With an illustrious acting career spanning more than five decades in showbiz, Maricel Soriano is a definite stand out among actresses not just in her generation. Her distinct and intimidating acting style even earned her the nickname "Taray Queen" in the industry.

But in her latest show Lavender Fields, Maricel admitted she was drawn to her character’s relaxed nature which will not have the usual "sampalan" scenes unlike in her previous projects.

“Dito hindi ganun. Iba naman. Kaya gusto ko ito eh. Kasi iba. Happing happy ako kasi kasama ko si Jodi (Sta. Maria) at talagang napakagaling niya dito. Sobra talaga siyang galing dito kaya kailangan niyo panuorin,” she shared. 

WATCH: Maricel Soriano shares why she can’t bid goodbye to showbiz | PUSH TV

In the latest Dreamscape Entertainment series, Maricel plays the role of Aster Fields, who is both mentor and mother figure to Lavender, played by Jodi. “Ang difference ng character ko dito at ni Jodi is yung anak ko nawawala. Si Jodi naghahanap ng nawawala din niyang anak. Kaya nakita ko rin sa kanya si Marigold (who plays her daughter). 

"Siyempre ni-ne-nerbiyos kami pero nung nakita namin reaction ng mga fans and friends, natuwa kami kasi yung pinaghirapan namin hindi nabalewala. Lalo na yung role ni Jodi dito dahil may mga action scenes ang anak ko dito, ang galing galing niya! Kaya ang sarap din niya talaga panuorin,” she added.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: What makes Maricel Soriano a ‘Diamond Star’?

Known for her no nonsense personality off-camera, the Lavender Fields actress shared how she deals with people who are not genuine to her.

“Nakakasama ng loob pag alam mong patuloy ka niyang kinakausap na kaplastikan naman lahat di ba? Parang gusto mo siyang tadyakan. Gusto ko (laughs). Pero walang ganun na nangyari. Relax lang ako (laughs). Pagka ganun kasi, ang hirap. Kahit siguro kayo ang nasa sitwasyon na ito pinupuri kayo ng pinupuri pero hindi naman pala siya totoo, na pagdating sa ibang tao kung anu-ano sinasabi against you and all of that. Hindi kasi dapat ganun. Dapat kapag nakikipag kapwa tao ka, nakikipagkapwa tao ka sa tao. Hindi ba? Pero kung pina-plastic ka, eh sana umalis na lang sa harap mo,” she explained.

In another interview with PUSH, the Diamond Star shared more about her role, “Hindi siya judgmental. Willing siyang makinig,” she said of her character. 

“Pinakinggan niya [‘yung character ni] Jodi. Kahit ganoon ‘yung itsura niya na parang nakakatakot  kasi sobrang bugbog sarado siya, sinabi niya na ‘tutulungan kita’. Tinotoo niya lahat ‘yun. Hanggang sa ginroom niya ng magandang-maganda si Jodi. Ang saya-saya ng set namin. Masayang-masaya kami talaga. Sobra nga e. Maaga call time namin. Walang mamaldita doon. Walang gano'n. Pare-pareho kaming lahat.  Kaya, kumbaga parang, ‘Oh, oh, classmate, andito ka pala.’ Yung gano’n.”

While promoting her series Pira-Pirasong Paraiso last year, Maricel was asked about why other actors consider it a good acting opportunity to be on the receiving end of her slap.

“Tawang-tawang ako diyan sa sampal na ‘yan. Lahat ng tao gusto magpasampal sa akin, ano ba ‘yun. Sabi ko, bakit naman puro sampal ang nakikita niyo sa akin? Huwag naman ganyan. Nakakasakit yan, ‘di ba? Kaya nagkakaganoon yun dahil sa story at nagiging ganoon ‘yung reaction ng ka-eksena ko at saka ako dahil may pinanggalingang story yun. May pinanggalingan kwento, kaya nag-build up. So ‘pag galit na galit ka na, do’n mo palang uumpisahan ‘yung atake mo. Doon ka palang magda-dialogue, doon mo palang susumbatan, doon mo palang sasabihin lahat. Tapos saka ka mananakit. Kaya mahirap ‘yun.”