Maricel Soriano

Maricel Soriano (born Maria Cecilia Dador Soriano on February 25, 1965), also known as The Diamond Star, is a critically acclaimed Filipina film and television actress. She has starred in many films covering different genres including comedy, fantasy (Inday series), horror, suspense, action, romance and drama. She has appeared in hundreds of films and has scored a number of blockbuster hits. As well as acting, Soriano is also a singer and has recorded several songs including the theme song of her movie Oh My Mama in 1981. In 1987, she performed a sold out concert at the Araneta Coliseum; the show titled "Hello, Hello Maricel". Soriano started acting at the age of six in the 1971 film My Heart Belongs to Daddy with Tirso Cruz III and fellow child actress Snooky Serna. Soriano developed her comic skills under the aegis of the late Philippine King of Comedy, Dolphy and the late Nida Blanca, one of the country's top caliber actors, both of whom she considered as second parents. In the 1980s, she was launched to full stardom as one of the Regal Babies along with Snooky Serna, Dina Bonnevie, Gabby Concepcion, Albert Martinez, Alfie Anido, Jimi Melendez, and her love team partner, William Martinez. Her 1985 film Hinugot sa Langit, produced by Regal films and directed by national artist Ishmael Bernal, is now considered as one of the classics of Philippine cinema. Dubbed the 'Diamond Star' in the Philippine entertainment industry, she is the third most awarded Philippine film actress of all time and more successful than Sharon Cuneta with 46 movie and television awards (including Best Child Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Achiever Award as actress/producer, Best Performer and Best Actress) from various award-giving bodies such as FAMAS, PMPC, Empress, FAP, YCC, Pasado, GMMSFP, MMFF, Manila, Iloilo and Cinemanila Film Festivals. She was also known as 'Taray Queen' for her feisty roles in movies.