Maricel Soriano pulls out all the stops for her 60th birthday

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April 14, 2025 | 12:00am

When our country’s one and only Diamond Star turns 60, what else can she do but throw a party that pulls out all the stops? Maricel Soriano celebrated her milestone 60th birthday with a dazzling celebration on April 8 at the New Frontier Theatre (NFT) in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.

Fondly known as Marya, the iconic actress radiated in a pink Inno Sotto pantsuit, not letting even back pain from spinal arthritis (which she is addressing with therapy) dampen her mood to party with her family and closest friends in the showbiz industry.

The NFT was transformed from a theater into a vibrant party venue, with the seats removed to make way for a central circular bar and numerous roundtables. Drinks flowed freely, a delightful surprise being the Pidol’s Banayad whiskey brought by Eric Quizon that was named such as a touching tribute to his dad, the late Comedy King Dolphy.

Dolphy was also a father figure to Maricel during her rise to fame in the sitcom “John en Marsha.” He, of course, played papa John Puruntong to her Shirley on the show that catapulted her to stardom.

Guests enjoyed exquisite canapés curated by no less than the late Margarita Fores before the delectable dinner. The menu featured pass-around antipasti like barquillos cylinders with chive mousse duet, salmon roe and prosciutto crisp, fried squash flowers stuffed with ricotta espuma wrapped in prosciutto, fried smoked potato chips and lumpfish caviar.

The sit-down dinner commenced with Caesar salad, followed by handmade cannelloni with Bulacan river prawn, Capiz scallop ragu, colatura cream and bottarga di muggine. The main course was slow-roasted mustard rubbed beef belly “arrosto al romarino,” mushroom trifolati, red wine-pommery mustard jus, whipped potato puree tartufato, fagliolini and Fiori di zucca. Dessert was an almond-crusted millefoglie with mascarpone foam and grappa poached strawberries, a testament to Fores’ culinary excellence.

The evening’s semi-retro ambiance was set by the band Route 70, which played ‘80s hits and got the crowd ready to dance and swing.

Among the many luminaries present were Maricel’s former leading men Cesar Montano, Vhong Navarro and Sen. Bong Revilla; Rep. Lani Mercado, Dingdong Dantes, Cory Vidanes, Vice Ganda, Paul Cabral and Helen Gamboa-Sotto with daughters Lala Sotto-Antonio, Apples and Ciara Sotto.

The guest list also included Elizabeth Oropesa, Ruby Ruiz, Pen Medina, Law Tan, Malou Choa-Fagar, Iza Calzado, Ryza Cenon, Gladys Reyes, Liza Diño, Pen Medina, direk Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and wife Bibeth Orteza, Eric, Epi and Vandolph Quizon.

Family members present included Maricel’s sister Bek Bek Soriano and niece Meryll Soriano with partner Joel Bascon. Dr. Zee Teo, Dra. Aivee and members of the Aguilar family also joined the celebration.

The Araneta family was represented by Veana Araneta-Fores, Bledes Fores-Legarda and Korina Sanchez-Roxas.

Later in the evening, Sen. Grace Poe, Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano also arrived.

I was also thrilled to see many of my former ABS-CBN colleagues Julie Ann Benitez, Kylie Balagtas, Biboy Arboleda, Bilet Sangalang, Ellen Criste, Eric John Salut and Roxy Liquigan of Star Music.

The emotional highlights of the night were Ice Seguerra’s rendition of Pagdating ng Panahon and Gary Valenciano’s heartfelt serenade of Sana Maulit Muli for the birthday celebrant. It was a beautiful and truly memorable evening for the Diamond Star, a sparkling testament to the unbreakable bonds she has forged within the industry she has loved and dedicated herself to for over five decades.