A close family member of actress Maja Salvador recently succumbed to COVID-19.
Speaking at the Zoom press con on Wednesday for her primetime soap, TV5’s “Niña Niño,” Maja revealed that the past couple of days have not been easy because of the death of her aunt.
“Sa akin to be honest, ang hirap ng buong linggong ito para sa akin. Kasi ‘yung tita ko na for 20 years na inilaban nya, nagpa kidney transplant niya. She also had stage 4 cancer, nilaban niya ‘yun. Naoperahan siya nung December nilaban niya ‘yun,” she related. “And nahawahan siya ng COVID and she just died three days ago.
“It’s been a very difficult week for me. May plans man ako for Holy Week pero kinancel ko lahat kasi hindi talaga biro ang coronavirus. I think this Holy Week kung maari po sana just stay sa bahay bahay to help our frontliners din at syempre para ibigay kay Papa God yung linggong ‘yun, ‘yung Holy Week talaga. Magpasalamat, humingi ng proteksyon sa nangyayari sa buong mundo,” she continued.
The woman Maja refers to is a cousin of her mother. Maja said that that her mom not only sheltered them but was also influential in bringing her closer to the Lord.
“Siya po ang kumupkop sa amin ever since umuwi kami sa Manila. Sa bahay nya kami nakatira,” Maja said, “Kung bakit ganun din kalakas ang faith ko kay God, it’s because of her, dahil bata pa lang ako binibitbit niya ako lagi sa simbahan, ako ‘yung sinasama niya lagi nung bata pa ako.”
Maja said that TV5’s primetime soap, “Niña Niño” is especially relevant because of what’s happening amidst the pandemic. Each episode will provide lessons of hope and healing to viewers.
Among the values that “Niña Niño” hopes to impart are contentment and love for family.
Said Maja: “Mahirap man maging kuntento sa buhay, pero minsan kung ano nandyan, matuto tayong makuntento. Pag laging we want more or [we feel] kulang pa, na nakita ko si ganto may ganyan, kailangan mo alamin kung ano pinaka kailangan mo, gusto mo at dun ka mag focus…
“[Importante rin] ’yung oras para sa pamilya,” she continued, “Trabaho ka ng trabaho pero nung nagka pandemic, hindi ko rin ma enjoy lahat kasi ‘yung mommy ko nasa abroad, tapos nagkahiwalay rin kami ng kapatid. So nandito ‘yung dapat alam mo ibigay ang oras mo kapag kasama mo ang pamilya mo. I cherish mo ang moment. ‘Wag kayong matakot magsabihan ng ‘I love you’ o ‘importante ka.’ Hindi nakakahiya. Kaya mo ngang maglabas ng feelings sa crush mo, sa pamilya mo hindi. Ako, [dapat] pamilya unahin.”
In the dramedy, Maja plays Niña, the older sister of Noel Comia, Jr. In order to survive, the siblings scam their way to earn an extra buck. Also in the cast are comedian Empoy Marquez, and veteran actors Lilet Esteban and Ruby Ruiz whose role as the siblings’ grandmother holds an integral part of explaining the dynamics between the duo. Rounding up the cast are up-and-coming actors Ian Pangilinan, Sachzna, and Junyka Santarin, joined by Arron Villaflor, Moi Bien, and Dudz Teraña. At the helm of the series is award-winning director Thop Nazareno.
Produced by Cignal Entertainment and line-produced by CS Studios and Spring Films led by Erickson Raymundo, veteran director Joyce Bernal, and actor Piolo Pascual.
”Niña Niño” premieres on April 5, 7:15 p.m. and will air Monday to Friday, after “Sing Galing” and right before FPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano” on TV5.
