Maricel Soriano was in high spirits as she renewed her contract with Star Cinema last night, November 6, in the presence of her manager Wyngard Tracy and ABS-CBN executive Malou Santos. Looking radiant as always, the Diamond Star claimed that bringing quality entertainment to moviegoers has never failed to excite her. “Kahit na sabihin na nating Kapamilya [ako] dahil sa TV hindi naman [ako] nawawala, may mga ginagawang sitcom, mga soap, ganun—siyempre nakakatuwa dahil hindi nila (Star Cinema) ako nakakalimutan. Kaya siyempre nagpapasalamat ako palagi sa mga oportunidad na ibinibigay nila na makagawa ulit ng isang makabuluhang pelikula,” she stressed.

Despite much prodding though, she remained mum about the details of her contract and stuck closely to subjects such as her reunion with Direk Chito Roño in T2 (working title of her upcoming movie). The last time they worked together was in Dahas (1995) which also happened to be a suspense-thriller. “Alam mo, sa tagal ng panahon, nagme-memo pad kaming dalawa nung mga times noon… marami kaming nakakatawang [experiences]. Siyempre uuwi kami maaga na dahil horror yung movie namin ‘di ba? So kapag umuuwi kaming pagod, sabi ko nga kay Wyngard, ‘Alam mo Wyn, ngayon ako umuwi ng pagod pero happy ako. Alam mo yung may ngiti sa iyong mga labi bago ka humimlay sa iyongisleepany?’” Maricel intoned.

With Direk Chito’s winning form directing thrillers (following the success of Sukob, Feng Shui, and Spirit Warriors), Maricel vowed that T2 is going to be another one of his hit horror movies with its unexpected twists and turns. “Kagaya ng Dahas nung ginawa namin yun, parang iisipin mo nung binasa mo yung script parang, ‘Ahhh, so gano’n lang pala.’ Kasi yung style ni Direk Chito nanggugulat yun. Bigla ka na lang magugulat na, ‘Ay ang ganda-ganda!’ Nasha-shock kaming lahat,” she maintained.

At the same time, the dramatic story of the characters will surely touch many hearts especially those who find themselves in a similar predicament. “Pero kahit nakakatakot, sa kabila ng lahat, may puso. Yung parang nakakaiyak tapos maraming makaka-relate. First, [from the point of view of] ng isang bata na nawalan ng mga magulang at ipapa-adopt kaagad. Tapos yung character ko na sa opening palang, [ipapakita] na yung aspeto ng realidad ng mag-asawa na parang maghihiwalay na dahil hindi na kasi sila masaya... yung ganyan,” she narrated.

Now that she has come a long way in the world of show business, Maricel felt glad that she has the luxury to choose the kind of roles she wish to portray. “Pinipili ng mapiling ina (Wyngard). Siyempre nag-uusap kami palagi. ‘Di ba masarap naman gumawa ng pelikula na gusto mo rin yung ginagawa mo; Hindi yung dumating tayo sa aspeto ng buhay natin na kailangan lang nating gawin. Ito ganun, pero aside from kailangan mo siya’ng gawin hindi na siya yung number one reason, kung hindi dahil gusto mo siya’ng gawin, inspired ka. Gano’n ka-simple,” she remarked.

A Star Cinema production, T2 is set to be shown next year in theatres nationwide. The cast also includes Derek Ramsay, Eric Fructoso, and Mica dela Cruz.