Maricel Soriano

Maricel Soriano (born Maria Cecilia Dador Soriano; February 25, 1965) is a Filipina film and television actress. She has starred in numerous films covering different genres including comedy, fantasy (Inday series), horror, suspense, action, romance and drama.

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.

Besides her acting work, Soriano has also been a recording producer, owning Diamond Star Records in 1994 with Manny Valera and dissolved later on. One of her recording groups was Civil Eyes from 1994 to 1998.

Biography

Dubbed as the 'Diamond Star' in the Philippine entertainment industry with 108 movies and several television awards (including Best Child Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Achiever Award as actress/producer, Best Performer and Best Actress) from various award-giving bodies such as FAMAS, PMPC, Empress, FAP, YCC, Pasado, GMMSFP, MMFF, Manila, Iloilo and Cinemanila Film Festivals. She was also known as 'Taray Queen' for her feisty roles in movies, where she's usually loud and energetic at the same time.

Soriano started acting at the age of six in the 1971 film My Heart Belongs to Daddy with Tirso Cruz III and fellow child actress Snooky Serna. She was brought by her paternal grandmother to Sampaguita Pictures search for a child actress who will portray Tirso Cruz, III's younger sister. With her dancing, singing and acting skills, she grabbed the part.

Soriano developed her comic skills under the guidance of the late Dolphy (King of Comedy) and the late Nida Blanca, one of the country's top caliber actors, both of whom she considered as second parents, especially when she grew up acting in John en Marsha where she was a regular cast.

In the 1980s, she was launched to full stardom as one of the Regal Babies along with Snooky Serna, Dina Bonnevie, Gabby Concepcion, Albert Martinez, Alfie Anido, Jimi Melendez and her loveteam partner, William Martinez. Her 1985 film Hinugot sa Langit, produced by Regal Films and directed by national artist Ishmael Bernal, is now considered as one of the classics of Philippine cinema.

She was also named as "Drama Anthology Queen" in the early 1990s because of her successful weekly drama show (produced by Regal Films and ABS-CBN) topped the primetime ratings game since its airing in October 1986. After two years, she with sister Maria Victoria and former manager Manny Valera established Excellent Productions and took the helm of producing the show. The drama show lasted for ten years and was awarded by the Catholic Mass Media Awards in 1988 and 1989 and the KBP's Golden Dove Media Awards in 1992 and 1993 as outstanding drama anthology. As main performer, she received Star Award's best actress for drama honors in 1988, 1989 and 1992.

In September 2009, Soriano appeared in Florinda, the third and final episode of Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection.

In 2010, Soriano guested in Pilyang Kerubin where she played a mother who gives to her children; this was her first GMA Network show.

In 2017, she returned on ABS-CBN to do some projects.

Success and fame

Soriano started her showbiz career as a child star in 1971, appearing as the kid sister of Tirso Cruz III in Sampaguita Pictures' "My Heart Belongs to Daddy". Appearing in a cameo role which lasted only for only 15 minutes, Soriano's screen presence in the film made an impact as she showed her singing, dancing and acting talent. She was seen in various films in the early 70s like "Dalawang Mukha ng Tagumpay", "Somewhere over the Rainbow", "Lady Luck", "Captain Barbel" and was billed simply as Maricel. However in 1974, she took home the best child actress statuette in the 9th Manila Film Festival by playing the child of Boots Anson Roa and Dante Rivero. In 1973, Ading Fernando noticed her flair for comedy and cast her immediately as Shirley Puruntong, the street-smart, strong-willed yet funny daughter of John and Marsha Puruntung. The sitcom became a huge hit that movie franchises followed in 70s, 80s and 90s. It was in the Iloilo Film Festival in 1974 that she bagged another best child actress for the movie version of "John en Marsha". She also starred in "Kaluskos Musmos" in 1978 as the feisty newscaster Jacklyn Pusit, Farrah Pusit's (Chichay) grandchild. It was in 1980, Soriano was the second choice to play the lead in "Katorse" after former child actress Snooky Serna turned down the offer. Since Soriano was not yet ready for daring roles, she begged off and opted to do instead, "Underage" in the same year. Soriano was re-launched into full stardom via Regal Films' Underage, where her thespian talent and charisma shone brightest among the lead stars of the movie. Her tandem with William Martinez was launched via the hit movie Oh My Mama in 1981. She was considered the top 'Regal Baby' in the 1980s and 1990s prompting the Regal matriarch, Lily Monteverde to quip, "Regal without Maricel is nothing".

