"PUWEDE AKO KAHIT SAAN."  During the media conference, Maricel and TV5's Creative and Entertainment head Perci Intalan didn't answer directly if she would be doing other shows with the network. 

Maricel just told the media, "Depende, gugulatin na lang namin kayo. Ito muna, isa-isa para may suspense naman!"

When asked what kind of show she prefers, she replied, "Alam mo naman ako, fight anywhere ako, puwede ako kahit saan."

She gave a similar answer about other roles she wants to do in the future. 

"Kung meron man, siguro masasabi ko na lang 'yon kapag gagawin ko na or something na it's going to be a lot difficult, probably, pero challenging.  Hindi ko na masabi 'yon sa dami ng nagawa ko.  Pero baka naman, who knows, may pagkakataon na masasabi kong, 'Ay, hindi ko pa nagagawa ito.'"

TREATING HER JOB AS A BLESSING.  From child actress to multi-awarded Diamond Star, Maricel has proven that she can handle different genres—comedy, drama, suspense and horror.

She shared her outlook as a professional actress:

"Ang natutunan ko noon, kapag lumalabas ako ng bahay, iniiwan ko lahat kasi gusto ko 100 percent ang maibibigay ko sa trabaho ko.  E, lahat ito, trabaho, pare-pareho—mahal mo, gusto mo, nirerespeto mo, at may dedikasyon ka. Kaya hindi dapat dinadamay 'yon.  Iwanan muna ang lahat ng problema, mamaya na kasi may trabaho at blessings na naghihintay sa akin."

She also recalled the instances when she had to separate her own feelings from her job. 

Maria related, "Ang nakakatawa lang na nangyayari sa buhay naming mga artista,  true to life 'to, minsan sa totoong buhay masayang-masaya ka, pero ang gagawin drama.  'Tapos, kapag malungkot na malungkot ka naman or mayroon kang hindi napagkasunduan sa pamilya, dumadating naman na comedy ang ginagawa ko.  Nangyari na kasi talaga 'yan sa amin."

Then, she reminded everyone, "Life is so short, di ba?  Parang kailangan naman maging masaya tayo palagi.  At kung ano ang nakalatag sa atin, matutunan nating mahalin ng tama."

LETTING GO OF EXCESS BAGGAGE.  If other stars experienced complications in crossing over from one network, she was happy that hers was a breeze.

She said, "I consider everything as a blessing. Smooth sailing lahat. Pag nagdadasal ka at bukas ang puso mo sa lahat, naging maganda at maayos, walang kagalit. Ang suwerte-suwerte ko kaya lagi akong nagpapasalamat."

Maria attributes her unfading sophisticated look to her positive attitude.

"I'm very at peace with myself," she said.  "Kumbaga, marami akong nadaanan na pagsubok sa buhay ko—maraming masakit, maraming masaya, maraming mahirap, marami ring madali.  Pero para sa akin, 'yon ang natutunan ko na in as much na ang hirap nga daw ng change, pero kailangan mo rin 'yong i-embrace.  At kailangan mong iwan ang mga bagahe [sa buhay]."