MANILA -- "Tama na muna ang drama!"
Maricel Soriano was quick to dismiss any talk of "drama" during a press conference held Friday for her upcoming comedy film, "Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy."
The 48-year-old showbiz veteran, who is staging a comeback with two film projects, was asked whether she still plans a return to television after her aborted part in an upcoming ABS-CBN drama series.
"Hindi ko alam eh. Baka hindi rin. Baka oo rin. Hindi natin masabi," she told ABS-CBN News.
In a setback to her anticipated showbiz return early this year, Soriano was involved in a reported on-set tension during the filming of the Kapamilya soap "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin" in January.
Then set to portray lead actor Gerald Anderson's mother -- which was billed as her comeback role on TV -- Soriano was eventually replaced by actress Dawn Zulueta, following a mutual agreement among the camps involved.
Soriano has since been announced to topbill two comedy films -- "Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy" and "Oh My Mamma Mia" -- both directed by Wenn V. Deramas ("Sisterakas," "Ang Tanging Ina").
During Friday's press conference, Soriano related that she had just wrapped up work on "Oh My Mamma Mia" when she started filming for "Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy."
Noting the apparent resumption of her heydays as a "comedienne," Soriano was later asked whether she is hoping to do a drama project next.
The actress quipped, "Huwag na muna!"
"Masyado nang naging madrama kaya nung pumutok 'diba parang Chinese New Year ang dating! Naguluhan ako no'n eh, kaya tama na muna. Magpatawa na muna tayo ngayon. Kasi nakakagulat, 'diba? Nagulat din ako eh. Tama na," she said, before ending the interview.
Comedian Vice Ganda, who co-stars with Soriano in "Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy," is only happy the veteran actress is returning to the big screen after a year-long hiatus, saying the Filipino audience "deserves" to see her again.
Asked for his statement about his "idol" bouncing back from the recent controversy, Vice Ganda said, "Well-deserved naman ni Ms. Maricel Soriano na makita ulit ng maraming tao."
"Sobrang deserve din naman ng tao na makapanood ng mga proyekto na nandodoon si Maricel Soriano dahil isa siya sa pinakamahuhusay na artista sa Pilipinas.
"'Yung mga ganyang talent, simula't sapul, noon hanggang ngayon, hindi kumukupas kaya deserve natin na mapanood siya at deserve niyang makapagpakita pa sa atin," he said.
A co-production of Star Cinema and Viva Films, "Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy" is an entry to this year's Metro Manila Film Festival.