Versatility

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.

Soriano is also considered the 'Dancing Queen' of the 1980s, and her signature dance numbers, "I Am What I Am", "Body Dancer", "Rico Mambo, Angela Clemmons' "Give Me Just a Little More Time" and Shalamar's "A Night to Remember", among others have continued to be associated with her even to this very day. While not a professional singer, she even managed to record two songs, the theme song of the movie, Oh, My Mama! and the gold record hit "Ngayon at Habang Panahon". Aside from a sold out concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum entitled "Hello, Hello Maricel" in 1987, she has appeared in hit concerts locally and abroad in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The TV icon

Aside from successfully conquering the movie scene, Soriano duplicated her feat on television with a variety of shows. From the sitcom John en Marsha, she also starred in Kaluskos Musmos and Kuskos Balungos, youth oriented programs in the 1970s. She has appeared in musical variety shows (Maria! Maria!, "I M Wat I M" Maricel Live!), a drama anthology (Maricel Drama Special), comedy shows (2+2, Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis, Mary d' Potter, Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis), soap operas (Vietnam Rose, Florinda, Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real and The General's Daughter) and John En Shirley (a spin-off of her original sitcom), where she is reunited with Dolphy and Susan Roces.

The Diamond Star can be considered foremost a progeny of television and her face has continued to become a staple in the small tube. Even with her short hiatus in making movies, Soriano was consistently seen in the longest-running drama anthology which was named after her, and the reprisal of the role of Shirley Purontong brought her into full circle as a certified icon in Philippine TV.

She has received two awards from the Asian TV Awards as Best Actress in a Comedy Show aside from her two awards for the same category from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC). The PMPC honored her with six awards as Best Actress in a Drama Anthology (The Maricel Soriano Drama Special) in 1988, 1989 and 1992 and Best Actress for Drama in a Soap Opera (Vietnam Rose) 2006 and (Florinda) 2010 and Best Actress for Drama in Single Performance (MMK – Baso episode) in 2017.

The Society of Entertainment (Enpress) thru their Golden Screen Awards for TV, the OFW Kakampi Awards and the EduKCircle TV Awards gave her the Best Actress for Drama trophies for her compelling performance in GMA-7's Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real in 2014.

A sought after celebrity endorser, she has endorsed a wide variety of products and is considered one of the most credible among the elite group of endorsers. She is reported to lend her name only with those products she believes in and uses it as well. Her endorsements as a child started in 1974 with Breeze laundry powder and Bear Brand powder milk with Nida Blanca (banking on their mother-daughter roles). She also appeared in the print ads of Libby's Pork and Beans and Newton's Coco Spread. Her appeal to consumers help catapult a number of products (and infomercial) to gain a sizable share of the market, most notably: Ever Gotesco Malls, Modess, Green Cross Alcohol & Soap, Whisper, Alaska, Globe, Swift Spaghetti & Corned Beef, Loviscol, McDonald's, Jollibee, Mr. Clean, Breeze, Minola, Fiesta Spaghetti, Golden Fiesta Cooking Oil, Aji Ginisa, Vaseline shampoo, Argentina Corned Beef, DOH's Newborn Screening, Quick Chow Noodles and Saucy Me.

Her TVC with Jollibee in the mid-90s with Cesar Montano, made the catch phrase, "Correct ka dyan" famous. As well as, the strong line, "Ang mikrobyo hindi bine-beybi, pinapatay!" for Green Cross Alchol in the late 90s. Same thing with the catchphrase, "Mauulit ito, Madalas!" with Mcdonalds Hamburger TVC during the mid-90s. She is formerly signed to GMA Network and is currently under Viva Artist Agency and ABS-CBN.

