Maja: Why Gerald is worth fighting for

Following Gerald Anderson’s admission, it’s now Maja Salvador’s turn to confirm that they are officially a couple. “He is worth fighting for,” declared Maja during her interview on The Buzz. She is happy and you could “smell” it a mile away.

I’m grateful to Maja for always trusting and sharing with us some of the most important milestones in her life. I still remember my interview with the 14-year-old Maja in her very first TV appearance on The Buzz 10 years ago. This opened doors of opportunities for Maja in showbiz. We also covered the first meeting of Maja and her late father, Ross Rival. 

And again in an exclusive interview, she broke her silence on her relationship with Gerald Anderson. How did Gerald tell her that he finally admitted their relationship in his Star Studio magazine interview? “He said, ‘Hope it's okay with you that I admitted it since I was asked about it.’ The way he said it in his interview with Star Studio Magazine, that's how he said it to me. Hinintay kong bawiin niya kasi akala ko nagjo-joke lang tapos hindi niya binabawi,” said Maja. 

Maja somehow realized how important she is to Gerald when he admitted the real score between them. She added, “He is a gentleman. He is kind. Aaminin ko, kinain ko iyong mga sinabi ko. Marami akong sinabing masasama sa kanya dati. I never thought he would become my friend and that I would fall in love with him pero iyong nakilala ko na iyong tao, iba. Hindi mo akalain na sa mga ganoong pag-uusap lang, saglit na pagsasama lang, pwede mo pala na mahalin ang taong iyon.”

I asked Maja what is the best thing about Gerald. “Parang lahat eh. I’m not saying this because I’m super in love with him. Kapag nakilala mo siya, kaya pala ang daming taong nagmamahal sa kanya at ang daming taong ayaw siyang mawala sa buhay nila,” she enthused.

Now that Maja’s romantic relationship with Gerald is out in the open, what’s the status of her relationship with erstwhile friend Kim Chiu? In one of my interviews with Kim, she emotionally admitted that “it’s easy to forgive but it’s hard to forget.” It must be hellish for Kim and Maja to be acting together on the teleserye Ina Kapatid Anak while they don’t talk to each other in real life. Maja said they have to be professional as actors. “You have to do your job and you have to do it well.” She cannot describe their relationship as civil because they are not yet on speaking terms. Maja hopes they can talk quietly about their issues one day.

Maja’s unwavering faith in God gives her the strength to move on with life. “I always pray for His guidance. For every step I take, I’m not yet sure if it’s right or wrong. Kahit para sa akin alam kong tama, sa iba hindi. Sana lagi Siyang nandyan, gawin akong matibay at hindi mag-give up sa lahat ng bagay. Sana lagi lang nandyan ang Diyos, hawak ang kamay ko at laging sasabihin na hindi Siya mawawala.”

Angel & Phil celebrate 1st anniv

The relationship of Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband keeps getting stronger. They will soon celebrate their first anniversary. The two are inseparable. While the actress is often seen cheering for the Azkals during its football matches, it is always Phil who cheers for Angel when it comes to her successful showbiz career. “Nanalo ka na nga ng award tapos binigyan ka pa ni God ng ganitong kagwapo, kabait na boyfriend. Happy, happy lang,” enthused Angel.

Phil recently surprised Angel when he got an autograph of Vin Diesel who visited the country for the premiere of his movie, Fast and Furious 6. According to reports, Phil patiently waited in line just to get the autograph of the famous Hollywood action star. 

“Bumili ako ng toy car para I can get it signed by Vin Diesel kasi fan si Angel. I went to get her a gift. Hindi niya alam na gusto ko gawin iyon. I wanted to do that. Surprise lang iyon. I waited. I was sweating my way through the line. I was asking everyone if I could get the autograph. I would do anything for Angel and I’m happy she liked it,” said Phil. 

Is it true that he already proposed to Angel? “No, not yet. I want to be with Angel but I haven’t proposed yet. But in the future, I plan to.” Phil has not yet given a ring to Angel. The Buzz asked if he plans to marry Angel this year. “I don’t know. She’s with ABS and she still has her career. And to support her there, I think this year is probably too soon. I don’t know when. I just want to be with her.”

Understanding Grief: The Healing Journey

The EPCALM (Erwin Piedad Cabanag) Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines, in cooperation with St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City and the Philippine Cancer Society, held a two-day Grief Management Conference titled Understanding Grief: The Healing Journey last May 10 to 11 at the Henry Sy, Sr. Auditorium. The conference sought to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to deal with the realities of grief, and care for the gravely ill with compassion, guided by Biblical principles.

Main resource person was Mary Ellen Erickson, co-founder and program director of the US-based GriefWorks, a bereavement resource for support and education. Other speakers included Rev. Isagani Deslate, senior Pastor of UCCP-Ellinwood Malate Church; and Dr. Lourdes Ladrido-Ignacio, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry of UP-Manila.

The conference tackled topics such as the Dynamics of Grief, Tools to Promote the Healing of Grief, Caregiver Grief:  An Occupational Hazard, Living with Life-Threatening Illness, Pastoral Care, and Ginhawa and Wellness.

“There’s no way out of grief except through it. We grieve many kinds of losses. Every change is a loss and every loss must be grieved,” Erickson said, adding that, “The best way you can do for a person who is grieving is to be a listening heart, a compassionate listener without trying to fix, without trying to problem-solve.”

“Just listen to the stories over and over again, as they need to be told and shared to dissipate the pain. I challenge you to do the work of grief, and to be a caring presence for a friend whose heart is broken,” Erickson said.

Martin Nievera, who lent his support to the project, entertained the audience with a variety of inspirational songs.  

I interviewed EPCALM founder and board chairman and SLMC-Global City Department of Medicine head Dr. Erlyn Cabanag-Demerre where I also shared my insights on grief and losing a loved one.