Maja Salvador goes full-on with comedy in TV5 sitcom ‘Oh My Korona’

CEBU, Philippines —  Maja Salvador has had her fair share of unforgettable dramatic roles – from Nicole in “Legal Wife”, Ivy Aguas in “Wildflower”, and Camila in “The Killer Bride”. Now, she tries out new territory as Lavinia in the new TV5 sitcom “Oh My Korona” which will premiere this Saturday, August 6. It will air every Saturday at 7:30 pm on TV5.

In “Oh My Korona”, Maja plays Lavinia aka Lablab, an out-of-work hotel manager who inherited a boarding house from her late beauty queen-actress mother and is now landlady to a group of showbiz wannabes.

Talent agency owner Louie (Joey Marquez) wants to make Lablab his prime talent as he manages the other tenants to achieve their own showbiz dreams. However, Lablab dislikes show business due to her issues with her parents. How will Louie convince Maja to join him in his quest to make her the superstar she is meant to be?

The sitcom is just first of the series of commitments of Maja for TV5 and Cignal Entertainment, as announced in her previous media conference last April. “Oh My Korona” is also the first line production venture of Crown Artist Management, Maja’s talent management company with her fiancé, Rambo Nuñez.

The transition from heavy drama to comedy has been challenging, albeit easy for Maja as she considers herself to be naturally funny. “Funny talaga ako sa totoong buhay, clown nila ako minsan,” Maja said during a virtual conference Wednesday after a media screening of the program’s pilot.

Pooh, who conceptualized the concept along with Rambo during a conversation at home, noted Maja’s natural comic flair, and her willingness to do whatever the director asks of her.

Maja further shared that working with veteran actor Joey Marquez helped her unleash her funny side on-cam. “Kay Tito Joey sobrang thankful kami, dahil bawat eksenang gagawin namin, may suggestion,” she said.

“Kami ng buong team ay thankful kay Tyong Joey for accepting the role. Napakalaking bagay na may isa kaming legend na kasama. Kapag sinabing sitcom, sino pa ‘di ba, syempre Joey Marquez,” added the 33-year-old actress.

“Tay Tyong Joey tawag ko diyan kasi ilang beses na din kaming nagkatrabaho and talagang nagpapakatatay sa set. Parang di niya din kayang makita yung anak niya na di ibigay yong best, so bawat eksena talaga binibigyan niya ako ng mga tip and sobrang laking bagay noon,” she added.

Maja is also grateful to work with RK Bagatsing again after their story arc in “Wildflower” gained numerous supporters. According to Maja, the undying support of fans for their previous roles Ivy Aguas and Mayor Arnaldo was why she chose RK to be her love interest in “Oh My Korona.”

“Noong naghahanap kami kung sino ang magiging partner ni Lablab, isang name ang naisip namin dahil sa dami ng nagmamahal sa amin ni RK. Doon sa ‘Wildflower’ kasi, hindi kami nag end up together, tapos masalimuot ang sakit ng mga nagawa naming eksena,” she said.

“Gift namin for all our supporters na until now, for how many years, ang tagal na ng ‘Wildflower’ but umaasa pa rin sila na one day magkatrabaho kami ni RK. ito na yun, pero mas light.”

What happens if you put together a motley gang of showbiz hopefuls who will do anything to make their own mark in tinseltown? You get a hilarious riot of colorful characters whose adventures and misadventures in show business will make you double up in laughter and keep you tuned in for more.

From Cignal Entertainment and Crown Artist Management, “Oh My Korona” takes on the lives of showbiz aspirants who live under one roof. It highlights some true showbiz experiences based on current news headlines, celebrity issues and scandals, and other viral topics. The show also gives valuable insights on the showbiz world to guide and inspire dreamers who are pursuing their own paths to stardom.

Directed by Ricky Victoria, “Oh My Korona” also stars Kakai Bautista as Marga, Pooh as Gerry, Thou Reyes as Kobe, Christine Samson as Layla, Jessie Salvador as CJ, Jai Agpangan as Betchay, Guel Espina as JM, and Queenay as Emy. - Syril Gemida, CNU Intern