The Movie Queen

With her film output already reaching the millennium mark and a range of films unsurpassed by all other actresses, she is one of the few bestowed by filmdom with this title. The Diamond Star has practically worked in all the major film outfits in the industry, appeared with every major star, and set acting standards and box office records.

She is the third most awarded film actress of all time with 19 (child, supporting and lead actress) trophies to boost from various legitimate award giving bodies such as FAMAS, PMPC, Empress, FAP, YCC, Pasado, GMMSFP, MMFF, Manila, Iloilo and Cinemanila Film Festivals. Aside from these, Soriano has received other acting awards from various sources such as fan magazine publishing companies and people's choice awards.

In 2006, Soriano was back with Regal Films as the lead star of Bahay Kubo, a movie intended for the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Personal life

Maricel Soriano was born in Pasay City to Linda Dador and Victor Soriano. Her family initially lived in Makati and she and her sister, Maria Victoria "Becbec" attended St. Mary's Academy in Pasay City for their grade school education. But when her family transferred to Kamuning, Quezon City, she attended Trinity University of Asia (then College), CEU High School and OB Montessori. Due to her hectic schedule, she was unable to finish her secondary education. However, according to interviews, if she did not become a movie star, she would probably become a stewardess or a teacher. However, she is a computer-literate person adept at designing accessories, T-shirts, cards, certificates, stationeries. She and sister with erstwhile manager Manny Valera established Excellent Productions in 1990, but was later renamed Diamond Star Productions, Inc. taking over the weekly production of her TV drama show when Regal Films decided to discontinue. It was renamed "The Maricel Soriano Drama Special" with her sister as executive producer while she is the line producer. The same production outfit was responsible for TV sitcoms -"Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis", "Mary D'Potter" and "Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis" and the film Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin (1996) with Cesar "Buboy" Montano. She also opened Mr. Melody, a sing-along bar in Quezon City and Diamond Star Records. Previously married to Edu Manzano from 1989 to 1991. She has two sons, Marron Soriano and Sebastien Soriano. Aside from her sister, who is the mother of actress Meryll Soriano, she has brothers Michael "Mykee" Martinez and former child actor cum business entrepreneur Mel Martinez.

Discography

Soriano recorded a few songs in the 1980s including the gold single "Ngayon at Habang Panahon" penned by Tito Sotto and the theme song of her movie Oh, My Mama! in 1981.

Awards and nominations

Soriano has received a number of awards, most notable of which are the two Asian TV Awards as Best Comedy Actress, and three FAP awards, three FAMAS and five PMPC Star Awards for her drama performances. In 1974, she received her first award as Best Child Actress at the age of nine at the 9th Metro Manila Film Festival for Virgo Film's Alaala mo, Daigdig ko ("Your Memory is My World"). She won her second acting award at the 1974 Ilo-ilo Film Festival for the movie version of the TV sitcom John En Marsha which later became the longest-running Philippine sitcom. She received four consecutive nominations for FAMAS Awards in the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Her 1995 film, Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat sa Akin, produced by Reyna films was the official Philippine entry to the 1996 Oscar awards. In 1999, she was named as one of the Top 100 Stars of Philippine Cinema All-Time by Manila Times and in 2005 she was listed by the Director's Guild of the Philippines as one of the Top 15 Best Actresses of All Time. On January 5, 2008, she won the Best Actress award for Bahay Kubo at the Metro Manila Film Festival; this is her 3rd Best Actress prior to 1997's Nasaan ang Puso and 2003's Filipinas. Soriano also won in the 38th Box Office Queen and King Entertainment Awards as Film Actress of the Year for her performance in A Love Story.

