MAJA SALVADOR says her fans and those of Maine Mendoza have long requested for their collaboration. It seemed impossible then as she’s with ABS-CBN and Maine is with GMA-7. But now, it’s coming true as they are both part of TV5-Cignal’s new talent search, “PoPinoy”.
“May awards night kasi na host ako tapos nandun si Maine at nagpapansin ako sa kanya,” says Maja at the show’s zoom presscon.
“Nakunan ang pictures namin nang magkasama at nang lumabas yun, marami nga ang nagsabi na sana, magkaroon ng show na nagkukulitan kami.
"Sabi ko, wait lang kayo. Nag-uumpisa pa lang kami. O ngayon, heto, nangyari na. Host siya, headhunter naman ako or judge/mentor sa ‘PoPinoy’.”
So how is it working with Maine and with Paolo Ballesteros who are both from the Kapuso network?
“It’s very refreshing na makasama sila, kasi pare-pareho kaming bagets in one show. First time na we’re working together dahil, dati, magkakaiba kami ng networks.
"We’re now excited to work together in this kind of show for TV5-Cignal kasi we aim to discover new talents na pasisikatin sa industry. I’m hoping makabuo kaming lahat ng magandang friendship while doing ‘PoPinoy’ together.”
How does it feel to be a headhunter who will act as both judge and mentor to the contestants?
“Masaya, kasi tutulong kaming tuklasin at hasain sila. Ako rin naman, based on my own experience, when I started, hindi ako magaling sumayaw, o kumanta. And now, I’m a singer na talaga. Nakita nyo naman sa performance ko kanina.”
She’s referring to the song and dance number she did at the start of the “PoPinoy” zoom presscon. So what qualities will she look for in their contestants in “PoPinoy”?
“Una, gusto kong makita yung puso nila habang nagpe-perform. Kasi, let’s face it, maraming magaling kumanta at sumayaw, pero hindi galing sa puso ang performance nila.
"So yun ang unang hahanapin ko, yung puso, yung passion nila to give their best in entertaining their audience. Ang hahanapin namin dito are two groups, one boy and one girl, so kailangan, marunong din silang makisama sa mga magiging kagrupo nila. Importante yun para mag-click ang isang boy band or girl group.”
Maja was asked about John Lloyd Cruz during the presscon but she begs off to answer, just saying: "Hindi po nag-audition si John Lloyd dito." Obviously, she feels the presscon is not the right venue to talk about John Lloyd who her Crown Artist Management agency is now handling.
So now, Maja is a bonafide Kapatid star since she has two regular shows on TV5/Cignal. Monday to Friday nights, she will be seen with Noel Comia Jr. in the heartwarming inspirational dramedy, “Nino Nina”, and on Sunday nights, she will be a headhunter/mentor in “PoPinoy”.
The show will officially start on June 13 but, on June 6, Saturday, there will be a primer to orient audiences about “PoPinoy”, hosted by Lourd de Veyra and titled “Idols of Pinoy Pop: Manila Sound to KPop”, 8 PM on TV5 and 9:30 PM on Colours. Don’t miss it!
