This is an excerpt from the June 2026 Special Issue. Subscribe to MEGA Digital Access to read the full story.
In film, you have the stars and leading actresses who take center stage on the screen. Then, there are legends whose name alone brings to mind an iconic career that helped define cinema itself. Such is the case for Maricel Soriano. Her nearly six-decade-long career, which began in the 1970s, is built on critical and commercial achievements that established her legacy as a cinematic force whose versatility and approach to her craft made her stand out from the rest. No matter the story, format, or genre, Soriano has consistently delivered as the multifaceted performer she is.
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Looking back on her storied legacy, Soriano points to her role in Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit as a career highlight and pivotal moment that showcased a new side of her acting through her kontrabida portrayal of Clarissa and how she can lead commercially successful projects without being tied to a love team.
“Ang mahirap noon, ‘yung kung wala ka sa loveteam. Kasi you have to prove talaga yourself. So, ‘yun ‘yung part ng career ko na kinabahan ako, na paano kung hindi nila tanggapin, paano kung hindi nila magustuhan,” the actress shares. Having witnessed firsthand the different eras of the Philippine film industry as a young woman until now, Soriano transformed shifting tastes into her strength and adapted to the changing times.
As one of the most celebrated Filipino actresses of all time, Soriano could easily rest on her laurels. But the Diamond Star is never one to approach acting half-heartedly. For her, every performance will always deserve a full effort. “When I work, I really work. Dahil ‘pag umaarte ka, you give your all. You don’t give your 50%. Dapat talaga, ‘pag may gagawin ka, whether it’s comedy or drama, you have to give it your all. Kasi, lalo na ngayon, hindi mo na puwedeng bolahin ang mga tao.”
Decades later, the silver screen icon remains an influential, commanding, and active force in cinema. At this stage of her career, Soriano approaches her work with intentionality, understanding that what resonates with audiences today requires well-crafted narratives and multidimensional characters. “I really choose na. Kasi gusto ko may relevance sa tao yung gagawin ko,” she says on the projects she’s joined over the past few years. “Kaya, para sa akin, gusto ko ’yung tatamaan mo ako.”
Photographed by JERICK SANCHEZ. Creative Direction by PATRICK TY. Art Direction by CLARE MAGNO and BRIE VENTURA. Beauty Direction by AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON assisted by MARA GO. Sittings Editor PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO and TREISHA ROVERO. Produced by THESSMAR LECTURA. Image Retouching by JONES PALTENG. Hair by ANGIE ABELLANA. Makeup by DARWIN SABLAYAN. Styled by KRISSIE TERUEL. Production Design by ARJ MADARANG of JAGGER STUDIOS. Photography Assistants KARL RIMANDO, BUDDY REYES, DAVE ORPILLA, and RYAN ALBANO
Frequently Asked Questions
Maricel Soriano’s career in Philippine cinema spans nearly six decades, beginning in the 1970s. She has built a body of work across comedy, drama, and kontrabida roles, establishing her as one of the most enduring and versatile actresses in Filipino film history.
Soriano played Clarissa, a kontrabida character, in Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit. She considers it a career-defining project because it demonstrated her dramatic range and proved she could lead commercially successful films outside the structure of a traditional Filipino love team.
Maricel Soriano holds the title Diamond Star, a designation that reflects her standing as one of the Philippines’ most celebrated and commercially successful actresses. The title acknowledges her decades-long career, box office performance, and critical recognition across multiple eras of Philippine cinema.
At this stage of her career, Soriano takes a deliberate and selective approach to projects. She prioritizes narratives with relevance and emotional resonance, looking for roles and stories that she feels will meaningfully connect with contemporary Filipino audiences rather than accepting projects indiscriminately.
Soriano attributes her longevity to consistent full commitment to every performance, regardless of genre, and her ability to adapt to shifting audience tastes across multiple decades. She has moved through different eras of Philippine cinema by treating each role as worthy of her complete effort.
