Maricel goes on a fun, insightful museum date with Francine

What happens when two of the brightest stars from different generations of Philippine showbiz join forces for a video content? A totally resplendent sight!

The one and only Diamond Star Maricel Soriano and the “Golden Girl” Francine Diaz recently treated us to an unexpected collaboration that we didn’t see coming! In the latest vlog uploaded in the YouTube channel of Maricel, they gave us a peek on their bonding session at a premier mixed-media art museum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Their museum date commenced with Maricel sharing that it’s her first time to set her foot there, while it’s already the second time of Francine.

During their conversation, it was revealed that both of them do not know how to swim, and sunbathing and dipping their feet in the water are the most that they can do whenever they’re at the beach. In spite of this, both of them were able to try diving. While Maricel really enjoyed her experience as she had the chance to explore under the sea without having to swim, it was traumatic for Francine because she almost drowned when she did it for a scene in a teleserye. Since then, she never wanted to go deeper down the sea.

They continued to roam around the place and took tons pictures with some of the paintings, art installations, and other attractions. The two actresses took it as an opportunity for them to ask one another career-related questions, starting off with Francine quizzing Maricel about the difference in creating films then and now. The Diamond Star recounted how it was completely challenging before since everything were done manually or mano-mano, unlike now that work has been quite easy due to technological advancements.

While resting below gigantic daisies, Maricel asked Francine how work has been for her. She retorted, “Masasabi ko pong mas okay na po. Meron na pong mga nabigay ding sa’kin na projects na isa po ako sa mga lead. Hindi na rin po ako ‘yong mga flashback na roles, hindi narin po madalas ‘yong young. Although wala naman po akong problema kung mag-young pa rin po ako, ang mahalaga po merong trabaho.”

She went on to recall starting her acting career at the age of 6 for a commercial, while she was 8 when she got cast in an episode of Ipaglaban Mo episode. And the rest, as they say, is history.

As Francine disclosed that she’s been enjoying her work, Maricel expressed how happy she is to know that since, for her, it’s what matters the most because it can absolutely reflect on her performance. She also commended her for her compelling portrayal in the controversial primetime series Dirty Linen, which Francine truly appreciated.

“Nakakatuwa nga po [kapag] naririnig ko ‘yong mga ganyang compliments, ‘Nay. Kasi po no’ng ginagawa namin ‘yong ‘Dirty Linen,’ feeling ko, hindi tama ‘yong ginagawa ko sa character ko. Kaya natutuwa po ako kapag ‘yong mga director po namin, sina Direk Onat Diaz [at] si Direk Andoy Ranay, sinasabihan po nila akong ‘very good’ [o] ‘good job’,” she related.

The young actress continued, “Kasi po kahit umeere na kami, may time pa rin po na nagta-taping kami. Tapos nakikita ko po ‘yong mga comment nila (bashers), na hindi ako deserving sa role, ‘yong character ko raw parang echapuwera lang, parang kinakain daw ‘yong acting ko. So, I thought na kahit binibigay ko na ‘yong best ko, hindi pa rin siya enough. Kaya parang iba ang pakiramdam ko kapag sinasabihan ako na ‘ang galing mo sa Dirty Linen’, ‘ang galing mo bilang Chiara’, ‘sana meron kayong Season 2’. ‘Yon po ‘yong nakakatuwa. [Kaya] malapit po sa akin ‘yong show na ‘yon.”

Maricel reminded her not to let herself be easily swayed nor affected by the snide remarks that she would hear from naysayers because we can’t really please everybody and doing so would hinder her from exerting her best. She must never stoop down to their level and should only listen to what her directors say regarding her performance.

Even though it was already her second time to do a mataray role, the first one being in the iWantTFC original miniseries “Bawal Lumabas: The Series,” Francine still found it quite a challenge since she had been accustomed to portraying well-behaved characters. Thus, in order to completely pull off her role well, she didn’t only adjust her acting, but the way she looked and conducted herself, too. Besides, she also watched movies with main characters that has the same persona as Chiara and consulted their directors regarding their opinions on her portrayal.

As their museum date went on, the Diamond Star then quizzed Francine about her current loveteam partner Seth Fedelin. She described him as mabait, and she liked it that he’s conscious with everything that he would say or do, taking into consideration what would his mother think. Although she was not asked, she clarified that they’re not yet an item, much to the amusement of the veteran actress.

Since she used to be in a couple of loveteams in her younger years, too, Maricel fully understands it and told Francine that she still perceives her as a baby, so she doesn’t allow her to be in any romantic relationships yet.

Meanwhile, with regard to her vlogging career, Francine conveyed how much she truly enjoys it ever since she began in 2021. She also mentioned her ongoing project with Seth, which is the weekly iWantTFC original series “Fractured,” as well as her upcoming film with him. That was after Maricel taught her the choreography to her signature dance “Body Dancer.”

When asked about the genres she thinks she would excel the most, Francine said that it would be drama and maybe romantic comedy. She might take delight in the advices that she gets from her senior colleagues, but she admitted getting drained and sick while doing Dirty Linen due to excessive crying that she had to do. Thus, she wishes to take a breather from drama by doing a rom-com for her next project.

Of course, Francine didn’t miss the chance to ask for pieces of advice or tips from the Diamond Star with regard to dramatic acting. According to Maricel, she must keep in mind that she is not her character, so she should not judge her, yet embrace her completely in order for her to establish her character.

And during those times that she would feel not being able to exert emotions anymore, Maricel simply advised her to take a rest, drink plenty of water, and take good care of herself. She must also muster the courage to tell the directors if she’s already drained or tired to cry.

Are you looking forward as us to see Maricel and Francine in one project together, Kapamilya?