By: Rachelle Siazon
Maja Salvador has no hard feelings about not being able to take home the Best Actress trophy at the first Asian Academy Creative Awards (AAA), held at the Capitol Theater in Singapore, on Friday night, December 12.
Speaking to Filipino entertainment reporters, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Maja said:
“Alam mo yung parang beauty pageant na nire-represent mo yung Pilipinas sa ibang bansa.
“Para ma-nominate, para maka-attend sa ganitong awards night, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. I am super grateful and deeply honored to be here.”
Before the announcement, it was mentioned that the jury had the toughest time choosing the winner for the best actress category because all five nominees were considered “heavyweights,” and their scores differed by “barely a point.”
In the jury’s scoring, three contenders—the actresses from Taiwan, Japan, and Indonesia—were in a three-way tie.
It was Adinia Wirasti of Indonesia who eventually won the best actress award.
Just the same, Maja was proud of being considered the Best Actress country winner for her performance in ABS-CBN’s hit afternoon series Wildflower.
“Maniwala ka sa hindi, nandito kami to have fun.
“Sa dami ng teleserye, artista, directors sa Pilipinas, kami yung napili.
“Yun pa lang, ninamnam na namin yung moment. Bonus pag nanalo, kasi nanalo naman na tayo sa Pilipinas.
“So, pang-Miss Universe, nire-represent natin ang Pilipinas dito sa Asian Academy Creative Awards.”
Aside from competing against other Asian countries for an acting award, Maja was also asked to be a co-presenter with Kapuso actor Miguel Tanfelix for the Best Theme Song category, which was won by Malaysia’s “Symphony of Love” by Astro.
Maja Salvador and Miguel Tan Felix are co-presenters for Best Theme Song won by Malaysia at the Asian Academy Creative Awards. pic.twitter.com/G94PcslWoZ
— Official PEP.ph (@PEPalerts) December 7, 2018
Miguel was the Best Actor country winner for GMA’s hit prime-time series Kambal, Karibal.
Smiling, Maja went on to share her thoughts about gracing the stage as a co-presenter, “Iba yung feeling. Iba pag nandun ka sa territory mo, iba kapag nandun ka sa Pilipinas.
“Iba pag magiging presenter ka sa isang international awards, ‘tapos i-English pa. Hello, di naman yun ang language ko talaga, but naitawid ko po.”
With or without an award, Maja maintained that she’ll be going back to work in the Philippines just as determined to improve her craft in her next acting projects.
“Kahit wala ito, sobrang passionate ako sa lahat ng ginagawa ko. Hindi ako tumitigil matuto.
“Kasi kailangan lagi kang may natutunanang bago. Huwag ka makampante.
“Kasi once na makampante ka sa kung anong ginagawa mo, minsan dun nawawala yung spark sa kung anumang dapat maibigay sa iyo.”
The Asian Academy Creative Awards or AAA, along with the Asian Television Forum and Market, the 29th Singapore International Film Festival, and the SMF Ignite, are the main events of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF).
