Maja Salvador on how she has lasted 17 years in show biz—and what would make her leave

Maja Salvador (Image: Instagram/@iammajasalvador)

After nearly two decades in show biz, Maja Salvador opened up about what has made her an in-demand talent and what keeps her grounded.

Salvador, 32, shared her experience of lasting 17 years in the business on Enchong Dee’s YouTube vlog posted on Sunday, Oct. 18. The two are longtime friends and were vacationing in Amanpulo for Salvador’s birthday during the candid Q&A.

The actress admitted that she learned the hard way when she was younger about what was stopping her from being successful.

“Hindi ko sineseryoso ‘yung work,” she said. “Parang maraming kumukuha sa akin. Bata pa lang ako, mga 16 or 17 years old. Pero doon ko na-realize na parang lagi na lang puro ‘ASAP.’ Wala akong serye. Kasi parang ang tingin nila, kino-quota ko lang, hindi ko ginagalingan ‘yung mga project na ginagawa ko.”

(I was not taking work seriously. But a lot were hiring me. I was young, about 16 or 17 years old. But I realized that I was always on “ASAP.” I had no TV show. Because they saw me as just making a quota, I was not working hard on my projects.)

“Hindi pala pera pera lang sa industry. Kailangan may passion ka rin sa ginagawa mo (I realized the industry is not just about money. You must have passion for what you do),” she said.

Dee said Salvador is among his “top 3 leading ladies” that he enjoys working with because of her “working attitude.”

Salvador, meanwhile, said he knew how to take care of his leading ladies and get along with them.

The “Killer Bride” star also shared advice from her mom, who has helped her in the industry.

“Laging habaan ang pasensya at laging matutong makisama (Be more patient and always learn how to get along with others),” she recalled.

When Dee asked how long she would stay in entertainment, she said, “Basta alam ko hindi ako mawawala sa industry (I just know I will not disappear from this industry).”

“Pero like kunyari pumasok na ako sa family life, siyempre may time na magfo-focus ka muna maging nanay ‘di ba? Pero hindi ibig sabihin na mawawala ka sa industry (But if for example I start with family life, of course there will be time that I will focus to be a mom right? But I will not leave the industry).”

Later on, Salvador said she would only turn away from show biz because of her family.

“Kung ire-request ‘yun ng magiging asawa ko or ng magiging anak ko, [I will do it]. Kasi time ang pinakamaibibigay mo sa kanila,” she said.

“Nauubos ng work natin ang oras… Kasi masyado tayong naka-focus sa work,” she said. “I will adjust. I will give it to them.”

(If whoever will be my husband or child will request it of me, I will do it. Because time is the most you can give them. Work consumes all our time… we are too focused on work. I will adjust. I will give it to them.)  /ra

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