Matteo & Maja deeply in love

MANILA, Philippines - Matteo Guidicelli has been always vocal about his feelings towards Maja Salvador who, he says, is his crush even before he joined showbiz.

“I’m the more vocal one; Maja keeps a lot to herself. She doesn’t say much but she does (express her love),” says Matteo.

But during a recent presscon for their first team-up movie, Star Cinema’s My Cactus Heart, Maja finally opened up her heart by telling everyone that their relationship has been going strong despite rumors and controversies that circulated in showbiz news last year. They are going steady for almost a year now.  

Maja brushes off reports that she and Matteo have broken up for two weeks because Matteo’s family, specifically his mom, is against their relationship. Maja says his family is very supportive.

 Matteo, in turn, elaborates, “Hindi naman po. Like all mothers, my mom is defensive even before with my exes. But after a while, I told my mom to get to know the real Maja. I told my mom, ‘Mag-harap kayo, mag-usap kayo.’ Then, it happened when Maja had dinner with my family in Cebu. My mom appreciated how Maja is — a very loving person.”

Of course, Matteo adds, there’s no such thing as perfect even in love, yet he values the things they both learn from their “misunderstandings.” He also reveals that he is the first to give up every time there’s tampuhan between them.

“Si Maja kasi nag-shu-shutdown s’ya. She wouldn’t talk. Me, I can’t do that. I can’t stand not talking to her for one or two days, kailangan after only a few hours mag-uusap na kami.   

With Star Cinema’s My Cactus Heart director Enrico Santos (second from right) and co-stars (from left) Bea Saw, Lemuel Pelayo and Bettina Carlos — Photos by Allan F. Sancon

“At the start, we really need to adjust but as days have passed, we get to understand each other better,” shares Maja, revealing that it took long before she finally reciprocated Matteo’s love.

“Parang pinagtatagpo talaga kaming dalawa kasi in three years, we saw each other around six times in a restaurant until we were paired in (Wansapanataym) Inday sa Balitaw, at napaisip pa ako kung s’ya ba yung nakikita ko at tama s’ya nga.”

If fate allows, Maja, without a second thought, says, “Gusto ko sana si Matteo na.”

Asked to describe the real Maja, Matteo answers, “She’s a loving person. She’s misunderstood sometimes because she loves everybody else around her more than herself. I tell her to slow down, relax and love herself more.”

Can he say that Maja will be the last woman he will ever love?

“Yes. I’m very lucky to have her in my life. We’ve gone through a lot together. I know we will still go through a lot, but I’ll accept everything for a challenge. I know God really has a purpose for us and He will lead us along the way.”

While they openly express their love for each other, Maja and Matteo admit they had a hard time hiding their true feelings during a shoot for My Cactus Heart. Matteo felt awkward doing the kissing scene.

“I was too shy because there were many people around. I can’t act right but after a while, with direk’s (Enrico Santos) help, it turned out fine,” quips Matteo.

Maja, on the other hand, finds her character Sandy challenging.

“Sandy is not in love with Karlo (Matteo) kaya ang hirap ipakita na di ko s’ya love.”

My Cactus Heart opens Jan. 25 in theaters nationwide.