Maricel Laxa breaks television hiatus

Just when most of the traditional Christmas events and specials have been put on hold because of the pandemic, TV5 will premiere “Paano ang Pasko?”, a star-studded Christmas series tailor-made for the times. Starring some of the most promising and biggest names in the Philippine entertainment industry, it was  created by Palanca Hall of Famer Jun Robles Lana and directed by Enrico Quizon, Ricky Davao and Perci Intalan.

This special drama series revolves around a family’s unprecedented holiday gathering and how old wounds and struggles threaten to dampen the supposed joyous occasion. The series assembles a powerhouse cast that marks the return to television drama of two award-winning actresses: Urian winner Maricel Laxa who plays Faith, the loving matriarch who is about to discover a long-kept family secret, and Cinemalaya winner Julia Clarete who plays Love, the eldest daughter whose past is coming back to haunt not just her but her entire family.

A familiar lead in most top-rating teleseryes, Beauty Gonzales plays Hope, the second daughter that has a past with her sister’s husband. Young actor Elijah Canlas also stars in his first teleserye after winning Best Actor at the 17th Asian Film Festival in Rome and at the 43rd Urian Awards. He takes on the role of Noel, the troubled grandson who is about to discover the truth about his lineage.

“Paano ang Pasko” marks the acting comeback of Maricel Laxa in a TV series. She was last seen in the movie “Hello Love Goodbye” where she played the mother of Kathryn Bernardo. She got an Urian Best Supporting Actress nomination for that.

In a Zoom conference held Wednesday afternoon, Maricel said she fell in love with the story, that’s why she accepted the offer. She was also excited to work with talented actors. She followed the advice of her son Donny Pangilinan who said that if there is a good acting offer, she should accept it because she wants to face the cameras again.

“It’s a beautiful project and if they promise that they won’t make me work like a horse then I will do it,” said Maricel, adding that she is happy being a wife and mother. “Of course, I had to ask my husband if he will allow me to act again.”

When she saw the trailer of “Paano ang Pasko?” she was intimidated by the words used to described her screen comeback.

“I am just doing what I am expected and that is to act well. Dapat lang naman na pagbutihan ko ang acting ko,” said Maricel who left showbiz many years ago to have a family and take care of her kids.

“I cried when I saw the trailer. I am humbled by the good words said about me. It was a season in my life when I decided to leave showbiz and start a life as a wife and mother. I won’t be able to accept this project without the permission of my husband and the blessing of my children. I have so much joy and happiness in my heart that I became part of this show.”

On how she thinks Christmas will be like during the time of pandemic, Maricel said, “There will still be Christmas no matter what happens. There were so many things that happened to us this year. Everything was gloomy and dark. There was a pandemic and calamities that destroyed some places in our country. But there is always light at the end of darkness. Pinoys are known to be resilient. We must move forward and rebuild.”