ALMOST all her life, Maricel Soriano has been subsisting on a harried lifestyle. There's not much choice if you literally grew up in the dog-eat-dog world of show business, where work doesn't follow a regular time schedule and life is viewed as normal if it's turned upside down.

Soriano was local television's darling with wonderful exposure in "Kaluskos Musmos" and "John en Marsha." She conquered the big screen when she formed part of Lily Monteverde's most successful batch of Regal Babies, and graduated into a serious actress as soon as she was handled by some of the country's better directors.

But years of fast-paced existence have taught Soriano slow down so she can catch up on things that truly matter. "I guess that everyone goes through certain phases so we can be more prepared and ready for the next. I'd like to think that my experiences, including the bitter ones, have transformed me into a stronger woman," she says with a faint smile.

Sshe's referring to a whole gamut of personal troubles which include family disputes, failed relationships, career fluctuations and unfulfilled dreams. But she adds that she's more realistic now in terms of her outlook on life and its many trials. "Siguro nga habang tumatanda ang isang tao, mas lalo tayong nagiging totoo-in our hopes and wishes, at tungkol naman sa mga pangarap natin, yung mas kayang abutin."

Her being a single mom has also contributed a lot to her mellowing process. "If you have kids, you become more responsible because you're answerable not only to yourself but also to them. I think being a mom is a life-long commitment."

Soriano has two boys who are growing up fast. "Si Maron, my eldest, is taller than I am na! Tapos si Sebastien, para siyang sponge because he absorbs so many things already."

Her role as mom gives Maricel the most joy and fulfillment. "In terms of a more meaningful happiness, walang tatalo sa pagiging mother ko. It's a role that I will never get tired of playing," she beams.

When it comes to the characters she portrays on film, Soriano says she makes sure that they're larger than life. "For someone who's in her 30s, dapat siguro na mas wide na ang range of emotions na puwede kong ipakita, di ba? And as far as choice of roles is concerned, I have to consider a lot of things like buo ba ang characterization, or logical ba ang consequences ng actions, things like that."

She may have been honed in comedy, but Soriano is at her best in roles that glorify the strengths of womanhood.

"Being a woman requires me to show not only the nurturing and caring aspects but also the decisive and firm side of my femininity. Importante yon, especially in a society that often perceives women as submissive and weak," she intones.

In her latest movie, "Tunay na Mahal," Soriano breathes life into yet another strong woman character whose conflicts are more internal. So strong is her love for her husband that she shares him with another woman when she finds out that she is terminally ill.

"Parang my character tries to use her corporate strategies, which she has been so successful in implementing at her workplace, in her personal life. Doon magsisimula ang problema," she reveals.