Maja Salvador has risen to the challenges of her TV and movie projects and has proven herself to be on a league of her own as a dramatic actress. And her hard work in her years in showbiz has finally paid off as she finally bagged the lead role in the afternoon drama series of ABS-CBN “Nagsimula Sa Puso.”

This is the TV remake of the Hilda Koronel ’90s movie of the same title which also starred Richard Gomez and the late Jay Ilagan. It was directed by Mel Chionglo.

“For me, this is my biggest break. This is my launching project. I’m saddened that ‘Ana Lisa’ didn’t pushed through but I realized maybe I wasn’t ready then yet. Nor was it the right time for me. With ‘Nagsimula Sa Puso,’ all I can say is ‘this is it,’” expressed Maja proudly.

Directed by Ruel Bayani and Malu Sevilla, “Nagsimula Sa Puso” has Maja being paired with awarded actors Jason Abalos and Coco Martin.

“I’m very fortunate to be working with Jason and Coco Martin who are very good actors. Working with good actors like them makes my job easier because they can guide you and elevate your acting. They also take good care of me,” remarked Maja.

The actress confided though that there’s still pressure on her part knowing that she is reprising a role by Hilda Koronel, one of Philippine Cinema’s respected and seasoned dramatic actresses.

“Ms. Hilda Koronel is a very talented actress and she was very good in the movie. So it scares me to even try to be at par with her acting skills. I’m just wishing and praying that when viewers watch me in ‘Nagsimula Sa Puso’ they’d like my acting. I hope they’d say that that young actress in Hilda’s role before is doing a good job,” Maja said.

Added pressure also come from knowing that she would be working with Jason, Coco and Nikki Gil among others. She is also very conscious about her portrayal but she is driven to present another level of her acting craft.

“I just know viewers will love this show as much as we have loved it,” she smiled.

Other than her dramatic prowess, Maja Salvador will showcase another side of her – her sensuality and sexiness in this afternoon drama series. When she was offered this series, her producers explained that they wanted to bring her out from her “sweet” image. They wanted to offer viewers and especially her fans a more mature Maja Salvador!

“I was all for it because I’m that kind of actress who also wants to offer something new. I said yes and when I read my script, I got more excited about it,” she exclaimed.

Thus the new Maja is going “sexy” in an afternoon drama!

In “Nagsimula Sa Puso,” her character will have love scenes with her leading men, Jason and Coco. According to her, she wasn’t that scared about her love scenes because she already knew she was in good hands with them.

“I’ve been friends with Jason for a long time because we’ve worked together already. In our love scene, he surprised me with something I never knew about him. But he was very professional. With Coco, he really took care of me in our scenes, he respected me and made me feel like a woman in our love scene,” said Maja.

As an actress, she is confident that she delivered well in her love scenes saying that she “felt” or was into those love scenes. Her rationale was to also make viewers feel what she was going through during those love scenes. She also agreed to do those love scenes because they were needed and she felt it would also be good for the series.

Is it possible then that something could develop from her love scenes with her leading men? “Who knows? The series is only beginning and I can’t say if that will happen or not,” she teased.

As to whether she’ll be doing more “sexy or mature roles” in the future, she answered, “It will depend on Star Magic.”

“Nagsimula Sa Puso” is slated for airing on the first week of October 2009.

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Celebrity moms do it the natural way

From the pigeonhole:

In this day and age when working mothers have become the norm, mothers have no choice but to find alternative ways to monitor and stay in close touch with their kids. Many busy moms have resorted to the usual practice of leaving a note on the dinner table or the ref to communicate with their equally busy kids. Then there are phone calls and text messages to closely supervise kids and keep in constant touch. While these modern means of communication are helpful, most mothers would attest that nothing can take the place of spending quality time with kids.

“Spending time with your kids despite your busy schedule is mothering the natural way,” explains celebrity mom Suzi Abrera who makes it a point to give ample attention to daughters Leona, 6; Jade, 5; and Nella, 4. For Suzi, bonding through play and other fun activities is perfect for little kids. “We enjoy simple games like piko and luksong-tinik or doing art stuff like drawing and coloring. Even with these simple activities, they appreciate that I’m there to share the fun with them.”

For TV personality Winnie Cordero, traveling to different places is her most treasured bonding activity with daughters Abby, 19, and Bettina, 9. She shares: “I make sure to set aside time so we can go to trips together. I take them to interesting places which I’ve already covered through my work. Through this, I’m able to get to know them better while enjoying activities we both love.”

Natural mothering for former supermodel-turned-entrepreneur Abbygale Arenas-de Leon comes in the form of enjoying her eight-year-old son Irijah’s favorite watersports activities together. “I spend my free time indulging on Ijah’s favorite hobbies like wakeboarding, parasailing and snorkeling. Doing these activities together shows him that I take interest in whatever things he likes.”

Obviously, these moms believe spending quality time with their children and doing activities they enjoy is the most natural way of mothering. And even when the common illness like colds or cough strike, these moms believe natural is the way to go.

These celebrity moms have learned that natural medicines offer similar benefits as chemical-based ones. An example of which is Lagundi, a common medicinal plant in the Philippines, which provides the same healing effects as over-the-counter cough medicines but proven much safer for kids.

And now these moms get the same natural cough-relieving effects in Ascof Lagundi by Pascual Laboratories. Made from 100% Lagundi leaves, Ascof Lagundi helps not only in effectively relieving cough, but also in treating acute bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. Ascof Lagundi Syrup also comes in kiddie flavors like ponkan, menthol and strawberry that children love. And as reported in clinical trials, Ascof Lagundi Syrup doesn’t pose side effects. It has also been made affordable for moms.

“We’re gearing towards natural remedies like Ascof. At the onset of cough, I make sure I give this to my kids to provide immediate relief,” shares Suzi.

Winnie, on the other hand, trusts Ascof Lagundi over synthetic medicines. “I have read some articles on the possible side effect of selected medicines and having known these, I’d rather not risk the health of my kids. That’s why I choose natural remedies like Ascof, which is safer for my kids.”

For Abbygale, going for natural-based medicines like Ascof Lagundi also ensures her that Ijah’s health is supported, given his penchant for watersports activities. “I know that being constantly on water can greatly impact Ijah’s health, so I make sure I have Ascof to prevent his cold or cough from getting worse,” says Abby.

For these celebrity moms, taking care of their kids the natural way ensures their children are truly loved, nurtured and cared for. And by going for natural medicines like Lagundi, they also show that when it comes to the health of their kids, natural is the only and best way to go.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Oct. 2 go to Atty. Del Tamano, Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s Rose Hilario-Libongco, California-based Terry Aldeguer, Chit Guerrerro, Carmen Ronda, Ma. Theresa “Maite” Defensor, Edgardo Cepe, New Jersey-based Graciebelle Banaria Espiritu, Emily Joy Legados, Almond N. Aguila, Zeny Yumul-Sato, California-based Anna Josefel “Jojo” B. Cadiente… Happy wedding anniversary to Vic and Arlene Foz.