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From complex love stories to revenge dramas: Maja Salvador’s finest portrayals

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Rianna Mae Santiago

<p>Whether she’s consistently delivering high-quality performances in TV dramas, solidifying her versatility in the film industry, or taking over the vibrant dance floor, Kapamilya actress Maja Salvador is never afraid to let her multitalented reputation speak for itself.  </p><p>Following her unforgettable roles in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/theironheart/articles-news/maja-salvador-on-remarkable-iron-heart-stint-sobrang-nakakatuwa-18705" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>The Iron Heart</u></strong></a>,” “<strong>The Killer Bride</strong>,” and most especially “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/4/throwback-photos-of-maja-salvador-as-lily-cruz-and-ivy-aguas-in-wildflower-2017-0023" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Wildflower</u></strong></a>,” the Her Majasty is surely coming back to the primetime spotlight this July with “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/someone-someday" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Someone, Someday</em></u></strong></a><strong><u><em></em><em></em></u></strong>.” She’ll take on the intriguing character of Abi Mercado, an obsessive fan turned into a mysterious antagonist rivaling Kathryn Bernardo as Billy.  </p><p>Before everything else, let’s rewind to Maja’s impressive career trajectory, creating an even greater sense of anticipation for her next magnetizing act in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/someone-someday" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Someone, Someday</em></u></strong></a>.” </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lbwPT5WmvfA" title="Maja Salvador | Kapamilya Spotlight" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Romance was one of the genres that the actress quickly mastered, particularly when she made her debut in the 2003 series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-it-might-be-you-2003-1149" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>It Might Be You.</u></strong></a>” On top of portraying the supporting character of Cara, she was actually paired with her first-ever love team partner, John Prats.  </p><p>Several years later, Maja began to explore deeper and more complicated love stories, such as “Nagsimula sa Puso” in 2009 with Coco Martin, whom she reunited with during “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/9/14/throwback-coco-martin-as-alexander-and-javier-in-minsan-lang-kita-iibigin-2011-0137" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin</u></strong></a>” in 2011, and “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/9/10/snaps-of-coco-martin-and-maja-salvador-from-fpj-s-ang-probinsyano-photoshoot-10-years-ago-1013" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</u></strong></a>” in 2015. </p><p>In “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/7/26/throwback-maja-salvador-and-melai-cantiveros-in-phr-presents-impostor-2010-0855" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Precious Hearts Romances Presents Impostor</u></strong></a><strong><u><em></em></u></strong>,” the closely linked lives of Maja and Melai Cantiveros’ distinct characters, Mariz and Devin, were dramatically changed through plastic surgery, which altered their connection with Anthony (Sam Milby).  </p><p>Moreover, she perfectly embodied the long-lost daughter identity of Janine in “Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin,” with Patrick Garcia and Jason Abalos completing the show’s love triangle. Yet another comparable love conflict transpired in “Bridges of Love,” with Maja playing Mia, the love interest of both Gael (Jericho Rosales) and Carlos (Paulo Avelino).  </p><p>Maja’s emerging versatility eventually led her to the world of horror, notably through her very first leading role in the 2004 supernatural mystery “Spirits.” After performing as an academic overachiever in “Spirits,” she then fulfilled a far more mature character in the 2019 revenge-themed series “The Killer Bride,” playing the long-lost mother of Janella Salvador, her real-life niece.  </p><p>“<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Maalaala Mo Kaya</em></u></strong></a>” proved to be an essential undertaking for the majority of Kapamilya artists establishing themselves in the field of entertainment. Maja did not fail to impress when it came to this project, as she began with the 2005 episode titled “Diary,” followed by the 2006 episode “Regalo,” the 2008 episode “Board Game,” and finally the 2010 episode “Dancing Shoes.”  </p><p>Beyond these, the actress continued her flourishing acting career in several fantasy-focused and romance-based anthology series, most especially “Love Spell Presents: Shoes Ko Po, Shoes Ko ‘Day” with John Prats, “Komiks Presents: Kapitan Boom” with Jay-R Siaboc, “Komiks Presents: Nasaan Ka Maruja?” with Coco Martin, “Wansapanataym Presents: Inday sa Balitaw” with Matteo Guidicelli, and lastly “Give Love on Christmas Presents: The Gift of Life” with Gerald Anderson.  </p><p>Family drama is another genre where Maja delivers precise and passionate performances, fully immersing the audience in her characters’ deep experiences. For instance, in “Sa Piling Mo,” she represented Marisa, a provincial girl yearning to have a better future. Additionally, pursuing dreams together with love was one of the themes prevalent in her portrayals in “Pangarap sa Bituin” and “Kapag Ako ay Nagmahal.”  </p><p>Prior to experimenting with her playful side and humorous personality throughout the comedy shows “Toda Max” and “Home Sweetie Home,” Maja also participated in the iconic run of “May Bukas Pa,” where she was the kind-hearted Stella Rodrigo. </p><p>The next concept deals with “rivalry,” something that Maja is well acquainted with given her intense fictional confrontations with Kim Chiu in “My Binondo Girl” as well as in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-ina-kapatid-anak-2012-14552" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Ina, Kapatid, Anak.</u></strong></a>” Another feud formed in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/thelegalwife/articles-photos/throwback-11-iconic-lines-of-monica-and-nicole-in-the-legal-wife-14401" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>The Legal Wife</u></strong></a>,” as Maja’s character Nicole became the mistress of Adrian (Jericho Rosales), eventually provoking the resentment of his wife Monica (Angel Locsin). </p><p>Ultimately, Maja secured her most iconic acting feat through the revenge-driven “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/4/throwback-photos-of-maja-salvador-as-lily-cruz-and-ivy-aguas-in-wildflower-2017-0023" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Wildflower</u></strong></a>” as Lily Cruz/Ivy Aguas, an orphaned heiress seeking justice for her parents who were assassinated by the ruthless Ardiente family.  </p><p>Maja’s last teleserye preceding “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/someone-someday" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Someone, Someday</em></u></strong></a>” was known as “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/theironheart/articles-videos/15-scenes-of-maja-salvadors-sincere-brilliant-portrayal-18549" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>The Iron Heart</u></strong></a>,” which was introduced in 2022. At the time, she appeared as the first love interest of the protagonist, Apollo Adelantar (Richard Gutierrez). </p><p>Be sure to catch the thrilling introduction of Maja Salvador’s intriguing character in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/someone-someday" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Someone, Someday</em></u></strong></a>,” kicking off on July 27 at 8:45 PM on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL). It will also be available on TFC, <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a> on July 25, and Netflix starting on July 24. </p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>More on this story: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/19/abs-cbn-teases-first-look-scenes-of-maja-s-primetime-comeback-in-someone-someday-0105" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>ABS-CBN teases first-look scenes of Maja’s primetime comeback in &#x27;Someone, Someday&#x27;</u></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/4/throwback-how-maja-salvador-s-competitive-spirit-stole-the-show-on-minute-to-win-it-0007" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Throwback: How Maja Salvador&#x27;s competitive spirit stole the show on “Minute to Win It”</u></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/3/11/mash-is-back-maja-salvador-and-shaina-magdayao-relive-their-glorious-asap-dance-era-1003" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>MaSh is back! Maja Salvador and Shaina Magdayao relive their glorious “ASAP” dance era</u></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/theironheart/articles-news/maja-salvador-on-remarkable-iron-heart-stint-sobrang-nakakatuwa-18705" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Maja Salvador on remarkable The Iron Heart stint: “Sobrang nakakatuwa”</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/thelegalwife/articles-photos/throwback-11-iconic-lines-of-monica-and-nicole-in-the-legal-wife-14401" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>THROWBACK: 11 iconic lines of Monica and Nicole in “The Legal Wife” (2014)</u></strong></a></div>

<p>Look back on Kapamilya actress Maja Salvador’s fascinating career trajectory in these memorable ABS-CBN teleseryes from 2003 to 2022.</p>

Look back on Kapamilya actress Maja Salvador’s fascinating career trajectory in these memorable ABS-CBN teleseryes from 2003 to 2022.

From complex love stories to revenge dramas: Maja Salvador’s finest portrayals

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From complex love stories to revenge dramas: Maja Salvador’s finest portrayals

Rianna Santiago

Published July 24, 2026 12:50 AM PHT

Read More:

Someone Someday

Maja Salvador

Maja Salvador Teleseryes

It Might Be You

Spirits

Maalaala Mo Kaya

Sa Piling Mo

Love Spell

Pangarap na Bituin

Kapag Ako ay Nagmahal

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