How Maja Salvador stays positive amid intrigues

SHE’S happy that Gerald finds her special.

“So how was your Valentine date?” a show biz scribe asked Maja Salvador.

Craning her neck, the actress called for her handler behind a group of reporters crowded around her. “Ah, kasali ba ’yun dito (Can we discuss that here)?” Maja asked, feigning surprise as if hinting that the interview was supposed to be only about her contract signing as endorser of Tupperware Brands fragrances, and not about her relationship with rumored boyfriend Gerald Anderson.

But despite the occasional reminders to focus on the endorsement, the stream of questions were still about her love life and the intrigues hounding her these days.

Maja and “Ina, Kapatid, Anak” costar Kim Chiu had a much-publicized falling out earlier this year, when Kim found out that her close friend has been dating her ex-boyfriend Gerald.

“Intrigues are part of this business, and one should know how to handle them,” she said. “I’d rather stay quiet than talk and try to clear the issues. I know who I am. I just want peace.”

Maja pointed out that in the world of show biz, rumormongers will try to concoct incredible stories out of thin air. And there’s nothing anyone can do about it. “Sometimes people write about an issue as if they know the whole story. They’ll meddle and play with our lives because it’s their job,” she lamented.

Does she turn to Gerald for support amid all the controversies? “Just because I have a suitor doesn’t mean I have to solely rely on him. I also draw inspiration from my career, my fans and family.”

Leave family out

And when asked how she feels about Gerald declaring in a recent interview that she’s special to him, Maja could only muster, “I’m thankful.”

Despite everything, Maja chooses to appreciate all her blessings, and look at the brighter side. But still, bashers do get the better of her at times, especially when they cross the line and drag her family into the fray. “I do get negative comments whenever I post something on Instagram, but I welcome them because it’s their opinion,” she said.

But dealing with them every single day could be exasperating, Maja confessed. “I’m not a statue or made of stone. I get hurt, too. They’re too much to take at times.”

She pleaded: “I’m the celebrity here; the one working—please leave my family out. I want to protect them.”

So far, Maja has managed to keep her composure, not giving in to the bait and bile of her detractors. “I don’t want to waste my time replying to them. But I’m glad they’re wasting their time on me,” she said, laughing.

Time surely does fly and it’s quite surprising to know that the Kapamilya star is celebrating her 10th year in the biz this year. “We’re definitely planning something for the fans. I might do provincial tours and mall tours,” she related. “I also have two coming movies. I’m excited.”