Maricel Soriano is a Filipino actress who has appeared extensively in film and television. She began a career as a child actress, debuting in the 1971 film titled My Heart Belongs to Daddy, appearing alongside Tirso Cruz III. She went on to perform several roles in the 1970s, gaining her first acting award at the 9th Manila Tagalog Film Festival as "Best Child Actress" for her role in Alaala Mo, Daigdig Ko (1973) and the longest running Philippine sitcom John en Marsha (1973-1991), where she played the role of Shirley Puruntong. A supporting role in the film Yakuza Contract (1978) proved to be a breakthrough for Soriano; she received her first FAMAS Award nomination for it at age 14. In 1980, she was introduced as one of the first Regal Babies and launched a love team tandem with William Martinez the following year. They appeared in several movies together including Galawgaw (1982), Summer Holiday (1982), To Mama With Love (1983), Teenage Marriage (1984), Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday (1984), and Inday Bote (1985).
The following years saw Soriano as a prominent figure in television. She starred in her own variety shows Maria! Maria! (1986) and Maricel Live! (1986), showcasing skills in singing, dancing, and hosting, establishing herself as a multi-faceted performer. She also headlined two long-time drama anthologies on ABS-CBN; Maricel Regal Drama Special (1987-1990) and The Maricel Drama Special (1990-1997). She achieved wider recognition from critics and award-giving bodies as a dramatic actress after doing a slew of sitcoms and comedy films. She received fourteen "Best Actress" nominations at the FAMAS Awards, winning two for her performances in Dahas (1995) and Nasaan ang Puso (1997). Among her other notable award-winning films includes the 1983 film Saan Darating Ang Umaga (for which she won her first FAMAS Award), Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (1984), Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa (1987), Babaeng Hampaslupa (1988), Dinampot Ka Lang sa Putik (1991), Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal (1992), Separada (1994), Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin (1995), Ama, Ina, Anak (1996), Soltera (1999), Abot-Kamay ang Pangarap (1996), Abandonada (2000), Inang Yaya (2006) and A Love Story (2007). Soriano's films released since 2000 have collectively earned ₱950 million, making her one of the highest grossing Filipino box office stars this century.
Film +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released 1970s + Year Title Role Notes 1971 My Heart Belongs to Daddy 1973 Dalawang Mukha ng Tagumpay Cofradia Young Cofradia Captain Barbell Boom! 1974 Ala-ala Mo, Daigdig Ko! John & Marsha Shirley Puruntong 1975 Lady Luck Die Stunde Der Tödlichen Fäuste (Da du xiao) John & Marsha sa Amerika (Part Two) Shirley Puruntong Son of Fung Ku 1976 Kaliwa't Kanan ...Sakit ng Katawan 1977 Omeng Satanasia Bing Sgt. Dalagon John and Marsha '77 Shirley Puruntong 1978 Yakuza Contract 1979 Dancing Master Elizabeth
1980s + Year Title Role Notes 1980Dolphy's AngelsGuestJohn & Marsha '80Shirley PuruntongUnderageCecilia 1981Bihagin: Bilibid BoysGuestAge Doesn't MatterBengbengOh, My Mama!Maricel/Mama CelEstong BalisongPablingSummer LoveDianna 1982 School Girls My Heart Belongs to Daddy Ditas Galawgaw Olga Mother Dear Guia Hindi Kita Malimot Celia Legarda No Other Love Dancing Masters 2: Macao Connection Elizabeth Story of Three Loves Silvestra " Bes" Batungbakal Boystown Laida I Love You, I Hate You Santa Claus Is Coming to Town! 1983Ang Boyfriend Kong KanoParang Kailan LangDa Best of John & Marsha sa PelikulaShirley PuruntongTo Mama with LoveSabrinaPepe en PilarPilarSaan Darating ang Umaga?Shayne RodrigoSummer HolidayDaddy Knows BestMinsan, May Isang InaNoemi1984Da Best of John & Marsha sa Pelikula Part IIShirley PuruntongDaddy's Little DarlingsHoneyKaya Kong Abutin ang LangitClarisse/ClarissaTeenage MarriageMirriam NievaAnak ni Waray vs Anak ni BidayAmy1985Ride On BabyJohn & Marsha '85 (Sa Probinsiya)Shirley PuruntongHinugot sa LangitCarmen CastroPahiram ng LigayaJosephine ReyesInday BoteInday VargasI Have Three HandsBridgetMga Kuwento ni Lola BasyangCathy Segment "Zombies"1986Yesterday Today & TomorrowAnnaJohn & Marsha '86: TNT sa AmerikaShirley PuruntongWhen I Fall in LoveCarolinaThe GraduatesLorHorsey-Horsey, Tigidig-TigidigBelindaSuper Islaw and the Flying KidsInday Inday sa BalitawInday/Maria LuisaBatang QuiapoMariaPayasoGuest1987Jack en Poy, Hale-hale Hoy!JackMaria Went to TownMaria / Marie Pasoksok & Mary del CastilloPinulot Ka Lang sa LupaAngeli 1988 Taray at Teroy Estela "Taray" Caluglog Stupid Cupid Segment "Horror Honeymoon" Super Inday and the Golden Bibe Super Inday/Inday Sa Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas Carmela Samaniego/Mary Rose Babaing Hampaslupa Remedios 1989Gorio en TeklaGorio/GregoryMga Kuwento ng Pag-ibigChayong/Monique Segment "Ginto't Pilak Namumulaklak"Kung Maibabalik Ko LangDonna
