The controversies surrounding her have made Maricel Soriano elusive for quite some time. She’d suddenly disappear from showbiz events. She refused to entertain personal questions. Maricel is still mum about what happened to her personal life.
But things change – as if by magic – when she talks about her movie comeback. Maricel’s smile reaches her eyes. She laughs easily. She answers questions without batting an eyelash.
“Very excited ako. I’m making a movie after a long time(the last full-length role she had was in the 2011 Metro Filmfest drama “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, where she won Best Actress),” she gushes.
That movie -- Viva Entertainment’s “Oh My Mama!” -- is a far cry from the heart-wrenching Metro Manila Filmfest entry for which she went home with an acting trophy. Director Wenn Deramas’ latest film promises to make moviegoers leave the cinema laughing out loud. And Maricel says she’d rather see people laugh than cry during these tough times.
“Gusto ko masaya,” she explains at the story conference for the movie.
“Ang dami na nating pinagdadaaan. Gusto ko tumawa for a change.”
That’s what she misses most about being a movie actress – this power to make people laugh, to make them happy.
“Pagbalik mo, masaya,” Maricel explains.
The mother in her (she and Eugene Domingo play moms in the film directed by Wenn Deramas) taks over when Maricel talks about her co-stars. “Si Andi (Eigenmann), inaanak ko yan. Nanay niya ko.” Kid gloves Even Eugene – whose mother role puts her on the equal footing with Maricel – is treated with kid gloves. Eugene is “Junior” in Maricel’s eyes – a mini-Marya (the veteran actress’ nickname) who can match her, punchline for punchline. It was Eugene’s talent that drew Maricel to the project in the first place. ”Tinanggap ko ito dahil kay Junior,” admits Maricel, obviously a fan of the theater actress-turned-comedienne. It’s not the first time she and Eugene are working together. The first was six years ago in the comedy drama “Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po!”, where they played best friends. Eugene was then waiting in the wings, playing support to the Diamond Star. Now, she and Maricel are on equal footing, with the title revolving around them. Firsts But it’s the first time Maricel is working with Billy Crawford and Direk Wenn. “Sana, pagsigaw niya (direk Wenn) ng ‘Action,’ huwag ako matawa. Kasi pag-umpisa pa lang niya magsalita, natatawa na ako,” admits Maricel. Seriously though, she looks at her new project as the answer to her prayers. “Ipinagdasal ko `to,” she explains. Speaking of wishes, what does Maricel think of Vice Ganda’s dream to feel her palm land on his cheek in a fit of anger ( only on screen, of course)? “Magiging masaya ito,” replies Maricel. Vice need not wait so long. Direk Wenn says the two will start working together in June. The Diamond Star and the Unkabogable Star together – that would be another a first in the annals of Philippine comedy. As for Maricel and Eugene – this will be something else – a showdown between two ace comediennes who can match each other, wit for wit, punchline for punchline.
The mother in her (she and Eugene Domingo play moms in the film directed by Wenn Deramas) taks over when Maricel talks about her co-stars. “Si Andi (Eigenmann), inaanak ko yan. Nanay niya ko.” Kid gloves Even Eugene – whose mother role puts her on the equal footing with Maricel – is treated with kid gloves. Eugene is “Junior” in Maricel’s eyes – a mini-Marya (the veteran actress’ nickname) who can match her, punchline for punchline. It was Eugene’s talent that drew Maricel to the project in the first place. ”Tinanggap ko ito dahil kay Junior,” admits Maricel, obviously a fan of the theater actress-turned-comedienne. It’s not the first time she and Eugene are working together. The first was six years ago in the comedy drama “Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po!”, where they played best friends. Eugene was then waiting in the wings, playing support to the Diamond Star. Now, she and Maricel are on equal footing, with the title revolving around them. Firsts But it’s the first time Maricel is working with Billy Crawford and Direk Wenn. “Sana, pagsigaw niya (direk Wenn) ng ‘Action,’ huwag ako matawa. Kasi pag-umpisa pa lang niya magsalita, natatawa na ako,” admits Maricel. Seriously though, she looks at her new project as the answer to her prayers. “Ipinagdasal ko `to,” she explains. Speaking of wishes, what does Maricel think of Vice Ganda’s dream to feel her palm land on his cheek in a fit of anger ( only on screen, of course)? “Magiging masaya ito,” replies Maricel. Vice need not wait so long. Direk Wenn says the two will start working together in June. The Diamond Star and the Unkabogable Star together – that would be another a first in the annals of Philippine comedy. As for Maricel and Eugene – this will be something else – a showdown between two ace comediennes who can match each other, wit for wit, punchline for punchline.
