MANILA, Philippines – After a long break, Maricel Soriano makes a return to television via The General’s Daughter, which will air beginning January 21.

At the press conference of the show on Tuesday, January 15, Maricel was warmly welcomed by the press and her fans. The actress said that aside from lead star Angel Locsin, it was the story that made the “Diamond Star” accept the role.

“It was the story,” she said, later pointing to Dreamscape’s Biboy Arboleda who approached her about the project. “Nung nakita ko yung istorya, nagustuhan ko agad.” (When I saw the story, I immediately loved it.)

In the show, Maricel plays Isabelle, who gives refuge to Angel’s character Rhian Bonifacio, a lieutenant who gets shot during a mission. Arjo Atayde takes on the role of Elai, Isabelle’s son who happens to be a special child.

During the press conference, she had nothing but praise for the cast.

“I am very impressed with Arjo. Because autistic kasi siya dito (his character here has autism),” she said of his character Elai.

She added: “Bihira ako makatrabaho ng napakamahusay, ‘yung talagang saludo ako…pero ang point ko lang, mahusay siya na sobra akong tinatablan pag-umaarte.” (It’s rare that I work with someone who’s really good at his craft, the kind of person I’d salute to. But the point is, he’s so good and I get affected when he acts.)

She also did not hide her admiration for her other co-stars such as JC de Vera, whom she earlier worked with in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya and Ronnie Alonte, whom she kept teasing over his real status with Loisa Andalio.

It was clear during the press conference that Maricel was happy with the cast. At one point, she and actor Tirso Cruz III traded jokes with each other, recalling the roles they did together. Maricel even called him “Lolo Pippo.”

In response, Tirso, who plays the role of Santiago Guerrero in the show said: “Full cycle. Naging anak ko, naging kapatid ko, naging asawa ko.” (She’s played my daughter, my sister, my wife.)

Aside from Angel, Maricel, Arjo,  Loisa, Ronnie and Tirso, The General’s Daughter also stars Eula Valdez, JC de Vera, Janice de Belen, Paulo Avelino, and Albert Martinez. – Rappler.com