'Nagsimula sa Puso' airs on Oct. 12

Author: Angela Casauay
Column: Manila, Entertainment

Jason Abalos, Maja Salvador, and Nikki Gil of "Nagsimula sa Puso." (Sunnex/Angela Casauay)

THE much awaited break of young star Maja Salvador is finally happening as she is officially introduced as the lead star of ABS-CBN's newest Hapontastic offering "Nagsimula sa Puso."

From playing support roles in primetime TV show "May Bukas Pa," being part of the ensemble cast of previous horror show Spirits, and playing the third wheel in the movie of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, Maja is now set to shine full blast.

Maja plays a young and married school teacher who falls in love with her student in "Nagsimula sa Puso," which is a remake of the film starring Hilda Koronel, Jay Ilagan, and Richard Gomez.

Jason Abalos will be reprising Jay Ilagan's character while Coco Martin will Richard Gomez's role.

When Maja learned about the people who starred in the original film, she felt the jitters.

"During the first or second day, I was really nervous. I wasn't alert, as if it was my first time. All I think of was 'I hope the management likes it. I hope Miss Hilda likes it.' I hope it all also comes from the heart. I hope when Miss Hilda watches it, she can say that 'these kids are good.' I hope she will be happy that we did a remake of her movie," Maja said in the grand press conference for their teleserye held in 9501 Restaurant in ELJ Builing.

Previous TV projects such as Moonriver and Annaliza, either of which would have been Maja's launching teleserye, were shelved.

Biboy Arboleda could not give an answer on an "official level" on why those shows were not shown because the two projects were made under a different unit in the same network. "For me, off hand, let's let it go. Maja is now geared to get on with life."

He also said that even if Maja hoped that the projects would be aired, she accepts it might not have been her time yet.

On the other hand, Maja still thanks her mother network for not taking her for granted.

"When we were taping, I felt tension again because it might not push through again. But I prayed, 'Bro, I hope this is it.' I said I'll do everything. When Tito Deo (Endrinal) and Mother Biboy (Arboleda) talked to me, that 'Maj, this is pushing through' I really felt so much happiness," she shared.

Possessing the right attitude, the looks, and the talent, her veteran co-stars believe that she deserves to have a soap of her own.

Jaclyn Jose said she has seen Maja's acting in MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) even before they worked together.

Gloria Diaz, on the other hand, said that Maja may not be "a drop dead beauty but she grows on you."

"And she has a beautiful smile. And I've seen her do some acting and I think one day she'll be really good, almost as good as me," Gloria Diaz said with a smile.

Even if their show is a remake, Ronnie Lazaro does not want to compare Maja to any other actresses. "She's original on her own," he said.

Ronnie added that they are happy to be part of the success of the young artists today.

"This soap is really for these young actors. I am happy to be a part and to play a big support to the success of this soap. Because this is a new generation. They will replace us. Life is like that," he said.

The cast of Nagsimula sa Puso also includes, Niña Jose, Joseph Bitangcol, Nikki Gil, and Irma Adlawan with the special participation of Laurice Guillen.

Source: Sunstar Daily