Diamond Star Maricel Soriano believes that ABS-CBN will still dominate despite the challenges that the network is facing.
At the virtual media conference of her new show Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, she mentioned that even if their show would only be aired online through the Kapamilya Online Live, many people would still watch and support it.
“Naniniwala ako na itong bubuksan nating bagong pintuan, ito ‘yung magbibigay sa atin ng bagong liwanag. Hindi tayo magpapatalo,” she said.
She believes that even if some doors closed for ABS-CBN, the media giant will still not be defeated as there will always be other doors that will open up for the network.
Maricel said that the struggles of ABS-CBN will soon pass as she believes that when one is suffering and is down with life, the only way to go is up. Nothing stays the same forever because life is a continuous cycle that will bring you not only good moments but also bad ones. People just need to keep their faith in God strong.
When she was asked about her opinion on the condition of the industry amid the pandemic, she said that “Kapag nasa baba ka, there’s no way but to go up. At kapag nasa taas ka, there’s no way but to go down. Paikot lang to ang buhay eh. Parang gulong ng buhay.”
“Dapat lang yung pananampalataya natin, yung faith natin, huwag tayong bibitaw kay God kase siya lang naman talaga ang nakakaalam, kung anong bukas ang meron tayo,” she added.
Maricel said that she was scared with the new normal despite the set for her new show being locked in. She said that there will always be risks of acquiring the virus but, thinking about her colleagues and their happiness on set eases her mind.
“Konting takot. Syempre kase ayaw mong magkaroon ng ganong virus diba. Kaya lang, iniisip ko yung saya ko pag nasa set kame,” she said.
The veteran actress mentioned that even though they cannot really bond or talk with each other on set as much as they did before the pandemic, she still enjoys her work.
Maricel praised her co-stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Iza Calzado, and Sam Milby for the kindness, professionalism, and talent that the artists brought to her and the show.
“Napakabait ng mga batang ito. Ibang klase sila sa kanilang propersyon. Napaka-punctual, napaka-professional, at napakagrabe. Doon ako bumilib talaga. Ang gagaling ng dalawang babae. At hindi nagpapatalo si Sam. Magaling din si Sam Milby. Kaya akong tuwang tuwa. Kase ang husay ni Jodi, ang husay din ni Iza,” she stated.
She also said that she is always happy and proud whenever her co-stars would seek her advice in acting. She would give her best in answering their queries and teach them in any way that she can.
She is glad that she can help even the new generation of actors in the industry.
“Kapag tinatanong ako, talagang walang pagod ko silang tuturuan. Kase nagtatanong yung mga bata, bakit ko naman sila hindi tuturuan. Ang babait ng mga bata, ang gagaling,” Maricel said.
“Natutuwa ako kase meron akong natutulungan na mga bata na alam kong malayo pa ang karerang tatakbuhin ng mga to,” she added.
She thanked her co-stars and fans for believing in her talents and supported her throughout her career.
“Ang mga yan, hindi sabay-sabay dumating sa buhay ko pero nandyan na sila nakatatak sa puso ko.”
When asked about what made her say yes to the show offered to her, she explained that “Alam mo ‘yung storyang pwede mong sabihing busog na busog. Andaming nangyayari. Hindi mabagal, hindi mabilis, hindi siya comedy, drama siya.”
“Pero nandito ‘yung mabait ka pero magbabago ka. Magbabago ka dahil may pinaglalaban ka. ‘Yung ganung type na hindi ka masama pero nagmukha kang masama pero may rason. Parang ganong type,” she added.
Maricel said that the show’s unpredictable story captured her. The character that she portrays, which is full of development, also caught her attention that’s why she accepted the drama.
The series will premiere on Kapamilya Channel’s Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide via The Filipino Channel on August 17, 2020.
Originally set to air on the main ABS-CBN network, its premiere was postponed and moved to the Kapamilya Channel due to the enhanced community quarantine and the indefinite shutdown of ABS-CBN.
Maricel Soriano was named the “Diamond Star” of the Philippine Cinema. She was also hailed as the Comedy Queen, Drama Anthology Queen, Taray Queen, Dancing Queen, and Reyna Ng Mga Bakla.
Her film Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin was an official entry to the Oscar’s in 1995. In addition to being an actress, Soriano is also a singer and has recorded several songs. In 1987, she performed a sold-out concert titled “Hello, Hello Maricel” at the Araneta Coliseum.
Unmatched in the history of Philippine Cinema, Soriano has the most number of comedy films, from John en Marsha in 1973 to I Will Survive in 2004. Her Inday installment films (Inday, Inday sa Balitaw, Inday Bote and Super Inday) are all landmarks in the comedy arena.
Some of her dramatic films are now considered classics, most notable of which are Saan Darating Ang Umaga? (1983), Kaya Kong Abutin Ang Langit (1984), Hinugot sa Langit (1985), Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa (1987), Babaeng Hampaslupa (1988), Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal (1992), Inagaw mo ang lahat sa akin (1995), Abot Kamay ang Pangarap (1996) (The Philippine entry to the Oscar Awards), Soltera (1999), Mila (2001), Filipinas (2003) and Inang Yaya (2006).
Her action-oriented films with action superstars are all certified hits starting with the record-breaking Batang Quiapo (1986) until her last in 1998’s Sige Subukan Mo.
