Dannyka Manangan

Why Maricel Laxa said yes to acting in 'It’s Okay to Not Be Okay': ‘Masunurin akong ina’

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Kapamilya actress Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan revealed that her children were a big factor as to why she said yes to acting in the Philippine adaptation of <em>It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.</em> During the media conference held earlier this week at the ABS-CBN compound, the celebrity mom recalled the time she told her kids about the opportunity that was given to her.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1RBnlqrH1F/"></a></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1RBnlqrH1F/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A985138.6000000238%2C%22ls%22%3A242050.90000009537%2C%22le%22%3A242544.90000009537%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Maricel plays the role of Olivia, a nurse at OK Hospital. She has been spotted often clashing with her fellow nurse, Eden, portrayed by her good friend, Agot Isidro. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/1/15/maricel-laxa-looks-back-on-life-in-palisades-amidst-la-wildfires-1025"><strong>READ: Maricel Laxa looks back on life in Palisades amidst LA wildfires</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“Actually, hindi ko pa siya napanood noon pero nung kwinento ko sa mga anak ko, sabi nila, ‘Mom you can’t miss that you really have to do it.’ Malaking factor kasi pag sinabi nilang please go ahead and do it––gagawin ko. Masunurin akong ina,” she shared.</p><p>When asked if her children–– Donny, Hannah, Ella, Benj, and Solana–– have begun watching the series, the award-winning actress admitted that they are waiting for more episodes to be able to binge watch it.</p><p>“They have watched the show and they continue to want to wait for it to run some more para isang bagsak–– sabay sabay daw namin papanuorin lahat. Ganun kasi sila pero diyan nga ako ninenerbyos eh kasi sana I did well but it’s okay,” she expressed.</p><p>Maricel added that while there may be pressure on her end, her kids have assured her how proud they are that she took on the role. </p><p>“Kung ano man ano sabihin nila, it’s okay kasi sinunod ko naman yung sinabi nila… They’re so supportive and they’re so proud of what we’ve done,” she added.</p><p>The Kapamilya actress then expressed how refreshing it is to see a series that tackles mental health directly. For her, <em>It’s Okay to Not Be Okay</em> is a conversation starter and raises awareness on the mental health of people. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/26/what-did-anthony-pangilinan-give-maricel-laxa-for-her-55th-birthday-1417"><strong>READ: What did Anthony Pangilinan give Maricel Laxa for her 55th birthday?</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>“Yung personal take ko dito is, at last pinaguusapan yung mga bagay na dati ayaw pag usapan. Para masabi mo talaga na norm na siya na it&#x27;s okay to not be okay, yun lang marami na naheheal na tao,” she maintained. </p><p><em>It’s Okay to Not Be Okay</em> airs on iWant, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Jeepney TV, A2Z, TV5, and Netflix.  </p>

<p>Because of Maricel Laxa's children, we get to see her portray the role of Nurse Olivia. </p>

Because of Maricel Laxa's children, we get to see her portray the role of Nurse Olivia.