Why Maricel is one tough mama

As an old TV commercial once fearlessly declared: She’s one tough mama.

More than her titles, her awards and accolades as the country’s Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano carries the badge of motherhood with extreme courage and conviction. She is one proud mama.

That is why Filipino mothers everywhere look up to her and have elevated her to her current status as one of the industry’s top celebrity endorsers. They all see in Maricel a part of themselves. She mirrors their daily struggles, their everyday successes–whether on her toprating ABS-CBN 2 sitcom Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis or in her real-life role as working single mom.

Moreover, they’ve watched her grow up through the years: from a precocious child star on John en Marsha to a teenaged idol during her Underage and Inday Bote days and to her present stature as an A-list actress to reckon with in such award-winning movies as Mila and Filipinas.

She has matured, evolved right in front of a riveted public. That is another aspect of her persona that has impressed her most ardent fans. That she is a survivor. She took the good with the bad and has managed to come out on top. More importantly, she has remained incredibly (and consistently) forthright about life’s lessons. For the past 33 years, the business of show has taught her a lot–especially when it comes to motherhood.

"Even before I had children of my own, feeling ko I already had kids because I took care of my younger siblings," she discloses. "I was the breadwinner of my family."

Everything she’s been through has more than adequately primed her for her present-day role as mother to two growing boys, Maron who is 17, and Tien, 11. She admits it can be tricky, managing a career and a household at the same time.

"Of course, it’s not easy but I consider myself very blessed," she enthuses. "I’m very lucky to have my own mom to help me. That’s why I’m never worried even if I have to go out-of-town for location shoots. I am secure because I am leaving my sons with their grandmother."

Because she has lived her life in public, the public, in turn, has embraced Maricel as one of their own. Mothers everywhere relate to her and respond to her every word and action.

"I’m a typical mother," Maricel herself points out. Because she is one of them, when Maricel endorses products–particularly, Swift Juicy Corned Beef and Fiesta Spaghetti Noodles–her motherly fans gladly make a beeline to the grocery store.

Maricel takes her role as pitch lady seriously and she makes it a point to attach her name to only the most superior high-quality products in the market. "As a typical mother, I can be very choosy when it comes to buying food products for my own kitchen," she confirms. "I want only the best for my children."

Also helping her out in this department is her manager Wyngard Tracy, who is respected in the industry for his credibility and exacting standards. "Even before an offer reaches me, it has gone through my management office na," Maricel explains. "Even when it comes to my movies or TV shows. Even interviews. Anything really. Including commercials. Nasala na because meron akong napakalaking archangel behind me. When I say malaking archangel, it could mean because of height or width!" She roars heartily.

"When I am doing commercials, they just ask me to be myself," she remarks. She makes certain to have loads of fun on the sets of her commercial shoots. The mood on the set is always cheery and light.

Indeed, it’s a fiesta whenever she’s around. And like the brand she endorses, Maricel can also be a Swift worker. A quick study. A no-nonsense professional.

"She can finish recording a radio ad in 30 minutes flat," a colleague shares.

She may be a fun-loving gal, but when it comes to work, Maricel means business. The same combination of levity and gravity, Maricel is able to tap at home–taking care of her sons.

"I’m a cool mom," she chimes in. "But not super cool because there are limits." She knows how and when to have a blast with her kids, but when it comes to such serious matters as discipline (like finishing homework and waking up early for their tutorials), she can also be a stern disciplinarian.

"I am also strict, in a way," she affirms. For sure, Maricel can very well boast a Ph.D. in parenting, especially since her two boys are worlds apart, personality wise.

"They’re opposites," Mama Maria volunteers. "Maron is medyo shy, reserved. But, I think he has also gone full circle. Now, I can say he has opened up a lot. Now, he can confidently express what he is thinking, what he is feeling, his thoughts, his plans." Tien, her youngest, is more of an extrovert, she says with pride. "Unlimited edition ng mga tanong na Why? He’s the type who wants assurance and guarantees. He’s very vocal."

Quite naturally, she often feels sad whenever she has to leave her kids and go off to work, like any other working mom. Especially now that Maron is studying in the United States (he’s on his third year in high school).

"Well, it’s not easy," she declares with a strange mixture of wistfulness and intensity. "It’s hard, but I have to be strong for them."

In the end, it’s all about having and maintaining open lines of communication. "You just have to make it clear to them that you go through everything in life, not alone, but with them," she exclaims. "You struggle together, because you are a family."

Spoken like one tough mama.