Actress Meryll Soriano opened up about one of the most difficult periods of her life, recalling how her past drug use reached a point where it began affecting something she deeply valued—her work as an actress.
Soriano spoke candidly about her history of substance use during the latest episode of broadcast journalist Karen Davila’s vlog, released Thursday, August 27.
Their conversation touched on Soriano’s experience with bipolar disorder, her past drug use, and the journey that has now kept her sober for nearly two decades.
According to Soriano, she was 25 years old and about to become a mother to her son Eli when she began her sobriety journey.
“So, 19 years sober na ako,” she revealed.
Soriano clarified that alcohol was not the substance she struggled with. Instead, she said she had used chemical drugs, which she believes aggravated her condition.
“Kasi siyempre, mayro’n na nga akong chemical imbalance, lalo ko pang pinalala because of that,” she explained.
Davila then asked the actress about the lowest point of that period in her life.
“What was the lowest point of your drug use?” the journalist asked.
Soriano said she realized how serious the situation had become when her substance use started interfering with her professional responsibilities.
“I think no’ng naapektuhan na ’yong trabaho ko. E, mataas ang respeto ko sa work ko,” she recalled.
For Soriano, seeing her career affected was particularly significant because of the discipline toward acting that had been instilled in her from a young age.
She cited her aunt, Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, as one of the people who showed her the importance of respecting the profession.
“Lumaki ako na nakita ko ang tita ko [Maricel Soriano] na mataas ang respeto sa work,” she said.
Soriano also recalled learning from veteran performers during her early years in show business.
“Na-train ako ng mga veteran actors on set like Charito Solis. Lumaki ako in very disciplined era in acting,” she added.
Growing up around seasoned actors helped shape Soriano’s own attitude toward her craft, making the realization that her drug use was already affecting her work particularly difficult.
Despite being the niece of one of Philippine cinema’s most celebrated actresses, Soriano said she did not feel pressured by Maricel’s stature in the entertainment industry.
Soriano is the daughter of television host Willie Revillame and Maria Victoria Soriano, Maricel’s sister.
Meryll and Maricel also appeared together in several films during the latter part of the 1990s, including ‘Kahit Minsan Lang’ and ‘Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin.’
Years removed from the difficult period she described, Soriano now counts 19 years of sobriety—a milestone that marks a significant chapter in her personal journey.
