Maricel: I’m loving myself more now

BIRTHDAY girl Maricel Soriano blows out a single candle on her cake.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NICE PRINT PHOTOGRAPHY

Maricel Soriano and I once had a common denominator in William Martinez. At the height of their screen partnership in the 1980s, I was William’s “secret” girlfriend. So Maria and I were quite “uncomfy” around each other. But time has a way of making things right. She ended up being godmother to my dalaGAY, IC. We don’t see each other often, but every time I look back on my crazy teenage days, I find her there.

The Diamond Star turned a year fiercer on Feb. 25. Her birthday fete was held at  the Commissary in White Space. Spotted at the bash were Susan Roces, Vice Ganda, Pops Fernandez, Korina Sanchez, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Mother Lily  Monteverde, Roderick Paulate, Helen Gamboa, Lovi Poe, Billy Crawford and Eugene Domingo. There was a special AVP presentation by Nice Print Photography  of the birthday girl’s blossoming through the years.

As she starts a new year in her colorful life, Maria also embarks on an exciting phase in her career as a Kapuso. No matter what network she is in, or what direction she takes, the Diamond Star will always have the four Cs—charm, class, confidence  and chutzpah. There’s really something about Mary …

What made you decide to move to GMA 7?

Alam naman ng lahat kung ano ang nangyari sa akin at sa aking career last year ’diba? Buong buhay ko ibinigay ko sa trabaho ko. Mahal ko ang trabaho ko dahil ito lang ang alam kong gawin. I have been through so many ups and downs. It may sound like a cliché, but the truth is, I really prayed for God’s help at alam kong nakinig siya sa akin. Sinagot ni Papa God ang mga panalangin ko sa pamamagitan ng GMA 7, which offered me this upcoming soap to star in, at sino ba naman ako para tumanggi?

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Dapat, sa bawat araw I should always thank Papa God. Para sa akin ang bawat araw ay blessing; it gives all of us something to look forward to, ’di ba? Dapat bawat araw gawin nating oportunidad para maging masaya. Ngayon kasi, I value laughter and happiness. ’Yan ang pinagdarasal ko every day … the gift of laughter, because you’ll never know kung ’yun na ang huling pagtawa mo. I cherish every moment na tumatawa ako.

What did you give yourself for your birthday?

Nagdesisyon ako na dapat mas mamahalin ko na ang sarili ko.  Now I know better.

What advice about love have you given Marron and Tien?

Sinabi ko sa dalawa kong anak to treat women right … not left. Hahahaha! Dapat ’pag nakipag-relasyon sila, lagi nilang gagawin ’yung tama. Dapat mahalin at respetuhin nila kung sino mang makakasama nila sa buhay. At dapat magpakalalaki sila … kung talagang mahal nila ang isang babae, ipaglaban nila.

What dreams of yours have yet to be fulfilled?

’Yung makita ko ang dalawang anak ko na OK na sila, na kaya na nilang makatayo sa sarili nilang mga paa. I want to see them settled and happy.

How would you like to be remembered?
I celebrate important milestones with my fans. Recently, may mag-ina na nagkwento sa akin na hindi sila nagkakaintindihan dati. Naging daan daw ang isang pelikula ko para mag-bonding sila at unti-unti na silang naging OK. Na-realize ko na may mga tao pala na natutulungan ko through my movies, at ’di ko man lang namamalayan. Meron pala akong kapararakan. Meron pala akong nako-contribute. Sana maalala ako dahil sa mga pelikulang nagawa ko. Natutuwa nga ako at may mga remake ang mga pelikulang ginawa ko in the past, para at least ma-share sa bagong generation. Kaya rin sobra akong metikuloso sa mga pelikula o TV series na ginagawa ko—gusto ko, ’yung may saysay.

How’s your love life?

Next question, please. Hahaha!

For the environment

Calling young Cebuanas, 4 to 9 and 13 to 17 years of age, who would like to promote environmental awareness and inspire change, to audition for Little Miss Earth and Miss Teen Earth on March  8 and 9 in SM Consolacion Cebu.  For details, log on to www.missteenearth.ph. Grand pageant is on May 27 at Mall of Asia Arena. It will be aired on June 1 on GMA 7. Pretty babies, come together for Mother Earth!

Personal

PERSONAL:  Kudos to Ryan, Dustin and Patrick Chan of my  fave oasis in Tarsier Country, Bellevue  Resort  Bohol. The resort is one of the Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards’ Top 25 Hotels in the Philippines. After the super earthquake last year, their approval rate remains in high magnitude!