Maricel Soriano shares the acting advice she gave Fyang Smith: ‘Yan ang pangaral ng nanay!’

Having practically grown up in showbiz as a child actress, Maricel Soriano has built up her career to become worthy of becoming the country’s one and only Diamond Star. Known for her upfront personality and candid humor, the veteran actress did not hesitate to admit that she still considers every new acting opportunity a big challenge during her solo pocket presscon for Haunted Carnival last November 12.

“61 na ako, nakaka-limang dekada na lola mo. Na-cha-challenge pa ba ako? Oo. Dati tinanong ako, (May nagsabi sa akin dati) ‘Eh kasi naman hindi kayo ma-di-direct.’ Sabi ko, ‘Ha? Paano naman gumagawa ng pelikula kung walang nag-di-direct?’ Si direk Cathy (Garcia-Sampana) niloloko niya ako. So sabi ko hindi ako ganun. Kaya nung dumating ako nung first shooting day sabi ko, ‘Hindi ako gagalaw hanggang hindi mo ako dini-direct.’ Dapat ganun. Walang label-an pagdating sa trabaho. Walang ganun dapat. Ang turing ko sa director, captain of the ship. Kung ano yung pinapagawa, at pag di nagustuhan, ay dapat mag-take two, mag-take three, mag-take four. Ganun pa din dapat. Hindi magbabago. Nirerespeto ko sila. Ayoko ng hindi ako dini-direct kasi baka hindi ko daw type. Ha! Kailan nangyari yun? Hindi nangyayari yun,” she explained. 

After starring in last year’s family drama Meet, Greet, & Bye, Maricel admitted she accepted a part in Haunted Carnival largely because of her longtime friendship with Regal Entertainment CEO Roselle Monteverde. “Alam mo, napasubo talaga ako dito eh, dahil kay Roselle. Alam mo naman na friend ko si Roselle. Hindi ako maka-hindi! Hindi ako makapalag (laughs),” she revealed. 

In the film, Maricel plays the role of grandmother to Fyang Smith’s character. The outspoken actress has always been vocal about how delighted she was to be doing the project with the young star. 

“Napakabait nung bata. Nakakatuwa yung bata kasi talagang inaaral niya. Hindi ba wala naman akong anak na babae? Kaya lagi kong sinasabi, ‘Akin na lang kayo.’ Hinihingi ko silang lahat! (laughs). Itong pelikula na ito, akala mo sa umpisa ganito, pero maloloka ka na pag pumasok kami sa perya. Asan na yung bumubuga ng apoy? Sabi ko, wala ba dito nun? Pero ang pinalit yung babaeng ahas kaya natakot talaga ako dun. Eh ang mga kasama ko kasi bata, kaya batang isip ako. Pag tumili si Fyang, tili din ako (laughs). Guma-ganyan kaming dalawa,” she recalled. 

During the press event, Maricel also shared what acting advice she gave Fyang during their time working together, “Lagi kong sinasabi, ‘O Fyang, alamin mo yung dialogue ha. Tapos magpa-coach ka kasi may coach silo dun sa acting. Mag-concentrate ka anak. Focus ka anak ha? Na pag-cut okay na. Pero pag-take, serious ka na naman ha? Sabi ko gusto ko ganun ka.’ Yan ang pangaral ng nanay (laughs). Eh kasi anak ko na yun eh.” 

Maricel also made sure to set everyone’s expectations regarding her chances at winning an award at this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal.

“Hindi na. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat. Kung wala, okay lang. Parang bonus na kasi. Eh di pag nagka-award, salamat talaga. Ako ang wish ko na lang, sana mag-number two kami di ba? Number one si Vice at si Vic Sotto yan di ba? Sa akin kasi, okay lang, kahit anong dumating. At saka ang talong, may magagawa ba tayo? Wala naman. At least top three man, okay na,” she added.