Maricel happy to be a Kapuso

MANILA, Philippines - “Yes, I am now a Kapuso!” Maricel Soriano said during the contract-signing held last Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the boardroom of GMA Network and witnessed by some select members of the press including The STAR.

The Diamond Star added, “Syempre, I got nervous at first but excited in the same way. Nervous kasi di ba ang tagal-tagal and all of a sudden merong ganito. Honestly, may kabog syempre. I had lots of questions like ‘Paano ba ang kalakaran? Paano ba ang ganito, ganyan?’ Maninibago ka di ba?”

The contract-signing was attended by GMA Network’s top executives led by chairman and CEO lawyer Felipe Gozon, GMA Entertainment TV’s SVP Lilybeth Rasonable, GMA VP for Entertainment TV Marivin Arayata, GMA VP for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno, GMA AVP for Corp. Comm. Angela Javier-Cruz, GMA AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, program manager for ETV Redgynn Alba and Maricel’s manager Shirley Kuan.

Maricel said she couldn’t wait to start working on her first TV project as Kapuso titled Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real, that will topbill her with Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe. It will air soon on the primetime slot. 

“We’re very happy na pumayag si Maria to do this project,” said Rasonable. “We’re looking forward sa tagisan ng akting sa show na ito that viewers should not miss. I hope that it would be a pleasant experience for her being a Kapuso and we look forward to see her on TV in the coming months.”

Maricel couldn’t contain her happines over this latest development in her career. “I am very excited because the story is good,” said Maricel. “I’m also excited to work with the new set of stars. I know that I’m lucky when it comes to them (my co-stars). They are so professional and they love their work so much.” She added that she is grateful to GMA Network for giving her this opportunity.

“I thanked Papa God for this blessing. Doon nga ako napaiyak kasi it was unexpected. Hindi kasi lahat mabibigyan ng ganung klaseng importansya after all that has happened.”

But Maricel chose not to speak anymore with regards to her previous “misunderstanding” with the Kapamilya Network, preferring to just let time heal all wounds.

“Let’s just move on now and have a positive outlook instead and just be happy. I want to be happy naman kasi it just feels good, di ba?”

According to her, she’s ready for anything and has no expectations at all. 

“We have to avoid dwelling on it. ‘Wag tayo nag-e-expect kasi mas maganda yung dumadating. Sometimes, we cannot avoid getting hurt or disappointed. Kaya ang maganda walang expectations na lang di ba? Whatever God gives you is more important. Just be thankful as long as you have work, that’s more than a blessing.”

Teased that she looks blooming these days, although she admitted being loveless, Maricel stressed, “Bukod sa naka-rest ako, I have learned to not dwell on the past anymore… those hurtful and sad experiences. All of us have our own extra baggage in life naman e. Let’s just pray and submit everything to Papa God.”

The Diamond Star, who’s turning wiser at 50 tomorrow, Feb. 25, wished “for everyone to be happy, that there should be no room for negativity.”