MARICEL SORIANO - WILLIAM MARTINEZ: COMEDY LOVE TEAM OF THE 80s

Oh My Mama (1981)- Stars Maricel Soriano and William Martinez/ with Herbert Bautista, Hero Bautista, Harlene Bautista/ Directed by Tony Pascua

Pabling (1981)- Stars Maricel Soriano and William Martinez/ Directed by Ishmael Bernal

The Maricel Soriano- William Martinez love team, always funny, hilarious and riotous, is one of the well-loved, closely followed, and successful screen tandems in local cinema in the 80s.

Maricel Soriano was launched to full stardom in 1980 via Regal Films' Underage, while William Martinez got his biggest break in Ishmael Bernal’s City after Dark. Regal Films bigwigs found a right and perfect combination when Maricel and William were paired for the first time in the movie, ironically in a drama vehicle, Oh My Mama in 1981. The two young stars reminded me of the 50s screen favorites Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa. Regal Films could have patterned and packaged the two in the mold of these veteran thespians (Regal did a remake of 1954’s Galawgaw and a sequel to Waray and Manang Biday movies--- Anak ni Waray vs Anak ni Biday)..

While the Sharon- Gabby love team dwell more on the couple’s stormy personal love life, the Maricel- William, on the hand tackle on the funny and wacky sides of life. Both stars are comfortable with each other--- they blend well, they have the right chemistry, right timing, they can throw their lines with ease --- the elements of great comedy duo are all there. There was no stopping them as they churned out multiple box office hits especially in the genre of comedy

To this day, William, sad to say, was relegated and consigned to secondary roles, movie and TV roles came in trickles; Maricel, on the other hand, continue to mesmerize audiences with her versatile performances whether it be drama or comedy, or even action and horror. Regal’s top honcho, Mother Lily (Monteverde) once quip, "Regal without Maricel is nothing."

Summer Love (1981)- Stars Snooky Serna and Gabby Concepcion & Maricel Soriano and William Martinez/ Directed by Elwood Perez



Galawgaw (1982)- Stars Maricel Soriano and William Martinez/ with Opalyn Forster, Bayani Casimiro/ Introducing Edgar MandeDirected by Ishmael Bernal

Boystown (1982)- Stars Gabby Concepcion and Snooky Serna & Maricel Soriano and William Martinez/ with Edgar Mande/ Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya

Mother Dear (1982)- Stars Charito Solis, Gloria Romero, Nestor de Villa, Snooky, Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Albert Martinez/ with Joel Alano, Julie Vega, Edgar Mande/ Introducing Kristine Garcia/ Directed by Lino Brocka

Hindi Kita Malimot (1982)- Stars Maricel Soriano and William Martinez/ Directed by Ishmael Bernal

I Love You, I Hate You (1982)- Stars Maricel Soriano, William Martinez and Ronnie Ricketts/ Directed by Mel Chionglo

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1982)- Stars Robert Arevalo, Liza Lorena, Marissa Delgado, Raul Aragon, Alicia Alonzo, Mila Ocampo, Johnny Wilson, Tony Carreon, Bert Martinez, Joel Alano, Aiko Melendez & Kristine Garcia/ Together with Snooky, Gabby Concepcion, Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Albert Martinez/ Directed by Elwood Perez

Story of Three Loves (1982)- Stars Snooky, Gabby Concepcion, Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Albert Martinez/ Introducing Lani Mercado/ Directed by Joey Gosiengfiao

Minsan, May Isang Ina (1983)- Stars Nora Aunor, Charito Solis, Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Bembol Roco, Manilyn Reynes/ Directed by Maryo J. Delos Reyes

Parang Kailan Lang (1983)- Stars Charito Solis, Chanda Romero, Mark Gil, Peewee Quijano, Marie Romero/ with Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Edgar Mande / Directed by Emmanuel Borlaza

Summer Holiday (1983)- Stars Snooky, Albert Martinez, Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Kristine Garcia, Edgar Mande, Lani Mercado, Joel Alano, Rey 'PJ' Abellana, Lito Pimentel/ Directed by Joey Mel Chionglo

To Mama With Love (1983)- Stars Gloria Romero, Snooky, Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Janice de Belen, Julie Vega/ Introducing Manilyn Reynes/ Directed by Mario O' Hara

Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday (1984)- Stars Nida Blanca, Gloria Romero, Nestor de Villa, Luis Gonzales, Snooky, Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion, William Martinez, Chichay/ Directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes



Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (1984)- Charito Solis, Ronaldo Valdez, Liza Lorena, Gina Alajar, Michael de Mesa, William Martinez, Arlene Muhlach and Maricel Soriano/ Directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes

Teenage Marriage (1984)- Stars Charito Solis, Gloria Romero, Mon Alvir, Albert Anido, and Maricel Soriano & William Martinez/ Directed by Mel Chionglo

Left- Inday Bote (1985)- Stars Maricel Soriano and William Martinez/ with Charito Solis, Gloria Romero, Christopher Palomo, Nova Villa, Chichay, Dely Atay-Atayan, Roderick Paulate, Balot, Palito and Max Alvarado/ Introducing Richard Gomez/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos

Right- Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (1985)- Stars Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III & Maricel Soriano and William Martinez & Snooky and Gabby Concepcion/ with Gloria Romero, Mario Montenegro, Nova Villa, Lani Mercado, Gretchen Barretto, Nadia Montenegro and Chichay/ Directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes

Left- When I Fall in Love (1986)- Stars Maricel Soriano and William Martinez & Janice de Belen and Aga Muhlach & Richard Gomez and Jackie Lou Blanco/ with Gretchen Barretto, Albert Anido, Nadia Montenegro, Benedict Aquino/ Directed by Joey Gosiengfiao

Right- Inday Inday sa Balitaw (1986)- Stars Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Armida Siguon-Reyna, Roderick Paulate, Cynthisa Patag, Matet and Maricel Soriano & William Martinez/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos

Left- Jack en Poy (1987)- Stars Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Roderick Paulate, Manilyn Reynes, Janno Gibbs, Nova Villa, Tessie Tomas, Caridad Sanchez and Chichay/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos

Right- Maria Went to Town (1987)- Stars William Martrinez, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera and Maricel Soriano/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos