Maricel Soriano doesn’t hold back on acting tips – only if you ask

CEBU, Philippines —  If there’s one pre-pandemic norm that Maricel Soriano misses on the set of a soap opera, it’s the off-cam gossiping with her co-stars that usually commences when the director yells ‘Cut!’ Now, they just scatter to their own corners and leave no second to waste.

“Wala ng chika. Magri-reading, blocking, then take na kaagad,” the Diamond Star, who is celebrating her 49th year in the industry, shared during a video conference for “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin,” her upcoming drama series. “Siyempre nakaka-miss yung dati na may konting chika muna. Mas marami na kaming take ngayon kesa sa chika.”

After appearing in last year’s Angel Locsin-starrer “The General’s Daughter,” Maricel returns with another show playing the mother of Jodi Sta. Maria and nanny to Iza Calzado. Sam Milby will be caught in the middle of Jodi and Iza’s warring characters in this series that was supposed to air March before quarantine measures – and franchise issues in ABS-CBN’s case – upended network television calendars.

It is Maricel’s first project with the lead stars, and she said it was an answered prayer that all three are proving to be capable actors.

“Swerte naman talaga ako dahil napakabait ng mga batang ito at ibang klase sila sa kanilang propesyon. Napaka punctual, professional at gagaling. Doon ako bumilib talaga. Ang galing ng dalawang babae, at hindi nagpapatalo si Sam,” she said.

The love appears mutual, with Jodi and Iza recalling instances where they were left gaping in awe at their veteran cast mate’s performance.

“Meron siyang ginawa sa eksena na napanganga ako,” Jodi said. “Sabi ko, ‘Nay, paano mo ginawa yun? Turuan mo naman ako.’ So tinuro niya sa akin yung technique and style niya. May ibang sequences, ginawa ko and sobrang nag-work.”

Chiming in, Iza said she feels “blessed to be on the receiving end of such knowledge and wisdom.”

For Maricel, she considers it a compliment when younger actors seek her guidance. “Ang sarap kasi sa feeling kapag sinabi nila sa iyo, ‘Nay, papano ba yung ganito?’ Syempre natutuwa ako dahil meron akong natutulungang mga bata na alam ko malayo pa ang tatakbuhin ng karera. Kinikilig nga ako eh,” she said.

But she has since learned not to dish out unsolicited advice. “Natuto na ako eh. Kapag tinanong ako, sasagutin at tutulungan ko talaga. Pero kung hindi ako tinatanong, NR [no reaction] din ako. Kapag tinanong ako, ibibigay ko talaga ang sagot ng walang pagod kasi nagtatanong yung mga bata. Ang babait nung mga bata, ang gagaling, paano naman ako bilang nanay nila kung hindi ko sila tuturuan.”

Maricel, who normally leads a private life when not working on a show or film, said she is convinced to accept a role when it has relevance. With “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin,” its rich story, fast pace and grey characters were what made her say yes.

“Alam mo yung storyang pwede mong sabihing busog na busog? Ang daming nangyayari. Hindi mabagal, hindi naman slapstick na mabilis. Nandito yung mabait ka pero magbabago ka dahil may pinaglalaban ka. Hindi ka masama pero nagmukha kang masama, pero may rason,” she pointed out.

Responding to a question on how she assesses the current state of the Philippine showbiz industry, Maricel put it simply: life is but a mere cycle.

“Kapag nasa baba ka, there’s no way but up and vice versa. Paikot lang ito eh, parang gulong ng buhay,” she reminded. “Dapat lang yung pananampalataya natin, huwag tayong bibitaw kay God kasi Siya lang naman talaga nakakaalam kung anong bukas meron tayo. Malaki ang paniniwala ko na itong pintong isinara, magbibigay sa atin ng bagong liwanag. Hindi tayo magpapatalo.”

“Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin,” set to debut Aug.17 on the Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live, also stars Liza Lorena, Zaijian Jaranilla, Lito Pimentel, Alvin Anson, Nico Antonio, Jef Gaitan, Jimmy Marquez and Brenda Mage.