Did you know that Maricel Soriano and Eric Quizon are virtual siblings? In fact, they consider each other more than biological brother and sister. Remember that Maricel, fondly called Maria, practically grew up under the wings of Dolphy, Eric’s late father who raised Maria as his own daughter in the long-running Martial Law sitcom John en Marsha. Eric was not part of the cast but he followed every episode of it, “living” it, thus nurturing a brotherly affection for Maria. (Included in the cast was Eric’s late half-brother Rolly Quizon.)
In My 2 Mommies, opening on Wednesday, May 9, as Regal Entertainment’s Mother’s Day offering, Eric is directing Maria (in a movie) for the first time. Under Regal, they have starred in some five movies and Eric has directed Maria in TV dramas. Asked if he wasn’t “intimidated” by Maria this time around, Eric said no. Said Maria, “Actually, siya ang nakaka-intimidate as a director. Ang guapo kasi, eh!”
In the story written by Joey Javier Reyes, Maria plays the aunt of Paolo Ballesteros, a discreet gay guy who discovers to his dismay after a few years that he has born a son (played by Marcus Cabais) with an ex-girlfriend (played by Solenn Heussaff) who suddenly shows up in his life. Also in the cast is Joem Bascon as Paolo’s lover.
Lukaret (crazy) is how Maria described her role. Asked who her peg was, Maria laughed, “None. Ako lang!”
Starring with Paolo Ballesteros, Solenn Heussaff and child actor Marcus Cabais in My 2 Mommies, a Regal Entertainment Mother’s Day offering (directed by Eric Quizon), Maricel Soriano regales her friend movie writers in a free- wheeling Conversation
Touted as a Diamond Star, Maria was to the klieg lights born. At six years old, she was cutting her acting teeth in the kiddie TV show Kaluskos Musmos (produced by Imee Marcos) before she graduated to being Dolphy and the late Nida Blanca’s daughter in John en Marsha. Launched as the first batch of Regal babies (along with Dina Bonnevie and Snooky Serna) in the early ‘80s, Maria was soon hailed as an all-around actress excelling in both comedy (as the Taray [bratty] tandem of William Martinez) and drama (a standout in, among others, Hinugot sa Langit, Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit and Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa). She was likened to her TV mom Nida, a bright star in both genres.
She didn’t pass the so-called “awkward stage,” unlike most child actors transitioning into a young adulthood and finally to a maturity. Noted Mario Bautista, “Dere-derecho siya, never na nawala sa eksena,” except for very brief spells that passed unnoticed.
Two weeks ago, Maria with Eric met over lunch with a select group of writers at a function room of Novotel. Last seen in the GMA drama Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real (with Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe), Maria has deliberately stayed away from the limelight and lured back by a “special role” in My 2 Mommies — that is, before she started shooting (scheduled yesterday) for The General’s Daughter, a Kapamilya soap which pits her with Angel Locsin.
“She’s doing this movie for the love of Mother Lily,” disclosed Eric.
“And for you,” countered Maria.
“We were supposed to do another movie and Maria got excited,” continued Eric. “I told her that that was for later. Just the same, she was eager to do this movie because it’s a Mother’s Day offering. She has done several Mother’s Day movies for Regal.”
Maria also considers the Regal Matriarch as her Nanay.
“She raised me not only as a contract star but also like a daughter,” said Maria.
Mother Lily’s daughter Roselle Monteverde, also present at the exclusive presscon, nodded. They treat each other as sisters.
Because she was comfortable with the invited writers, Maria was in her element, shifting from one topic to another, from the sad to the happy, from serious to the petty. She was the same old Maricel Soriano again.
Dolphy’s name kept cropping up and Maria reacted with a certain sadness. When Dolphy died, Maria said she felt as if “napilayan ako.” Crippled, yes!
“I sneaked into his hospital room one night without anybody knowing it,” she recalled. “Tinitingnan ako ng guard. Kung sinita niya ako, sasabihin ko talaga, ‘Anak ako; wala akong papel na ipapakita pero anak ako.’ The guard let me in. My daddy was asleep, under sedation, and I just sat there quietly looking at him, watching him,” adding, “Ay, let’s talk about happier things.”
Solenn and Paolo play parents to Marcus who considers them his two mommies for obvious reasons
Like Paolo’s role in the movie, which is different from his other loud-gay roles in his previous movies.
“He’s good, very good,” gushed Maria. “We didn’t need rehearsal. Shoot kaagad! Masayang ka-trabaho, like Solenn with whom I worked in a movie (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow).”
“Actually,” said Eric, “Paolo reminded me of my dad. He’s a natural comedian. He improvises after every take. Magaan i-direk.”
Asked how she is as a mother, Maria (a mother of two, both grown-ups, the older has had five girlfriends, according to Maria).
“I advise them not to be in a hurry,” said Maria. “Mahaba pa ang biyahe. Mag-enjoy lang muna sila.” Enough said.
Unlike other actresses who pollute the social media with negativity, Maria doesn’t have any socmed account (neither Twitter nor Facebook nor Instagram). That way, she can enjoy a certain amount of privacy.
“Ayokong binabastos ako ng mga taong hindi ko naman kilala,” she stressed. “Why should I fight with people that I don’t see, that I don’t know,” adding in her signature taray tone, “sapakan na lang ng ‘live,’ hahaha!!! Tataasan ko na lang sila ng kilay! At my age, bakit ko papayagan ang sinuman na bastusin ako? Nakakahiya na, di ba?”
And how does she feel about social-media-active celebrities?
“It’s their choice. Kaya magdusa sila!”
After the presscon, Maria, Eric and Roselle posed for a “family picture” with the writers. I didn’t think she would have minded if the picture was uploaded posthaste on social media. After all, it evokes positivity.
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)