Maria Cecilia Dador Soriano, also known as "The Diamond Star", was born on February 25, 1965, and is a Filipina actress renowned for her remarkable versatility and numerous award-winning performances. She is regarded as the third most awarded female actress in the Philippines, trailing behind only Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.
Soriano's showbiz career began as a child star in 1971, when she appeared as the kid sister of Tirso Cruz III in the film "My Heart Belongs to Daddy". Her brief yet impactful cameo role showcased her impressive range of talents, including singing, dancing, and acting. Throughout the early 1970s, she appeared in various films, such as "Dalawang Mukha ng Tagumpay", "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", "Lady Luck", "Captain Barbell Boom!", and was credited as Maricel.
In 1974, Soriano won the best child actress award at the 9th Manila Film Festival for her role as the child of Boots Anson Roa and Dante Rivero. The following year, she took home another best child actress trophy at the Iloilo Film Festival for her performance in the movie "John en Marsha". Her early success led to her being cast as Shirley Puruntong, the strong-willed and funny daughter of John and Marsha Puruntung, in the hit sitcom "John en Marsha", which ran from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Soriano's portrayal of Jacklyn Pusit, a feisty newscaster, in the 1978 film "Kaluskos Musmos" further showcased her acting abilities. In 1980, she was offered the lead role in the film "Katorse", but turned it down due to her inexperience with daring roles. Instead, she starred in "Underage", which marked her full-fledged stardom and highlighted her thespian talent and charisma.
Her on-screen partnership with William Martinez was launched in the hit movie "Oh My Mama" in 1981, solidifying her status as one of the top actresses of the 1980s and 1990s. Regal Films' CEO, Lily Monteverde, even quipped that "Regal without Maricel is nothing", a testament to Soriano's enduring impact on the film industry.
