Maria Cecilia "Maricel" Ilanan Laxa-Pangilinan (born February 25, 1970) is a Filipino actress. She won Best Supporting Actress awards in the 1992 FAMAS Awards and Star Awards for her role in the 1992 film Iisa Pa Lamang.
For most of her career in the 1990s, she did films with Regal Films and two films with Star Cinema. She appeared in some television series such as Marinella (1999–2001) and Ysabella in 2007. In 2020-2021 she resumed acting in TV5 and portrayed Faith Aguinaldo in the drama Paano ang Pasko and Paano Ang Pangako (Second Season) in 2021. In 2022, Laxa returned to GMA Network to portray Valerie Lim in Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune and Gemma Monastrial in Apoy sa Langit. She transferred to ABS-CBN as she starred in the action drama, The Iron Heart. In 2024, she returned to the GMA Network to star in the legal drama series, Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law.
Education Laxa attended primary school at St. Theresa's College in Quezon City, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa, and Assumption Antipolo. She spent her teenage years in the United States, where she attended Palisades Charter High School (then known as Pali High School) in Los Angeles, California.. Maricel graduated with a degree of B.S. Social Sciences at the University of the Philippines Manila and earned her Master's Degree in Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She has a doctorate degree in Theology from the College for Global Deployment in Washington State as well.
Personal life Laxa is married to Anthony Pangilinan and the couple has five children namely Ella, Donny (also an actor), Hannah, Benjamin and Solana. Ella married Enrique Lhuillier Miranda in Puerto Real Gardens, Intramuros on December 6, 2023.. According to UPLB, Maricel is a columnist and motivational speaker on women’s empowerment, parenting, and spiritual development. Alongside her husband, she co-founded the “Intentional Parenting” advocacy, a program that equips Filipino families with practical tools to build strong, values-based homes.
Filmography Film Long Ranger and Tonton (Shooting Stars of the West) (1989) Elvis and James: The Living Legends! (Buhay Pa... Mukhang Alamat Na!) (1989) Last 2 Minutes (1989) Ganda Babae, Ganda Lalake (1990) Makiusap Ka sa Diyos (1991) Uubusin Ko ang Lahi Mo (1991) Banana Split (Basta Driver Sweet Lover) (1991) Buburahin Kita sa Mundo (1991) – Donna Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin (1992) Dudurugin Kita ng Bala Ko (1992) Iisa Pa Lamang (1992) Alyas Boy Kano (1992) Hindi Kita Malilimutan (1993) – Jocelyn Makati Ave.: Office Girls (1993) Ang Ika-Labing Isang Utos: Mahalin Mo Asawa Mo (1994) Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy (1995) Run Barbi Run (1995) Minsan Lamang Magmamahal (1997) Magic Kingdom: Ang Alamat ng Damortis (1997) Magkaibigan (2008) Litsonero (2009) My Lady Boss (2013) Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019) Magikland (2020)
1521 (2023) – Ahmani GG: Good Game (2024) – Iya
Television / Digital series +YearTitleRole(s)1990–1997GMA SupershowHerself - Host1995–1996Kadenang KristalAileen1998Mula sa PusoAtty. Elaine Regalado1999MarinellaJessica2005–2006Mga Anghel na Walang LangitDolores "Loleng" Bello2007YsabellaYoung Doña Victoria2010Kokey at AkoDianne Reyes2020Paano ang Pasko?Faith Aguinaldo2021Paano ang Pangako?Daddy's GurlMarita2022Mano Po Legacy: The Family FortuneValerie Lim / Rosemarie LimApoy sa LangitGemma Monastrial / Gemma Hidalgo2022–2023The Iron HeartAtty. Helen Gomez 2023 Can't Buy Me Love Young Catherine 2024Open 24/7Margarita Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law Meredith "Mer" Magbanua- Simmons2025It's Okay to Not Be OkayOlivia Jose
Awards Laxa has won one FAMAS Award, one Gawad Urian Award, and one Star Award.
Group Year Award Result FAMAS Awards (1993) Best Supporting Actress Iisa pa Lamang PMPC Star Awards for TV 1993 Best Comedy Actress A.T.M. Gawad Urian Awards (1993) Best Actress Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin Best Supporting Actress Iisa Pa Lamang (1998) Best Supporting Actress Minsan Lamang Magmahal Tied with Elizabeth Oropesa. Star Awards (1998) Supporting Actress of the Year Minsan Lamang Magmahal
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