In spite of her falling-out with Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador still treasures their friendship.
The young actress, in a recent interview with “Cinemanews,” believes that Kim is fully aware that she was – and still is – a true friend to her.
“Naghihintay lang ako ... kasi kailan lang naman ako tumigil mag-effort. Kahit na anong mangyari, kaibigan pa rin niya ako. Ang pagkakaibigan, nagkakaintindihan. Pero nandito lang kami sa lugar ngayon, sa sitwasyon ngayon, kung saan kailangan namin pagdaanan.
“Hindi ko man maibalik ‘yung friendship na kung anuman ‘yung meron kami, (pero) sana in time ma-realize niya – ng lahat – na nandito ako bilang totoong kaibigan,” she said.
Kim has been vocal about her dismay over what she deemed as wasted friendship with Maja following the latter’s blooming closeness with the former’s ex boyfriend, Gerald Anderson. This development generated criticisms on the three especially online.
Yet Maja doesn’t see the need to defend herself.
“Mas pinipili ko ‘yung peace… Kaysa ‘yung magsalita ako at… sabihin ‘yung side ko, ‘yung mga totoong bagay na dapat malaman ng mga tao. Pero hindi na rin kasi hahaba, lalong gugulo, iingay…baka mas lalong gumrabe ‘yung mga issues, kasi… ang daming may alam nung storya. May version ko, may version niya, version niyo (media), version ng ibang tao. Kung dadagdag pa ‘yung version ko, maguguluhan kayong lahat,” she said.
Consistent to this stance, Maja opted to not comment on speculations that their onscreen squabble as sisters on the drama series “Ina, Kapatid, Anak” reflects their real-life spat, as well as on reports that Kim walked out of the set after shooting an intense confrontation scene with her. Kim had earlier refuted the “walk out” issue, saying she wouldn’t leave their taping unless she’s accomplished all her sequences.
“Ayoko na lang palakihin…hangga’t maaari ayoko…hindi siya karapat-dapat siraan dahil kaibigan ko siya,” said Maja.
She also gives importance to professionalism. In a recent interview with Bulletin Entertainment and some members of the media, Maja shared, “Ganun naman talaga dapat eh. Hindi naapektuhan dapat ‘yung trabaho namin. Kasi siyempre ‘pag sa trabaho, kung ano ‘yung hingin nung direktor, nung script, ibibigay ko. ‘Yun ‘yon. Pero ngayon naman ‘yung mga audience, minsan talaga madadala sila sa mga eksena pero hindi naman siguro nila iisipin na ganun din ‘yung ugali ko sa totoong buhay.”
Notwithstanding the intrigues and criticisms that beset her of late, Maja would rather count her blessings than her woes.
“Ang daming mga taong nagmamahal at sumusuporta talaga sa’kin, kaya hindi ko nararamdaman ‘yung kahit na anong intriga ang ibato nila sa’kin kasi kilala ko ‘yung sarili ko and ayoko kasing magsalita para maging tama. Mas pinipili ko nalang ‘yung tahimik,” she pointed out.
Defending Gerald
Meanwhile, it was Maja’s turn to publicly express her support for Gerald who’s criticized as a “playboy” and “heartbreaker” after being linked to several women.
In the same “Cinemanews” interview, the 24-year-old award-winning Kapamilya star admitted that she used to think of him that way – “Nung mga panahon na hindi ko pa siya kilala.”
“Pero siguro once talaga na makilala mo… Kasi tayo naman, ‘di natin maiiwasan na makapagsalita ka o kaya makapag-isip ka nang hindi maganda sa isang tao, lalo na kapag may mga nagsasabi sa’yo.
“Kung sa akin kasi manggagaling na ipagtanggol ko siya, sasabihin na, ‘Siyempre, nililigawan ka niyan kaya pinagtatanggol mo.’ Sa nakikita ko, si Ge napaka-gentleman na tao… Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Kaya maraming nagagalit sa’yo eh. Napakabait mo.’ Sobrang gentleman,” she said.
Gerald, in previous interviews, has declared his support for Maja amid the entire ruckus, and even went as far as admitting that she’s special to him. Nevertheless, the two clarified that they are not yet officially an item.
In related matters, following their reported grand helicopter-Tagaytay Valentine date, Maja and Gerald were spotted together anew on a beach in La Union, where he celebrated his 24th birthday. They were with some other friends such as Rayver Cruz, Jason Abalos, and Fred Payawan.
Photos of this escapade were posted on Rayver’s Instagram account, as well as on the accounts of some Star Magic handlers. In some of the shots, Maja and Gerald can be seen posing beside each other.
The theme of the celebration was “Olympics,” which constituted games and other activities such as surfing.
