It has been every aspiring and promising actor’s dream to be able to work with some of the seasoned and veteran thespians in the country as their showbiz careers continue to progress. And one of the top names that come to their minds when asked whom they wish to share a scene with is the one and only Diamond Star Maricel Soriano.
While this remains an elusive dream for some, several artists have already achieved it, among them being one of her generation’s most sought-after and most beloved stars, Belle Mariano. This year, she is given the opportunity to be on the same project as the award-winning veteran actress via the upcoming Star Cinema family drama flick “Meet, Greet, and Bye,” now showing in cinemas nationwide.
Maricel and Belle provided us a glimpse of their endearing bond via their lovely and insightful conversation in this video uploaded in the Diamond Star’s YouTube channel.
Maricel commenced their “tanungan” by enthusing how she and Belle really look alike, especially when both of them were still babies, as well as how the young actress—whom she fondly calls by her real name Belinda since she has already considered her as her own daughter—has become close to her heart. It may be her vlog, but Maricel has also allowed her beautiful guest to ask her questions, too.
Maricel and Belle’s dream jobs
She may have been known as an exceptional actress over the past five decades that she has been in the industry, but the veteran actress admitted that she actually used to dream of becoming a flight attendant due to her desire to go places. However, as time went by, her experiences in life made her realize that she actually wanted to be a lawyer, which Belle revealed used to be her aspiration, too.
Show business may have been perceived by some as their gateway to the lush life, but not for Belle, who has been genuinely passionate about being an artist ever since she was young. According to the young actress, it was actually her who persuaded her parents to allow her to try showbiz, but they were initially against it since they wanted her to finish school first. But she promised them to do everything she could to balance school and work because she’d already set her heart on it.
Belle reminisced about how she used to love performing in front of many people growing up, as well as love watching the popular children’s show “Barney”, which both sparked her desire to become an artista.
The greatest lesson Maricel has learned in the industry
In the more than five decades that she has been in the industry, Maricel has surely met and collaborated with various people, as well as worked on a variety of projects, through which she’s able to pick up nuggets of wisdom that she was able to apply both in her life and career.
When asked by Belle what the greatest lesson she has ever learned from the industry is, it would be to have a firm disposition, strong will, and oozing confidence because being here has never been as easy as it may seem. According to them, things only get lighter for celebrities like them upon seeing the positive reaction from the fans and viewers towards their work.
Working with one another
Since it was her first time working with her, Belle confessed that she actually felt afraid of Maricel, whom she fondly regards as “Mama,” at first since she is the “Diamond Star,” no less. But as time went by, she eventually turned to love her as if she were her own mom, as well as discovering how cool she actually is. She went on to add that it was a good kind of fear, as it motivates her to do her best.
Meanwhile, when quizzed about her impression of Belle, Maricel recalled how stunned she was of her beauty . Besides, she was astonished to find out that aside from acting, she can also sing and dance well, which she was looking for to seeing. The showbiz icon went on to impart how her dream of having a genuinely happy set finally came true through “Meet, Greet, and Bye” because of how they absolutely complement each other.
“Sa atin kasi, sa samahan natin, ang saya-saya ko talaga. Sabi ko sa kanila, alam [n’yo] marami akong pelikulang nagawa na ang saya-saya ko rin. Pero walang makaka-beat dito sa feeling na ‘to ngayon, kung gaano ako ka-happy sa set,” she related.
She went on to reveal not being the type who joins her co-stars in going out or joyriding, not to mention being active in their group chat. Besides, she also always looked forward to coming to their set, to the point that she left home early, refused to leave throughout the trip, and came to her onscreen children’s respective dressing rooms before they even arrived.
“Gano’n ang feeling ko kasi, lahat kayo anak ko kaya tuwang-tuwa ako, happy na happy ako dito sa pelikulang ginawa ko na ‘to na hindi ako nagsisi kasi ang mga artistang kasama ko hindi sila pasaway. Proud na proud ako sa kanila,” Maricel shared.
The two went on to talk about Belle’s favorite member of the Facundo family, Maricel’s favorite scene in the movie, and what made them say 'yes' to the project.
Takeaways from the film
“Meet, Greet, and Bye” being a family drama film, Maricel is certain that the moviegoers can definitely relate and learn a lot from it, one of which having to do with death and grief.
She related, “Mayroon tayong mga kababayan na makikita nila ang mga sarili nila. Masakit mang isipin ‘yon o masakit ko mang bitawan ‘yon, pero totoo na nangyayari ito. Totoo na magkakasakit ang isa sa atin, dadating tayo doon sa goodbye part. ‘Pag nag-goodbye tayo, talagang i-set free na natin sana sila kasi hindi tayo makaka-move, hindi rin makaka-move on ang mga kaluluwa nila.”
Meanwhile, the film has made Belle realize the importance of showing our loved ones how much we love and value them because we’ll never know when they or we are going to be gone. Aside from giving time to them amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we must also develop the habit of saying “I love you” to them while we still can and have the opportunity.
Maricel and Belle’s dream roles
Since most of her portrayals were of roles who were kind, gentle, and decorous, Belle conveyed that she actually dreams of taking on a “bida-kontrabida" character, which she hasn’t done yet. And once that happens, she wishes to be trained by the Diamond Star when it comes to the powerful way of slapping, in which the latter is very known for.
While Maricel is definitely happy and excited for Belle to train and for her to achieve her dream role, she advised that it would be better for her to give it a little more time or wait until she turns 25, which for her is the right age for the young actress to do it. She also expressed her desire to work with Belle again in her first-ever “bida-kontrabida” project, much to the latter’s exhilaration, especially if they’re going to be mother-daughter anew.
Belle also expressed her desire to dabble in horror, since it’s one of the genres that she hasn’t tried yet.
How Maricel wants to be remembered, what is Belle’s greatest takeaway from her
With a prolific career spanning more than five decades, not to mention innumerable films, shows, and accolades under her belt, there’s no doubt that Maricel is definitely among Philippine showbiz’s “greatest of all time.”
But despite the tremendous success of her career, Maricel confessed to Belle that she actually doesn’t want to be remembered through her roles or her achievements. Instead, she wishes to be remembered for who she is as a person.
“As is. As me. Not my role in whatever movie, but I want them to know that once upon a time, there was this young little girl na gumawa ng pelikula, nag-start sa pelikula, gumawa rin sa telebisyon ng mga serye at comedy shows, may horror,” she related.
It may seem that Maricel has already played every role imaginable, but she revealed that there are still many that she hasn’t done yet, and she’s hoping to be able to do them.
Their fun and insightful chikahan concluded with Belle sharing the most memorable advice she got from the Diamond Star. She stated that it would be for her to always be grateful and humble, which, according to Maricel, she got from her onscreen father figure, King of Comedy Dolphy.
Belle elaborated, “Huwag kang mag-a-attitude, laging grateful ka lang. Kasi a humble heart is what takes you longer.”
Feel the love and family bonds from Da Facs in “Meet, Greet & Bye,” now showing in cinemas nationwide.