International awards

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Local awards

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Other awards

Film and Television Achievement Awards

• Entertainment Press of the Philippines (Enpress) Icon Awardee (one of the 13 awardees) -2010
• FAMAS' Iconic Movie Queens of Philippine Cinema Awardee −2015
• FAMAS' Dolphy King of Comedy Awardee −2019
• PMPC's Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award for Television – 2016
• Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEED) EDDY's Film Icon Awardee – 2018
• 8th EdukCircle Awards – Best Actress in A Single Performance for MMK's "Baso" – 2018
• 44th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards – Hall of Fame for Best Actress (Five Award-Winning Performances)– 2019

PASADO Awards

• Best Actress 1999, Soltera
• Best Actress 2006, Inang Yaya

Gawad TANGLAW Awards

• Achiever's Award for Producer and Actress 2006, Inang Yaya

People's Choice Awards

• Best Actress 1992, Ikaw Pa lang ang Minahal
• Best Actress 1994, Separada

GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards

• Teen-age Box-Office Queen 1983 "Saan Darating ang Umaga? " “Ang Boyfriend kong Kano", "Summer Holiday"
• Teen-age Box-Office Queen 1984 "Kaya kong Abutin ang Langit", "Anak ni Waray vs AnaK ni Biday", "Teenage Marriage"
• Ms. RP Movies 1985 "Inday Bote”
• Ms. RP Movies 1986 "Batang Quiapo" “Inday, Inday sa Balitaw" “Horsey, Horsey Tigidig Tigidig”
• Ms. RP Movies 1994, "Separada"
• Ms. RP Movies 1999, "Soltera”
• Ms. RP Movies 2004, Filipinas
• Film Actress of the Year 2007, Inang Yaya
• Film Actress of the Year 2008, A Love Story
• Film Actress of the Year 2014, Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy

Manila Film Festival

• Best Child Actress 1974, Alaala Mo, Daigdig Ko

Iloilo Film Festival

• Best Child Actress 1974, John en Marsha

TV awards

OFW Kakampi Awards

2015 BEST ACTRESS Ang Dalawang MRS. REAL

ENPRESS Golden Screen TV Awards

• 2015 Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Program : Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real

PMPC Star Awards for TV

Nominated

28th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Drama Actress || Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real

28th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Actress in a single performance Kulungan Kanlungan

27th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Actress in a single performance Baldadong Puso

PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Actress in a single performance MMK: Sing-along Bar

5th Best Drama Actress for TV Best Drama Actress || Maricel Regal Drama Special and Maricel Soriano Drama Special

Won

• 1988 PMPC Star Awards Best Actress For Drama Maricel Regal Drama Special
• 1989 PMPC Star Awards Best Actress For Drama Maricel Regal Drama Special
• 1997 PMPC Star Awards Best Actress For Drama The Maricel Soriano Drama Special
• 2006 PMPC Star Awards Best Drama Actress for Vietnam Rose
• 2010 PMPC Star Awards Best Drama Actress for Florinda"
• 2017 PMPC Star Awards Best Actress in a Single Performance MMK "Baso"

Asian Television Awards

• 2001 Asian TV Awards Best Actress For Comedy Kaya ni Mister Kaya Ni Misis
• 2001 1st Runner up Best Actress for Drama Asian TV Awards Maricel Soriano Drama Special
• 2000 Asian TV Awards Best Actress For Comedy Kaya ni Mister Kaya Ni Misis

Golden Dove Awards

• 1990 Golden Dove Awards Best Drama Show Maricel Regal Drama Special
• 1991 Golden Dove Awards Best Drama Show Maricel Regal Drama Special

CMMA Awards

• 1983 CMMA 1st Runner-up Best Supporting Actress for Saan Darating Ang Umaga?
• 1988 CMMA Awards Best Drama Show Maricel Regal Drama Special
• 1989 CMMA Awards Best Drama Show Maricel Regal Drama Special

Record awards and concerts

• 1982: "Ngayon at Habang Panahon" (Gold single)
• 1982: "Oh My Mama"
• 1985: Theme from Inday Bote, Karitong Paikot-ikot, I Am What I Am
• 1985: "John en Marsha sa America Show" in LA, San Francisco, Winnipeg Canada, Toronto Canada
• 1986: Sung "Mahal na Mahal Kita" in Horsey Horsey Tigidig Tigidig
• 1986: Sung "Kahit Na" in Batang Quiapo
• 1986: "Hello Hello Maricel" (also sang a duet with Raymond Lauchengco, the theme of their movie Saan Darating Ang Umaga?)
• 1987: Maricel and Roderick concert in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore

Entertainment and industry awards