MANILA – Without confirming whether she and Gerald Anderson are already a couple, Maja Salvador on Monday said she is hoping the public would just let her be happy.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Salvador said: “Gusto ko pong sagutin [ang tanong kung kami na] pero sana po hayaan niyo na lang muna ako kung ano ang nakikita niyong ngiti sa akin ngayon.”
Despite this, Salvador admitted she is glad that Anderson considers her an inspiration.
“Nakakatuwa na may isang tao na nag-a-appreciate sa kung ano man 'yung meron kami. Isa siya sa mga taong nagiging masaya kapag kasama ako. So ang sarap lang na may mga tao kang napapasaya at isa siya doon,” she said.
Salvador has been the subject of online bashing even since she was rumored to be in a relationship with Anderson, the former boyfriend of her "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" co-star and best friend, Kim Chiu.
Salvador broke down in an interview aired on "Showbiz Inside Report" over the weekend.
But despite the hate messages, Salvador said she is choosing to remain strong for her loved ones.
“Kapag nagtrabaho ka sa show business, magiging matibay ka, magiging strong ang personality mo. Maliit lang ang mundo natin eh, pero sa dami ng nangyayari, mas magiging buo ka, magiging buo ang pagkatao mo. Kailangan mo maging strong para sa mga taong mahal mo eh. Kahit papaano marami nagba-bash sa iyo, maraming may ayaw sa iyo, siyempre hindi mo naman mapi-please lahat,” she said.
Salvador said she is using the hate messages as motivation to do better in her career.
“Sa akin po, ginagawa ko na lang ng maige ang trabaho ko at ipakita sa kanila na may mga problema mang dumadating sa akin ngayon, hindi naaapektuhan ang trabaho ko. Priority ko ang family ko at trabaho ko,” she said.
The actress also thanked her loyal fans who continue to support and defend her amid her problems.
“Happy ako, happy ako sa career ko, happy ako na ang daming taong nagmamahal sa akin at sumusuporta sa akin lalo na ang mga fans. Ngayon ko lang na-realize kung ganao sila kahandang ipagtanggol ako at kung gaano nila ako kamahal. Sobrang walang iwanan talaga,” she said.
Rumors linking Anderson and Salvador first surfaced last January but it was only recently that the two begin to slowly open up about their blossoming relationship.
