‘Life After You’ reminds Maricel Soriano of her late mother
MANILA, Philippines — Having worked in the industry for 55 years and starred in diverse genres and roles, Diamond Star Maricel Soriano still feels thrilled to be acting. She continues to love what she does, and there are still roles that she finds challenging and exciting.
As many know, Maricel’s passion for acting began when she was just a child. She made her film debut in the 1971 movie “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.” Since then, she has appeared in numerous films and television series, taking on a wide range of projects and earning numerous accolades for her exceptional acting.
“Everything I do is still a challenge because I have to work for it,” she told the reporters during the presscon for VIVA Films’ “Life After You.”
“It doesn’t mean that if the story is simple, parang wala lang. ‘Kaya niyo bang gawin yun?’ Parang gusto kong sabihin yun. Hindi, ah. Hindi mo kayang gawin yung ganun ka-simple… Yung parang normal na normal na timpla, normal lang, as in hindi ka umaarte. It’s actually more difficult.”
“Na-cha-challenge ako dahil hindi malakas ang mga pelikula, eh… Hindi rin tayo pwedeng magsalita na sa TV, ganun din,” she continued.
“Parang ang gulo gulo na di ba. (At the same time), I’m excited because I like what I’m doing. That’s why I’m always excited (going to the set). And excited ako sa chika, kung anong chika na lalabas sa set, like, ‘Huh talaga yun ang latest ngayon?’”
That same excitement carried over to filming “Life After You,” a family drama that marks her first collaboration with Bela Padilla.
Directed by Marla Ancheta, the film is now showing in cinemas. It explores themes of family, motherhood, friendship and forgiveness.
According to the media release, Maricel portrays Bella, a widow, mother and grandmother who will do everything she can to express the love she has for her granddaughter.
Meanwhile, Bela Padilla plays Joey, a loving and devoted sister and aunt who is forced to put her dreams on hold to take care of her niece.
The story revolves around their love for a young girl named Denise (Dani Zee), Joey’s niece and the daughter of her sister, Dianne (Ryza Cenon). Denise is also Bella’s granddaughter through her unico hijo, Carl (Marlo Mortel), who refuses to acknowledge Denise as his child.
Joey and Dianne hold a deep resentment toward Bella for failing to convince her son to accept Denise. But when an unexpected tragedy shakes their world, Bella and Joey are given a chance to get to know each other. Joey discovers that Bella quietly considers Denise as her granddaughter and wants to be part of Denise’s life and keeps this a secret from her son. Bella and Joey agree to share responsibility. Eventually, they become close. Until Carl finds out.
Joining Maricel and Bela in the film are Krissha Viaje, MJ Cayabyab, Andrea Babierra, Peach Caparas, Gardo Versoza and Rey PJ Abellana.
Maricel noted that doing this kind of family drama still feels different, despite having portrayed similar themes in her previous acting projects.
“Yes, kasi ‘pag… pangit ang opening ko kasi sasabihin ko sana, ‘Pag matanda ka na…’ That’s what I’m about to say,” she quipped. “I’ve done so many family dramas, but of course, yung atake dun sa bagong project, iba-iba naman. It’s a different twist, and I’m with a different set of actors. I don’t have a husband here in the film. And may pinapakita si direk na parang flashback, and nag-concentrate ako sa kanilang dalawa (Bela and direk).”
In reference to the film’s title, “Life After You,” Maricel was asked to name someone she had lost, whom she wished she could make up for, and how she has been living her life since that person’s passing.
“It’s my mom,” she replied. “My life after my mom, because she was my rock, nakikipaglaban talaga, nakikipag-bunuan ang kalooban ko because it was tough. Hindi mo naman pwedeng kalimutan, hindi mo na makakalimutan yun. You just have to get used to it siguro. May times na hindi ko matanggap hanggang ngayon.”
Maricel’s mother, Rosalinda Dador Martinez, passed away in 2009 at the age of 65. “It has been 17 years (since her passing). Sabi ko, sana gusto ko sana dito pa yung Mommy ko.”
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