Perhaps one of Maricel Soriano’s secrets why she has always stayed beautiful and young at heart is her friendship with the young stars she has worked with. During a press con last Thursday, November 6, she noted how she and Angelica Panganiban have been through a lot together over the last 14 years. “Siyempre through the years nakasama ko na ‘yan. Maliit pa siya’ng bata, nag-start na kaming mag-trabaho sa Separada (1994), anak ko siya dun, silang dalawa ni Patrick (Garcia). Tapos sumunod marami pa kaming ginawa, nag-graduate at naging magkapatid sa Vietnam Rose (2005), o ‘di ba? Tapos sumunod nun, habang tumatagal ang panahon, aba magka-agaw na kami sa love (Star Cinema’s A Love Story in 2007)!” she fondly recalled.

But aside from sharing the big and small screens, the two also confide in each other about their personal lives. Angelica once revealed how Maricel told her and Michelle Madrigal that they should never get back with a guy whom they’ve already dumped. This time though, Maricel feels glad that “Tisay,” as she fondly calls Angelica, is not only happily in love but is also doing great as an actress. “Gusto ko i-share sa lahat kasi proud ako sa ’yo, na isa ka’ng bata na napaka-dedicated sa iyong trabaho at nakita ko yung iyong galing at husay. Kasi sabi nga nila kapag nag-umpisa ka nung bata ka nakikita mo yung lahat ng hirap at pagmamahal na kalakip dun sa trabaho na ginagawa natin kaya I’m so proud of you,” she said when asked to give a message to Angelica who recently celebrated her birthday.

As it happens, Maricel is currently working with Angelica’s real-life sweetheart, Derek Ramsay, in Star Cinema’s upcoming movie entitled T2. She has nothing but praises for the dashing actor. “Nag-enjoy ako makatrabaho sina Mica dela Cruz, si Eric Fructoso, at siyempre si Derek Ramsay na gumanap bilang asawa ko sa movie. Hindi kayo manghihinayang sa pelikula namin. Napakaganda po talaga. Pwede ako mag-chin up dito,” she beamed.

Eric Fructoso’s role was supposedly tailor-made for Baron Geisler who was replaced when he failed to show up for the shoot after overstaying in Venice at the time. Did Maricel feel bad when Baron was removed from the cast? The Diamond Star merely replied, “Alam mo si Direk Chito ang nakakaalam ng istorya niyan. Tanungin mo siya, hindi ko kasi alam.” She was quick to agree though that landing a part in T2 would have been a great opportunity for Baron. “Oo, sa Vietnam Rose mahusay yun. Actually mahusay naman silang lahat kasidedicated sila sa trabaho. Alam mo napakaraming beses ko masasabi yun kasi halos lahat ng nakakatrabaho ko, nakikita ko kapag nasa set ay talagang mahal nila yung work nila. Gaya nila Nikki (Gil), Roxanne (Guinoo), Zanjoe (Marudo) na nakasama ko naman dun sa Florinda. Lahat sila ganun,” she stressed.

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