Gerald Anderson on marrying Maja Salvador: ‘I’m just making that my number one goal’

In their first onscreen project together as a couple in the second episode of the Kapamilya Christmas Special episode Gift of Life, Gerald Anderson said it was an enjoyable experience to finally get to work with his real-life girlfriend Maja Salvador. “Kahit medyo mahirap yung role at yung kuwento, it was easy for me dahil sa kanya. So sa simula pa lang naramdaman ko na yung pagiging kumportable. Ang weird nga eh, parang sobrang natural lang. Yung character ko medyo mahirap gawin pero hindi sa pagyayabang but it was really easy for me to do dahil sa kanya. Dahil comfort zone namin yung pagiging comfortable, ngayon ko lang naramdaman yun ulit for the longest time. My work was easy dahil sa kanya. Mas nakakapag-bonding kami siyempre dahil magkasama kami lagi off-camera and this is the first time na nagsama in front of the camera so marami akong bagong natutunan at nakita,” he shared during the Gift of Life presscon held last December 16 inside ABS-CBN.

During the event, the Fil-Am actor revealed his long-term goal for Maja. “I’m just making that my number one goal in life na to have a very long relationship, to stay with the feelings that you have for one person sa simula pa lang. And that’s very hard. Alam naman nating lahat na napakahirap nun. Kaya yan yung goal ko. I just pray to God na sana it works out. Dahil lahat ng relationships ko naging high-profile, isa na sa natutunan ko dun, I’ve turned my promises into goals na lang. I’m not going to make promises anymore lalo na sa harap ng camera kasi natuto ako. Does it make me less of a man na hindi ko na kayang mag-promise? Of course not. My goal is to have the longest relationship, sana hanggang marriage, hanggang sa mamatay. And I promise that I’ll do my best. That’s my number one goal,” he explained.

Although he had been vocal in the past about not doing any projects together with her in the past, Gerald said their reasons are very understandable. “Of course siyempre lalo na sa simula kasi yung pinagdaanan namin, yung mga challenges, tapos tatanungin kami kung magsasama kami in front of the camera? Siyempre sasabihin namin na hindi ‘di ba?” he said. The 25-year-old actor, who admitted he wants to settle down by the age of 32, also shared what he thinks is the secret to their solid relationship. “Siguro dahil lagi kaming positive. We stay happy. Mas mahalaga sa akin yung taking care of her as the person she is, more than my girlfriend, kasi wala akong masyadong barkada na babae, I’ve never had a friend na girl na sobrang close. Lahat ng qualities niya pasok dun na sobrang cool.”

When asked if he thinks Maja is “The One” for him, Gerald chose a more diplomatic answer. “It’s impossible to answer that, lalo na sa edad namin, ang dami naming sariling goals na gusto din namin matupad,” he admitted. The Gift of Life actor said being in a mature and giving relationship is better than any gift he can ever receive. “More than gifts at yung mga material na bagay, I think yung presence niya, magkasama kami. Hindi natin makakalimutan na may pamilya din ako and I also have my own goals na gusto ko matupad and I think isa yan sa mga dapat niyo gawin in a relationship, na you have to understand each other and support each other. So isa sa mga bucket list, more than the boyfriend girlfriend relationship is the tanggapin mo siya, yung pagkatao niya, yung personality niya,” he added.

Gerald also shared that his girlfriend has many surprising qualities people don’t know about. “Hindi ko kayang tapatan yung pagiging makulit niya, grabe (laughs). Kahit madaling araw grabe. Pero kumbaga nakakatuwa tingnan kasi para siyang energizer bunny na parang may battery na hindi nauubos. Or parang uminom ng energy drink. It’s an advantage para sa akin kasi everyday of our lives is like Christmas. I’m just really happy na napaka-positive outlook niya sa buhay. I’m really blessed,” he admitted.

More than material wealth, Gerald said he is so thankful for everything in his life right now. “I asked myself bakit kahit may pinagdadaanan sobrang blessed pa rin ako? Minsan kinakausap ko si God and sabi niya it’s because I’m a blessing to other people so yun na lang iniisip ko. The more blessings I receive, the more I want to be a blessing to other people. Thankful ako sa binigay sa akin ni papa God na wisdom kasi may mga ibang tao na pag may pinagdadaanan sa buhay or may mahirap na sitwasyon, tumatakas sa inom or nalululong sa droga. Life is a rollercoaster, maraming ups and downs. Pag nasa baba ka, iniisip mo how will you get back up. Pero ako sobrang blessed ako na parang nag rehab ko kumbaga is yung mga charity ko,” he said.

Although he had another good year in showbiz, the Gift of Life actor is already looking forward to the year ahead. “I think I’ve had better years but I still feel very blessed. Andito pa rin ako. Ang daming blessings. I have a lot of things to be thankful for, I’m healthy, I’m young, I’m strong, I have a healthy family. I get to spend Christmas with someone special. Marami pa ring blessings so I’m just thankful. Sino ba naman ako para maging selfish at magreklamo kay God? It was a good 2014 but a better 2015,” he said.

Watch Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador in the Kapamilya Christmas Special Gift of Life starting December 22, Monday, on ABS-CBN.