Jason happy to be just friends with Maja

Author: ABS-CBNNews.com
Column: Entertainment

MANILA - Award-winning young actor Jason Abalos said he feels blessed and lucky to have good projects in his mother network ABS-CBN.

In an interview, Abalos said that he still can't believe that he will be given a chance to prove his talent through different shows.

"Sa dami ng artista ngayon na lumalabas, parang kokonti lang ang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na kagaya ng ganito. So, thankful [ako] sa lahat naman ng proyekto, 'yon ang nararamdaman namin," he said.

The actor belied speculations that he is one of the favorite stars of the network, which is why he always gets projects.

"Kung siguro malakas ako, swerte ako, kung malakas ako sa kanila? Ayaw kong tignan ng ganoon. Siguro, naniniwala kasi ako sa swerte din at hardwork. Marami akong napagdaanan, at may mga taon na wala din akong trabaho talaga, so huwag ng bigyan ng malisya. Siguro, swerte lang," Abalos said.

Abalos said that, like many professional artists, he always takes his job seriously and loves all of his shows.

"Lahat naman ng proyekto kailangan mong tignan ng ganoon (ng patas). Lahat yan, kahit malaki o maliit ay malaki yan para sa akin," he said.

Abalos said that in "Nagsimula sa Puso," a television remake of Hilda Coronel, Richard Gomez and Jay Ilagan's 1990s film with the same title, is a new challenge for him.

He said he never got the chance to see the original movie nor had the chance to see even one of the films of the late actor Ilagan, which makes it a more formidable endeavor for him.

"Hindi ko alam kung paano. Siguro yong mga ginagawa ko dito ay based lang sa experience ko at saka sa mga nakikita ko. Kung hindi ko alam ay nagtatanong ako siguro. Ang hirap kasing i-compare kasi sila ang original, kami parang nagsisimula pa lang para sabihin na ganoon," he said.

'Closer to Maja'

Abalos, who has been working with Maja Salvador in several projects, admitted he is getting closer to the actress, but only as a friend.
He said he's very happy to be part of "Nagsimula sa Puso," Salvador's first lead role project.

Abalos also downplayed speculations that he will again pursue the actress. Previous reports have said that Abalos wooed Salvador.

"Mahirap sabihin, kasi sa ngayon, sobrang ganda ng pagsasama namin tapos bilang ililiko sa ganoon, eh ang pangit. Wala akong balak (manligaw) kasi masaya kami na magkaibigan. Siguro, kung dati naging close kami na niligawan ko siya, siguro [hindi yon] tamang oras. Siguro, sinasabi ng (tadhana) na ito ang sa inyo," Abalos said.

Abalos said that she likes Salvador because of her good qualities.

"Si Maja kasi, galing din ng probinsiya ng Aparri [Cagayan], ako Nueva Ecija. So, may mga katangian ang Ilocano na parehas. Yong katangian ng nanay ko ay nakikita ko sa kanya, madami. Kaya in-love ako kay Maja dati dahil nakita ko ang nanay ko sa kanya," Abalos explained.

Abalos said he is happy that he and Salvador are just friends.

Source: ABS-CBN News