MANILA - "I'm now a woman."

So said actress-dancer Maja Salvador when many queried about her new sexy image during the press conference for her first biggest television series, "Nagsimula Sa Puso."

Salvador, who is known for her teenybopper roles and sweet image, surprised entertainment reporters when she showed up wearing a skin-tight red minidress.

"Kasi po magtwo-21 na ako. Gusto ko pong ipakita sa mga tao na woman na si Maja. Ready na pong harapin kung anuman ang ibigay na project at role na ibigay ng ABS-CBN," Salvador said.

The young star admitted that she shed her old image for the sake of her upcoming television series. Salvador said it was not hard for her to embrace her new daring look.

She added that viewers will see a different Salvador in “Nagsimula sa Puso.”

"Kung dati si Maja po ay pa-tweetums, ngayon eto na. Since binigyan ako ng ABS-CBN ng big break, bakit ko naman titipirin ang kaya kong ibigay? So, itotodo ko na po," she said.

"Hindi lang po kissing scene, hindi lang sexy scene. So, abangan niyo po. Ibang Maja po [ang makikita niyo] dito," the actress added.

The actress also said that fortunately she is paired with Jason Abalos and Coco Martin, who she described as very professional and gentlemen in the set.

"Inalalayan nila ako at tinulungan nila ako kung paano namin gagawin ang eksena. In fairness sa dalawang leading man ko, inalalayan nila ako at hindi po ako nabastos," she said.

Meantime, she quickly shot down speculation that she went under the knife just to achieve her sexy body.

“All natural po…. Wala pong salamat, dok,” she said.

Salvador, a member of dance group "Ultimate Dance" with Rayver Cruz, Shaina Magdayao and John Prats, is currently part of ABS-CBN's hit television series "May Bukas Pa." –Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnNEWS.com