1990s + Year Title Role Notes 1991John en Marsha Ngayon '91Shirley PuruntongDinampot Ka Lang sa PutikMalou 1992Leon at TigreAliceIkaw Pa Lang ang MinahalAdela SevillaDobol DribolEstefan1993Ligaw-ligawan, Bahay-bahayan, Kasal-kasalanPaquitaManchichiritchitDorie1994Minsan Lang Kita IibiginTerry delos ReyesNagkataon NagkatagpoJessieVampiraPazSeparadaMelissa Neri1995Pustahan Tayo Mahal Mo AkoCristyIkaw Pa... Eh Love KitaKarina RanchesDahasLuisa1996Ang Tange Kong Pag-ibigAmanda MoranInagaw Mo ang Lahat sa AkinJacintaAma, Ina, AnakMarilenKung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin!Salvacion "Sally"Abot-Kamay Ang PangarapElena1997Sabi Mo Mahal Mo Ako Wala ng BawianRoselleMinsan Lamang MagmamahalMariettaKahit Minsan LangGuest (Gloria)Nasaan ang PusoJoy1998Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo!DorisSige, Subukan MoPanyangTulak ng Bibig Kabig ng DibdibMariel1999SolteraSandraSa Piling ng AswangMarines Villanueva
2000s + Year Title Role Notes 2000AbandonadaGemmaTunay na MahalCasilda2001MilaMila Cabangon2002Mano PoVera Go2003FilipinasYolanda Filipinas2004I Will Survive!Cynthia2006NumbalikdiwaPortia/KarissaInang YayaNorma2007Paraiso: Tatlong Kuwento ng Pag-asaJocelynA Love StoryJoanna VillanuevaBahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po!Eden Manahan2009T2ClaireLast Supper No. 3Guest
2010s + Year Title Role Notes 2011Yesterday, Today, TomorrowMariel Montes2012D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh!Guest2013MomzillasClara del ValleBekikang: Ang Nanay Kong BekiCameoGirl, Boy, Bakla, TomboyPia Jackstone Official Entry for the 39th Metro Manila Film Festival2016Lumayo Ka Nga Sa AkinCora Catacutan2018My 2 MommiesTita Baby Castillo2019The HeiressAuntie Luna
2020s + Year Title Role Notes 2023In His Mother's EyesLucy Main role TBARe-Live: A Tale of an American Island CheerleaderThelma 2025First LightLindaMeet, Greet & Bye Baby Lopez-Facundo Main role
Television +Key Denotes shows that have not yet been aired + Year Title Role Notes 1972Bahay-bahayanTessieSupport Role 1973John en MarshaShirley PuruntongSupport Role 1978Kaluskos MusmosJacklyn PusitSupport Role 1979Maria MorenaMariaMain Role 1981Lovingly Yours, HelenHerselfEpisode Guest Kuskos BalungosAbigailSupport Role 1982Two Plus TwoMaricel Alyas "George"Main Role 1985Eat Bulaga!HostI Am What I Am 1986 Maricel Live! Maria! Maria! Let's Go Crazy with Jack and Joey Jack Main role 1987 Maricel Regal Drama Special Various roles Lead role 1990 The Maricel Drama Special 1997 Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis Mary Magtanggol Main Role 2001 Mary D' Potter Mary Panyurutan Lead role 2002 Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis Mary Magtanggol Main Role 2003 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sing-along Bar Ai-Ai delas Alas Episode guest 2005–2006 Vietnam Rose Carina Mojica dela Cerna / Nguyễn Đặng Thiêm Yểu Lead role 2006 John and Shirley Shirley Puruntong-Ramirez 2007 Wowowee Guest host 2009 Sineserye Presents: Florinda Florinda Arguelles Lead Role 2010 5 Star Special Presents: Maricel Soriano Various roles Pilyang Kerubin Regina Special Participation 2013 Toda Max Maria Guest role 2014 Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real Millet Gonzales-Real Main Role 2017 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Baso Gregoria "Guily" Espinosa Supporting role 2019 The General's Daughter Isabelle "Nanang Sabel" Sarmiento Support Role 2020–2021 Ang sa Iyo ay Akin Lucinda "Lucing" Dela Cruz-Pineda 2022 Quizon CT Herself Guest Role 2023 Pira-Pirasong Paraiso Amanda Barrameda (Season 2) Support Role2023-2024Linlang (The Teleserye Version) Amelia Contreras-Lualhati Main Role 2023 Drag Race Philippines Herself Guest judge; Episode: "Dramarama Mama!" 2024 3-in-1 Irish Liberica Main role Lavender Fields Aster Fields Main role 2025 It's Showtime Guest
See also List of awards and nominations received by Maricel Soriano
References
External links