What more can Maja do?

MANILA, Philippines - As we age, there’s a longing for change. The same goes for Maja Salvador who, after the glaring acting spotlight caught her a decade ago, is now yearning to branch out and try something new so that her star continues to shine. 

 â€œI want to become a total performer, yung (who can) sing and dance on stage,” says Maja about adding a new facet to her career. “I’ve been in the industry for 10 years now, so I thought it’s not a bad idea to show something different this time.”

It was last year, Maja shares, when she started pondering on what more she can offer to the public. “I know that a lot of people have been looking for something new at gusto ko din maiba naman ang ipakita aside from acting and dancing.” Thus, a suggestion from her handler to attend voice lessons stirred her interest in singing. “Sabi nila, ‘May boses ka,’ and I’ve been told many times by my handler to attend voice lessons but since I have no time then due to acting projects, it is only now that I am able to focus on it.”

Nowadays, Maja never tires from exercising her vocal cords under coach Annie Quintos. And Maja didn’t disappoint when she rendered an impressive performance ala J.Lo on stage at the beginning of the presscon held recently to trumpet the series of mall tours, titled Maja Unveils @ 10, that kicked off last April at Glorietta in Makati. Among her close friends who regularly keep her company in the show are Cacai Bautista, Thou Reyes and Young JV.

“The show is my way of thanking everyone for supporting me. I want to give back all the blessings that I am receiving,” says Maja about mounting the show all over the country. Part of the show proceeds go to Ephesus, a homecare in Bulacan for battered and abandoned children.

Business events manager Jerry Telan reveals the show was supposed to happen only once “because originally Maja just wanted to stage a show as her way of thanking her supporters. But the response was overwhelming and we received a lot of requests to hold the same show in their place. So we decided to do a series of mall shows in celebration na din ng 10 years n’ya sa industriya.” So far, they have mounted 10 shows around the country. And if fate allows, Maja Unveils @ 10 might reach some places abroad.

Aside from the Manila leg, Maja and the rest of her group have already performed in malls and other venues in Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Batangas, Pangasinan, Cebu,  Lanao del Norte and Palawan, among other provinces. Next stop will be at NCCC Mall in Davao City coinciding with her 25th birthday celebration tomorrow, Oct. 5. Another show will be held on Nov. 9 at KCC Convention Center in GenSan.

It is also heartening to know that there are Kapamilya stars who take the time out from their busy schedule to join Maja in her tours. Among them are Rayver Cruz, Gerome Ponce and Enrique Gil.

Prior to the show, Maja had an “everything must go” sale of the outfits she wore as Margaux in the hit ABS-CBN soap Ina Kapatid Anak. “I thought my contravida character in the series was a drawback in my career but I was wrong because I found out that many are still there to support me. Kaya naisip ko din na gumawa ng show to thank them at eto nga naging maganda ang feedback kaya tuluy-tuloy na.”

She, too, is grateful that she is able to reach her 10th year in showbiz where the next big thing pops as fast as a blink of an eye. It was in 2003 when entertainment columnist Chit Ramos discovered and brought her to the Kapamilya network.

“It’s a wonderful experience. It amazes me no end thinking how God allowed this to happen to me. Dati kasi pangarap lang lahat pero ngayon  natutupad na lahat ng gusto ko,” says Maja who, in spite of the humps and bumps along the path to showbiz stardom, didn’t give up. She has learned to deal with issues hurled against her. 

Looking back, Maja has a lot to be thankful for, citing one by one the memorable moments in her career. Thelma, the indie film that won her Best Actress awards from Gawad Urian and Luna, no doubt, highlighted her career. Her antagonist role in Ina Kapatid Anak made her more confident as an actress.

“Also my dance performance in ASAP, dun talaga nahasa ang talent ko sa pag-sasayaw at nakilala ako bilang Dance Princess.”

Asked on other things she wants to achieve, Maja says she dreams of becoming a fine singer and “hopefully, I will be able to record an album soon.”

In the acting scene, Maja has just wrapped up a movie with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada titled Tatay while another movie project, Status: Complicated, under Regal Entertainment with Jake Cuenca and Paulo Avelino, is almost complete.

“I also have a new TV series (Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin) with Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales and JC de Vera.”