Flonique Guimary

Maricel Soriano approves of Fyang Smith as her heir apparent

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After being announced as one of the lead stars of Regal Films’ official Metro Manila Film Festival entry this year, <em>Haunted Carnival</em>, Diamond Star Maricel Soriano could not contain her excitement even as shooting has not yet began for her latest project. It has her acting alongside a talented ensemble cast that includes John Arcilla, Julia Barretto, James Reid, and Fyang Smith.  </p><div><br/></div><p>“Hindi ko pa nabasa yung script pero nakita ko agad, ang dami mo kasing puwedeng gawin sa karnabal na nakakatakot. Ang dami. Sigurado ako magiging maganda ito!” she shared during the <em>Haunted Carnival </em>cast reveal event held last July 26 at the Valencia Events Place in Quezon City. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/7/18/5-times-maricel-soriano-mothered-in-the-movies-1740" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: 5 times Maricel Soriano ‘mothered’ in the movies!</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbQGxSZGoQE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A10154939.399999976%2C%22ls%22%3A9365498.5%2C%22le%22%3A9365810%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="777" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;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></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked how she feels about Fyang Smith being eyed as her heir apparent in showbiz and working with her for the first time in a project, Maricel admitted being impressed with the former <em>Pinoy Big Brother</em> Big Winner after guesting her in her vlog earlier this year. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Na-excite ako kasi na-guest ko na siya sa vlog ko. Pinaarte ko itong batang ito. Sabi ko, ‘Ah, ang husay husay mo naman pala!’ Tuwang tuwa talaga ako sa kanya kasi ang galing galing niya.’ Sabi ko, ‘Anak, ang husay, husay mo!’ Tapos nung malaman ko na ang makakasama ko dito ay siya at si Julia (Barretto), ay sabi ko, ang gaganda ng mga kasama ko at saka mga ka-height ko lang sila (laughs). Kasi ako ma-i-intimidate pag matangkad,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbQBGUHjyOM/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A10155619.100000024%2C%22ls%22%3A9365498.5%2C%22le%22%3A9365810%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="920" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;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></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DafH4lQj6Vc/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A10181918.899999976%2C%22ls%22%3A9365498.5%2C%22le%22%3A9365810%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="920" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;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="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Although Maricel is happy and supportive of Fyang being compared to her, she still wanted to remind her <em>Haunted Carnival</em> co-star about the importance of carving her own name in showbiz. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Nakakataba ng puso yan. Pero ang gusto ko i-advise sa kanya, ‘Alam mo anak, you’re your own person. Pag dumating yung tamang pagkakataon, maipapakita mo sa kanila yung Fyang, hindi ako, di ba? Kasi gusto ko ikaw. Dahil dapat ikaw ang makita nila. I want them to see you — kung gaano kahaba na ang narating mo, kung gaano kataas na ang naabot mo,” she said. </p><div><br/></div><p><em>Haunted Carnival</em> stars Maricel Soriano, John Arcilla, Julia Baretto, James Reid, Fyang Smith, RK Bagatsing, Ronnie Alonte, Charlie Fleming and Selyn David.</p>

<p>Haunted Carnival star Maricel Soriano shares her advice for co-star Fyang Smith as they get ready to work together on the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Haunted Carnival later this year.</p>

Haunted Carnival star Maricel Soriano shares her advice for co-star Fyang Smith as they get ready to work together on the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Haunted Carnival later this year.

Maricel Soriano approves of Fyang Smith as her heir apparent:‘Nakakataba ng puso yan!’

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Maricel Soriano approves of Fyang Smith as her heir apparent:‘Nakakataba ng puso yan!’

Rhea Manila Santos,

Push Team

Published July 27, 2026 11:31 AM PHT

Read More:

Haunted Carnival

Maricel Soriano

Fyang Smith

2026 MMFF

Regal Entertainment

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