MARICEL Soriano was known to be uncompromisingly assertive back when she was younger, earning the “taray” tag in the process.
She has mellowed since.
This was obvious in her tone, her mannerism.
The actress admitted as much.
A big factor in the change? Age.
“Parang tapos na ako diyan, at my age ayoko na ma-stress, hindi worth it,” said the 54-year-old.
But what if she actually gets to work with someone who tests her nerves?
“Hindi pa rin,” she said. “Lalayo na lang ako. Hindi dahil sa baka masabunutan ko o ano pero ayoko sa negative, ayoko sa bad vibes.”
Maricel is back on the big screen in “The Heiress,” a horror movie that has her playing the role of a mambabarang or witch eager to have her niece follow in her footsteps.
Given the chance to actually put a spell on someone, would she do it?
“Naku bad ‘yun, you shouldn’t even consider these things kasi nga ‘diba it’s wrong, it’s evil,” said Maricel.
Her young co-stars in the movie, Janella Salvador and McCoy de Leon, both admitted they were scared of her before the shoot started.
Janella said, “Ako more on starstruck ako eh, siyempre she’s the Maricel Soriano. She’s the main reason why I accepted the project actually. I really wanted to work with her for the longest time. Pero ‘yun nga ‘diba kasi she has this reputation so, medyo ayaw ko lumapit noong una. I was actually surprised na very approachable and accommodating siya. She was like a mother to me sa set. I learned a lot from her and I am so grateful.”
McCoy related, “I really feel so lucky and blessed na nabigyan ako ng chance na makatrabaho ang isang Maricel Soriano. It’s a great experience. Ang layo ng mataray image niya sa real persona niya. Maalaga siya.”
Maricel simply laughed hearing what her co-stars said.
“Ano akala nila sa akin, totoong mambabarang? No, seriously, ako kasi, kapag nararamdaman kong ilang sa’kin ang co-stars ko, ako na mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan to make them feel comfortable. Ako naman basta gawin lang nila ang trabaho nila nang maayos, ayos din ako. Narito naman ako para umalalay sa kanila.”
“The Heiress” was originally meant as entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival but it didn’t make the cut.
Maricel said, “Siyempre, sad kami, but then, who are we to question kung anong plano ni God, di ba? Malay natin, ngayong we are given an earlier playdate, mas malaki pala ang kitain ng movie namin.”
So what can we expect from “The Heiress?”
Maricel intoned, “Marami na akong nagawang horror films in the past pero madalas ako ‘yung tinatakot, ngayon ako ang mananakot. Kaya humanda kayo!”
Also starring Sunshine Cruz and Jane de Leon, “The Heiress” is now showing in cinemas nationwide. (Neil Ramos)
