’yo how to protect yourselves. Kung may gagawin kayong isang bagay, syempre mga private yan, pero may mga nangyayaring ganyan and may nawawalan ng ganyan. Nobody would want to share that, right? Siguro meron yung may mga nakakakuha nun parang kunwari nawala tapos may nakita sila tapos yun nga kinakalat.”

What she’s sad about is when these videos spread and lapped up by people.

“It’s sad because we all have mothers, sisters, female friends…I hope those who spread those videos will realize that they also have relatives or family members who are women. The most important (thing) is that they should know how to respect women.”