Young star Janella Salvador has been vocal in saying that she felt intimidated by Diamond Maricel Soriano from the moment she found out that they were filming a movie together, The Heiress, produced by Regal Entertainment, Inc.
Being an institution in the showbiz industry, it does not come as a surprise that younger actors get intimidated by Maricel.
But Janella later found out that some impressions are not true, which was the case with Maricel in their upcoming horror flick.
“I felt so pressured,” admits Janella about working with the Diamond Star.
“Of course, just the thought that I would be working with her already made me feel nervous. So, when I saw her, I told Tita Beth, my handler, ‘Tita, di ko alam kung paano ko pakikibagayan. Nahihiya ako kasi na-starstruck ako.’
“But, when I started talking to her, she’s very warm, then I learned a lot from her because ang dami na din niyang pinagdaanan, lalo na in terms of acting din.
For her part, Maricel reveals that it was her who broke the ice between her and Janella.
She says that it was not new to her that younger actors feel intimidated by her, which is why she takes the initiative to reach out.
She explains, “I’m the one who approaches them. I understand that they’re young, I kind of feel that they’re a bit intimidated because of the generation gap.”
The seasoned actress also relates how she made Janella be comfortable around her.
“I made her feel relaxed. Kinuwentuhan ko muna nang kinuwentuhan. Pinatawa ko muna nang pinatawa, o, di ba? Then I told her, ‘O, ano, at ease na, ha, wala nang problema.’”
After that, Maricel continues that Janella became more comfortable with her and they even had talks about personal stuff.
However, Maricel says she prefers to keep their private talks private.
“Alam mo kasi ako, I don’t ask personal questions when it comes sa mga bata, kasi they will be the ones to tell you kung ano nararamdaman nila. Hinahayaan ko siya. Their secret is safe with me,” says Maricel.
The veteran actress also adds that while younger actors may feel intimidated by her, she prefers that their shooting be at ease.
“Of course, ‘di ba, parang gusto ko kasi maging at ease sila, yung mag-enjoy lang kami sa shooting. I want them to enjoy and have fun on the set.”
The Heiress tells the story of Luna, a powerful “mambabarang” (demon sorceress) who’d ruthlessly punish or kill anyone who would steal from her the love and attention of her niece Guia (Janella), including her biological Mother, Carmen (Sunshine Cruz), and her boyfriend, Renz (McCoy de Leon).
Unbeknownst to Guia, she is the next heiress, and the only one who can stop the evil spirit Malalarang that controls Luna.
But at the same time, since she is the heir, Guia is also capable of inheriting the powers of her aunt and can also be a threat to those who will belittle her.
The movie boasts a very well thought of story and promises to exceed in visuals and production value, which are evident in the previous movies of Regal Entertainment, Inc. such as Shake Rattle and Roll franchise movies, Haunted Mansion (MMFF2016) andHaunted Forest (MMFF2017).
The film is directed by Frasco Mortiz, who proved his mettle in horror genre with his exceptional work in Pagpag, which was an MMFF blockbuster in 2013.
The Heiress is now in cinemas nationwide and is graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board and R13 by the MTRCB.
