Digitally restored Soltera marks Maricel’s 50th showbiz anniversary
The digital restoration of the 1999 Star Cinema hit drama film, Soltera, celebrates the 50th showbiz anniversary of Maricel Soriano.
After many years of appearing in various roles in film and on TV, Maricel has maintained her legion of fans since her younger days and managed to attract a new set of followers among young millennials and Gen Z’s.
The observation was shared by ABS-CBN head of film archives and restoration, Leo Katigbak, who spearheads ABS-CBN’s award-winning Sagip Pelikula campaign during the restored film’s premiere via KTX.ph.
When it was announced that Soltera would be restored, Leo recalled receiving many inquiries from Maricel’s fans, who were in their 20s and too young then to watch movies in theaters and cinemas.
“I find it so fascinating that your fans come from different generations,” Leo told the award-winning Diamond Star. “Unlike others whose fans have grown old, you have your older fans and a new generation of fans who fervently follow and support you.”
Maricel shared she was bewildered to see young girls during her fans’ day gatherings and asked them why they followed her as she is old enough to be their mother.
“Sabi ko sa mga ‘junior Maricelians,’ bakit kayo andito? Nagtatanong ako sa inyo kasi ang babata ninyo,” shared Maricel. “Hindi ninyo ako kilala. Ilang dekada ang layo ng edad natin. Mga anak ko na kayong lahat. Mga dalagita pa lang kayo. Hindi niyo ako kilala.”
“Sagot nila, hindi totoo yan. Kilala namin kayo. Di ba sa ‘Inday Bote,’ may mga duwende noon? Napanood namin. Jinu-justify nila bakit nila ako gusto at kilala,” she said amusingly.
Now, young and old fans of Maricel can watch Soltera and her other classic films that show her versatility as a drama and comedy actress via Sagip Pelikula Festival. Streaming on KTX.ph are her digitally restored films that include Mila, Ikaw Pa Lang Ang Minahal, John & Marsha ’85 sa Probinsya, Separada, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin and Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat sa Akin.
In Soltera, Maricel plays Sandra, a successful wedding planner, who falls in love with an indecisive young real estate salesman, Eric (Diether Ocampo). Despite their vast age difference and contrasting outlooks in life, they try to defy the odds that come with their affair. But things take a swerve as Eric’s restlessness draws him to Sandra’s beloved assistant, Lisa (Claudine Barretto).
Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and co-written with Jun Lana, the film also stars Maila Gumila, Nida Blanca, Edu Manzano and Raymond Bagatsing, who scored a grand slam win as Best Supporting Actor.
“I am honored to be part of Soltera, which has a great story. I am elated to be part of something worth remastering,” said Raymond.
According to direk Jerry, the film is close to his heart. He was inspired by the story of a close friend, who had a relationship with a younger man.
“My best friend and I used to live together, so I saw the daily existence of her relationship. Napaka-interesting gawing pelikula at ikuwento. Ang mga napapanood ko in the past ay mas matatanda ang mga lalake. Ngayon, mas matanda ang babae. Tribute ito sa kanila. Witness ako sa relationship nila at grabe yung mga pinagdaanan,” he shared.
Jerry said he also feels “blessed” that two of his three films have been digitally restored, enabling young Filipinos to watch the best Filipino films done in the past.
“They will now have the opportunity to see these films in better quality,” he added. “I hope ABS-CBN will continue to restore films through Sagip Pelikula.”
ABS-CBN Film Restoration’s Sagip Pelikula project has earned multiple recognitions from award-giving bodies worldwide, including the prestigious Gold Quill Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Gawad Pedro Bucaneg from Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL).
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