Over a span of more than half a century, Maricel Soriano, known as the Diamond Star, has proven time and again that she's not just an actress - she's a force of nature.
Starting out as a child actor, Maricel captured hearts eventually carving an enduring mark in the industry.
At one point, she earned the moniker "Taray Queen," a title she finds amusing.
Reflecting on this, Maricel says, "Nu'ng araw kasi diretsyo ako kausap. Kung anong tinatanong, yun ang sagot. Kaya sabi nila: 'Ay mataray pala itong babae na ito.' Sabi ko, 'Bakit kaya ako tinawag na mataray e sinabi ko lang naman yung totoo, di ba?' Pag nag-tell the truth ka pala mataray ka pala."
Recalling her early years, Maricel says she was already aware of her responsibilities at a very young age.
"Ako nu'n nagpaalam ako na kailangan kong magtrabaho para I can put food on the table para sa family ko... Alam mo feeling ko, nu'ng bata ako, nagmamadali ako para mag-mature para maintindihan ko lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay ko. Kasi hindi ko naiintindihan e. Siyempre ang bata. Six years old, lola na ako nu'n... Masyadong advance yung utak ko sa liit ko yun naiintindihan ko yun."
Looking back, she feels grateful to have achieved her dreams, including helping her siblings finish their studies.
When it comes to receiving compliments here and there, and hearing younger generations of stars express pride in sharing the screen with her, Maricel admits to feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Minsan hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. Nahihiya ako," she shared.
For those who feel self-conscious in her presence, Maricel offers reassurance, encouraging them not to feel intimidated.
"Uy, huwag kayong ganyan. Di naman ako nangangagat," she would tell them, before admitting that she does so, "Para matawa sila."
She eventually turns this into advice, reminding them that such an attitude can hinder their performance as actors.
As for mentors, the first person that comes to her mind is the late King of Comedy, Dolphy Quizon.
"Si Daddy Dolphy siya yung maraming payo. Lagi niyang sinasabi na magpapakumbaba ka. Wag masyadong matayog ang lipad ng saronggala ni Pepe," she recalls.
"'Kailangan mo din maintindihan na kung minsan hindi tatayo yung tao kasi nahihiya.' Sabi niya, 'Ikaw na. Ikaw na ang magparaya, anak.' Sabi ko, 'Dad, ang hirap naman ng pinapagawa mo.' 'Bruha,' sabi niya sa akin. Bruha daw ako... Pero nu'ng nawala na siya (Dolphy), du'n ko naintindihan lalo yung sinasabi niya... Madami akong ganu'n."
Maricel has had her fair share of memorable moments, including the time she received a scolding from the late renowned director-writer Ishmael Bernal.
"Kasi gusto niya perfect. Hindi pwede sa kanya yung good lang. Kailangan perfect. Kailangan marinig mo yung: 'Cut. Perfect. Very good. Thank you,' ganu'n!"
This incident occurred during the filming of the 1982 movie "Galawgaw."
"May lagnat ako e. 40 (degrees Celsius) yung lagnat ko pero pumunta ako sa set. Late ako ng 10 minutes. Nagalit siya. 'Hindi pwede tayong nale-late.' In-explain niya. Naitindihan ko," she shared.
"Tsaka maganda yung explanation, 'Kasi yung mga tao na yan, uuwi pa yan. Kayo sasakay na lang kayo ng kotse niyo... Yung mga crew, ang dami pa nilang gagawin...' Pero totoo naman talaga kaya hindi ka pwedeng ma-late."
Maricel adds in jest: "Mabuti nga hindi ako nabato ng magic flying chair... Yung iba nabato. Ako, hindi ako nabato."
Maricel is set to join the second season of "Pira-Pirasong Paraiso." She revealed the project is actually an "answered prayer."
"Pinag-pray ko to. Sabi ko: 'Lord, I want to be responsible again. Kaya dapat meron akong nagagawa na marami akong napapatawa, napapaiyak, maraming napapaintindi. Gusto ko yun."
According to her, there was actually a time when she turned down any work offer.
"May stage ako na ganu'n - na ayoko, hindi pa maramdaman. Sabi ko kapag naramdaman ko ito, tuloy-tuloy tayo. Ayan na nga," she said.
Maricel's last TV projects were the 2019 series "The General's Daughter" and the 2020 series "Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin."
Given the opportunity, Maricel looks forward to portraying a "bida-kontrabida role."
"Para iba lang. Pero kailangan may redeeming factor. Dapat may rason. Anong rason niya bakit ganu'n," she said, citing her 1984 film "Kaya Kong Abutin Ang Langit" as an example.
She emphasizes that nowadays, she only picks projects that she is passionate about.
"Tsaka masaya ako. Importante yun kasi pag hindi ko yun naramdaman, uwi na tayo. Ayoko na. Hindi ako masaya dito. Kaya gusto ko, masaya ako."
Given the chance, she looks forward to working with Daniel Padilla, Enchong Dee, and Joshua Garcia.
She praises the latter, saying, "He's really good."