Maricel: At peace with herself & the world

Maricel Soriano was not expecting an award when she graced the recently-concluded Film Academy of the Philippine Awards Night held at the CCP.

Maricel was having the time of her life with colleagues and friends, when her name was finally called in the Best Actress category for her magnificent performance in Viva Films’ Filipinas (which has already won for her the Best Actress plum in last December’s Metro Manila Film Festival).

She admits she was nervous on her way to the podium not having any idea what to say in her speech. "But I prayed and asked the Lord to guide me and the speech turned out okay. I thanked Him first of course, then the award giving body, my co-star, my producer and director. I also thanked my friends and supporters who loved me all these years. I’d like to believe that I was able to say everything I had to say that night. I was really happy," said the woman who knows her life is a shower of blessings from God.

Marya, lovely in her Inno Sotto baby pink terno, was escorted by eldest son Marron whose outfit was also by Inno. Marron’s two month-vacation from military school in California ends this month. He leaves again first week of August.

"I was in a table with Marron and my niece Meryll Soriano during the awards night. It felt good to be with my son. He enjoyed it. Tien had to stay home. He has classes early the next day and he couldn’t afford to stay up late. He has to be asleep by 8 p.m.," the doting mother says.

Maricel has practically won in every award-winning body in the country. Proof of it is her long line of trophies totalling 15 citations. "But I have not won in Urian, not once," she said with a smile adding, "it would be nice to look forward to that. Para makumpleto," she said.

That night, Maricel said several movie producers mentioned possible projects for her in their outfits. "Direk Maryo (delos Reyes) and the producer of Magnifico, Mrs. Violet Sevilla told me they are interested to do a movie with me. And Mother Lily too. She said we’ll be doing a movie soon. I just entrust everything up to Wyngard (Tracy, her manager). He knows what’s best for me in that aspect," she added.

Maricel is still awaiting Wyngard’s go signal on which movie project will be up for her next. Meantime, she just did advance tapings for Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis for ABS-CBN. "Mr. M (Johnny Manahan, the director) is leaving for a vacation and Buboy (Cesar Montano, her leading man) will be leaving for Bohol for a movie shoot.

"We taped around three to four advance episodes, which means I have more free time to be with the kids. I’m more hands on now, as in I get to inspect Tien’s assignments as much as I can. And I enjoy the time we have with Marron, before he leaves for abroad again. I really enjoy the opportunity to bond with them." Maricel said Marron is kind of possessive with her time. "He always texts me what time I’ll finish when I am in the studio taping. And he instructs me to go right home after the taping so we can watch out favorite programs. Parang boyfriend," she laughs.

Maricel is truly a picture of joy and contentment. And because we know that that peace comes from the Lord, we know, too that the reason for that is because Maricel has given back all the glory of her new life to God.