Maddox Jewelry Founder and Chairman Charo Cordial could hardly believe she would finally meet — and personally welcome into the Maddox showroom — one of the actresses she had long admired and watched growing up: Philippine cinema’s Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano.
It was truly a moment of “The Diamond Star meets the Diamond Queen.”
“Nang makita po kita sa baba, I’m so happy. Isa po ito sa katuparan ng mga pangarap ko. Kasi, noong bata nga po ako, napapanood ko lang kayo.”
“God is good,” Maricel replied with a smile.
Curious, Charo asked the veteran actress how she first heard about Maddox Jewelry.
“Naku, ang dami ko kayang taong naririnig na pumunta ka do’n, maganda do’n. Sa ’yo nga, Maddox!”
Maricel shared that one of the people who encouraged her to visit was her close friend, actor-comedian Roderick Paulate.
The actress also joked that the name “Maddox” sounded like that of a cartoon character, prompting Charo to explain that the brand was actually named after her son.
The two women also discovered they had something in common beyond their love for jewelry. Like Charo, Maricel revealed that she had also lost diamonds in the past — with a household helper allegedly responsible, a story familiar to many jewelry owners.
Maricel openly admitted that she has always loved diamonds.
Their conversation later turned more personal as Maricel spoke about the serious spine condition she once endured. She even demonstrated how she used to walk during the worst of her illness.
“Lolang-lola!”
According to the actress, arthritis had spread throughout her spine up to her neck. She eventually sought treatment in Singapore.
“Nag-meeting muna kami ng doctor sa bahay. Actually, hindi siya surgery, it’s a procedure. Isang araw lang, ang tawag disco plastic. May apat o walo yata na turok ng karayom, robotics ang.
“Paggising ko, nakatihaya ako. Tapos sabi, upo ka. Upo naman ako. Lakad ka, so lakad naman ako. Walang masakit ha. Wala talaga akong nararamdamang pain. Tapos sabi, pwede ka ng umuwi. Ha? Ganu’n lang, one day lang ang procedure.”
After overcoming the ordeal, Maricel shared an important reminder: people should take care of their bodies and never ignore pain or physical warning signs because the consequences can become far more serious later on.
Of course, no conversation about Maricel Soriano would be complete without addressing her long-standing reputation for being “mataray” in the entertainment industry. Charo candidly asked her about it.
“mataray ka raw na artista, Nay?”
“Mataray ba?,” Maricel answered playfully, before Charo quickly responded that she did not believe it herself.
“Ano ba ang ibig sabihin sa inyo ng matatay? Sa audience, halimbawa sa school, may bagong bag. wow ang taray! Gano’n ang ibig sabihin sa kanila. Pero noong araw hindi gano’n. Mataray ka, para yung mga bata, mag-behave. Magsi-upo kayo d’yan, gano’n.
“Binabakla ko lang kasi, natatakot sila. Malakas kasi ang boses ko, ’di ba? Pero hindi, ang normal ko, ito lang ’yon.”
The lighthearted exchange gave fans a glimpse of the softer, humorous side of the award-winning actress — far from the intimidating image often associated with her.
Fans can catch more of their fun and candid conversation on the official Facebook page of Maddox Jewelry, as well as on YouTube through Maddox Jewelry and on TikTok via Maddox.
