Maja Salvador still couldn't believe that after two failed teleseryes, the TV adaptation of the film Nagsimula sa Puso (1990) will finally launch her as a lead actress.

It can be recalled that Maja was supposed to be launched as a lead actress in the remake of Anna Lisa, which starred the late Julie Vega. Then there were also reports that she would have her first lead role in television via Moon River. But both projects were shelved. 

That did not stop Maja from achieving her dream. Instead, she waited patiently for the right time.

Now that it's here she was still in shock when she faced the media last night at the grand press conference of Nagsimula sa Puso at 9501 restaurant of ABS-CBN.

"Grabe po talaga ang nararamdaman ko ngayon!" she exclaimed. "Hanggang ngayon, kinakabahan pa rin po ako kasi feeling ko, hindi pa rin totoo. Parang kahit nandito na po, heto na pala. Kahit nandito na po ako sa harapan ninyo, heto na ipapalabas na ang Nagsimula sa Puso. Thank you po kasi tinupad n'yo talaga ang mga pangarap ko. Salamat po talaga."

She said that she had the same feeling during the first taping day of Nagsimula sa Puso. She explained, "Kinakabahan po ako kasi sabi ko, 'Naku, baka mamaya hindi na naman matuloy.' So, talagang tumodo pray po ako na sana, sabi ko, 'Bro [a named used to address God in the TV series May Bukas Pa], sana ito na talaga. Sana ito na talagang Nagsimula sa Puso.' Sabi ko, 'Gagawin ko talaga lahat, ibibgay ko na talaga lahat dito. Sana talaga matuloy na.'

For Maja, who celebrated her 21^st birthday last September 5, it was the best gift she received from ABS-CBN.

The young actress said, "Ito na nga po, noong kinausap na ako nina Sir Deo [Endrinal, ABS-CBN Business Unit Head], Sir Biboy [Arboleda, ABS-CBN AdProm Head], 'O, Maja, ito na, tuloy na tayo.' Grabe po 'yong saya na naramdaman ko. Parang sa haba po ng hinintay ko, sa mga pinagdaanan ko po, ito, binigyan na po ako ng project at tuloy na tuloy na talaga. Kaya sobrang laki ng pasasalamat ko sa ABS-CBN, kasi talagang hindi po ako pinapabayaan."

She added, "Ako, masasabi ko po na noong mga panahon ng Anna Lisa at Moon River na hindi natuloy, tinanggap ko na malungkot. Pero kailangan kong tanggapin na hindi ko pa talaga oras, hindi ko pa talaga panahon. Ngayon po, parang sinasabi sa akin ni Bro na, 'Anak, ito na, ito na 'yong regalo ko sa 'yo.' Ito ang napakagandang regalo na iniregalo sa akin ni Bro, nila Sir Deo, ng ABS-CBN."

GOODBYE "PA-TWEETUMS" ROLES. On the teaser of Nagsimula Sa Puso, people will notice a different Maja, who used to play innocent girls. Here, she is seen having love scenes with her leading men, Coco Martin and Jason Abalos.

The 21-year-old actress said that with this project, she realized that maybe she should come out of the box and try other roles that would improve her skill as an actress. 

"Noong ibinigay po sa akin ang project na 'to, sabi ko, siguro tapos na nga po ako sa mga pa-tweetums. Ito naman po, siguro kailangan ko nang ihanda ang sarili ko para tumanggap naman po ng mga mature roles. Ito po, noong ibinigay po sa akin ang Nagsimula Sa Puso, talagang kung ano po ang kaya kong gawin, kaya kong ibigay, ibibigay ko po," she said.

To prove that she's ready to do such scenes, Maja said, "Wala hong daya dito. Lahat ng ginagawa namin, nagsisimula talaga sa aming puso. May mga eksena lang talaga, kapag kailangan ng mag-asawa. Kapag may asawa kayo, paano maglambingan ang mag-asawa, ang mag-boyfriend."

Although Maja mustered enough courage to do her role in Nagsimula sa Puso, she clarified that there will still be a limitation on the roles she will be portraying. She said she's not yet ready for a very daring role.

"Kailangan po munang pag-usapan ng matindi, kailangan ng mahabang pag-uusap," Maja said.