Maja said a big source of support was her boyfriend and Gift of Life co-star Gerald Anderson. “Nandiyan siya everyday. Nandiyan lang siya. Kahit may trabaho siya, hindi siya nakakalimot magparamdam. Nandiyan lang siya,” she shared during the Kapamilya Christmas Special Gift of Life presscon held last December 16 inside the ABS-CBN compound.
Although they are known to keep a low profile when it comes to their relationship, Maja said she does not regret agreeing to do the TV special. “Siyempre maganda yung kuwento at saka pasko naman. Kahit papaano siyempre mapapaisip ka rin ng, ‘Ano nga bang pakiramdam pag nakatrabaho ko siya?’ At least may bago akong nalaman sa kanya, kung paano siya magtrabaho as an actor. Kasi parang it’s time naman to share our love and happiness,” she said.
While taping for the show, Maja said she discovered new things about Gerald on the set. She clarified that working together on the show doesn’t automatically mean they will start doing more projects together in the future. “Na-discover ko sa kanya na sobrang parehas kami na iba din talaga yung passion sa trabaho namin at grabe din naman yung love niya sa trabaho niya. Kasi nakikita mo kung gaano niya pahalagahan talaga. Hindi naman kami love team so wala akong ini-expect na mga fan base. May mga fans na gusto rin naman na magsama din kami pero ito ginawa namin dahil sa love namin sa aming trabaho, sa aming mga bosses and it’s Christmas pero hindi kami gumawa nito para makabuo ng love team,” she explained.
During the presscon, Gerald was very vocal about his intention to end up with her. The talented actress said she is happy with where their relationship is headed. “Siyempre para sabihin niya yun parang nakakatuwa na hindi na ito yung basta puppy [love] lang, yung parang parehas kami na may goals sa buhay so parehas sana kami magtagal or sana hindi mag-give up sa bawat isa,” she said.
Maja admitted that their relationship is very mature. “Parang hindi namin pinapatapos yung araw na hindi namin tatapusin (on whatever may be troubling them). Kasi importante yun eh, yung maayos kaagad yung mga problema kasi importante sa relationship yung communication, yung pagkakaintindihan niyo. Kung dati akala mo puppy love lang, parang ngayon mas alam mo na yung meaning ng love. Alam mo na kung paano i-handle ang mga sitwasyon na darating,” she said.
As for their Christmas plans together, Maja said they don’t feel the need to announce it to the public because they celebrate love every day. “Ngayong Christmas secret muna pero for sure kahit naman hindi Christmas, every day naman special naman para sa amin every time we meet,” she said.
Watch Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador in the Kapamilya Christmas Special Gift of Life starting December 22, Monday, on ABS-CBN.