The applause seems to be never-ending for the esteemed Kapamilya actress Maja Salvador, more so since she is currently starring as the mysterious Abi Mercado in the ABS-CBN primetime television series “Someone, Someday.” During the high-energy August 8 episode of “Are You G?” with MJ Felipe, Maja’s playful side sparkled as she was immersed in creating a blend of fragrances and talked honestly about her showbiz journey.
Straight after assigning scents to the iconic characters she brilliantly portrayed throughout the years, which range from the aromatic note for Nicole in “The Legal Wife,” the floral one for Mia in “Bridges of Love,” the leather-like for Glen in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” the woody scent for Camila in “The Killer Bride,” and finally the spicy fragrance for Ivy in “Wildflower,” Maja then spoke with greater depth about how she cultivated versatility as she was reinventing herself into these characters.
“Hindi ko rin alam [about my versatility], nagugulat din ako actually… Masuwerte ako na nasa dugo ko ang pagiging Salvador… Ang bilis kong nakapasok sa industriya pero ang pressure naman [ay] iba,” Maja explained.
Although Maja came from a family of actors, particularly with the late Ross Rival as her father and Phillip Salvador as her uncle, her path to stardom wasn’t a straightforward one. When the actress first started acting, it seemed like she was just having fun, but as she took on more roles that actively tested her abilities, she eventually came to love the process.
“Trineat ko siya [in a way na] every project is my last project, para talagang ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko,” Maja stated.
With 22 years of experience working as an entertainment journalist paralleling Maja’s 23 years in the acting industry, MJ surely witnessed Maja’s career-defining projects. For instance, the 2011 sports-oriented drama film “Thelma,” where Maja earned the prestigious Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress. Another would be the acclaimed Mother’s Day special episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” titled “Regalo,” in which she acted alongside Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos.
Both of these projects also serve as the ones that Maja will be sharing with the next generations of her family. “Kapag mahuhusay ‘yung mga katrabaho mo, wala kang choice kung hindi galingan mo, kasi nakakahiya… At hindi lahat may opportunity na makatrabaho sila,” she added.
The tenacious Maja has never been shy about stretching her range as an actress, and being a mother certainly contributed to her artistic growth. Despite the challenges of juggling work and family life, Maja firmly believed that every bit of tiredness melts away every time she sees her daughter, Maria. “Parang feeling ko sa trabaho ko ngayon, mas may hugot ako,” Maja said, addressing the way motherhood redefined herself.
To become Abi Mercado in “Someone, Someday,” Maja sometimes envisions this character as her child, especially when trying to comprehend the decisions that Abi makes. Along with that, the show actually arrived at the perfect time for Maja. “Kailangan one year old [na] si Maria bago ako magtrabaho nang sunud-sunod. One and a half na siya noon… Na-excite na ‘yung utak ko kung paano i-embrace ‘yung character ko na si Abi,” Maja elaborated.
Speaking about her “Someone, Someday” co-star Kathryn Bernardo, Maja sweetly commented on the fact that Kathryn’s dedication has reached a new peak at the moment. “Magkaibigan talaga kami on and offscreen pero first time kong makatrabaho siya… Sobrang iba ‘yung passion niya sa craft niya,” Maja shared.
Knowing that the two actresses have been close friends, it was surprising to discover that they each have separate tents on the set. Maja clarified that the goal is for them to reduce their time chatting and concentrate on internalizing their characters. “Bungisngis kaming dalawa, hindi nauubusan ng kuwento,” Maja quipped.
Regarding James Reid, who embodies Jordan Valentin, the best friend of Kathryn’s character named Billy Cariño, Maja praised his true passion for music as well as acting.
After experiencing the highs and lows in the world of entertainment, Maja hoped that the younger generations of celebrities would also choose their peace of mind. “Noong time na ‘yun mas pinili ko ang peace of mind. Magaling ka o hindi ka magaling na artista, pero ‘yung attitude mo ‘yung pinaka-importante at ‘yun ang magpapatagal sayo sa industriya,” Maja remarked.
With all of her accomplishments and answered prayers, Maja desires nothing else but to keep herself humble. “[Siguro to remind me na] kahit saan ako dalhin alam kong lumingon pa rin, alam kong magpasalamat lagi… Maging mabuti akong ina, asawa, at tao,” she said.
Be sure to witness Maja’s convincing portrayal of Abi Mercado in “Someone, Someday,” streaming on iWant and airing weeknights at 8:45 pm on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).
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Throwback: Photos of Maja Salvador as Lily Cruz and Ivy Aguas in “Wildflower” (2017)