Maricel Soriano and Roderick Paulate combine their acting prowess anew in a heart-tugging drama that paints the challenges of a modern family. Beyond their onscreen tandem, the duo has forged a solid friendship that goes way back. And we got to see more of this friendship in a live episode of Kapamilya Chat.

Through banters and teasing and laughter, Maricel and Roderick tell us why their tandem works. One secret to their lasting bond is that they genuinely care for each other. Their friendship is their judgment-free zone where respect and happiness prosper.

Kapamilya Chat put them to the test in a Bukingan Challenge where we noted that one factor keeping their tandem strong is their ability to forgive easily. There’s no space for unnecessary drama and pride in their relationship as they know how to forgive each other's shortcomings. Roderick claimed that he’s more ‘malambing,’ though.

Meanwhile, he said that Maricel is the one who cries easily, which is why she’s an effective actress. He added that the Diamond Star might look unbothered or fierce all the time, but that’s only because she’s learned to hide what she truly feels, “Si Maria kasi natuto siya sa buhay mula pagkabata, natutunan na niya kung paano i-control and emotions niya. Kaya ang mga tao makikita na akala gano’n lang siya, pero sa loob niya umiiyak na siya.”

When Kapamilya Chat asked for trivia bits about Roderick, he would jestingly command Maricel to describe him as a handsome guy with blue eyes, and she would playfully oblige.
Watching them, it’s easy to see that friends who laugh together, indeed last forever. Combine all these factors and you get an effective duo that can generate all sorts of emotions on screen. Maricel and Roderick can do both comedy and drama. When asked why people with good humor make good dramatic actors, Roderick borrowed what was once said by the late Comedy King Dolphy, “Tayo ay nagpapatawa, nagpapaligaya tayo ng tao. Pero ‘pag tayo nag-drama, masakit tayo mag-drama.”

And we’re about to witness this kind of ‘saksak-puso’ drama in their comeback project “In His Mother’s Eyes.” Based on the trailer, it tells the story of Lucy (Maricel), who left his autistic son, Tim (LA Santos), in the care of her brother Bibs (Roderick). Conflict and heart-warming drama arise as Lucy shows up unannounced decades later.

Asked what viewers might learn from this movie, Maricel talked from the perspective of a doting mother, “’Pag may problema ang anak mo, hindi mo maaalis talaga sa ina ang mag-alala, at saka ‘yung kayang gawin din ng ina, ‘yung unconditional love para sa anak nila, ‘yung kaya nilang itaya kahit ang buhay nila.”

Roderick, meanwhile, underscored that humans make mistakes and that each a person has a story we know nothing about. “Ang natutunan ko dito, huwag manghuhusga agad kasi hindi mo alam ang tunay na nangyayari sa kapatid mo, sa kaibigan mo. Lahat tayo may pinagdadaanan.” As an advice to those who relate to Lucy, Bibs, and Tim’s situation, he imparted, “Siguro kailangan talaga ng pasensya, unawa. Lawakan ang pasensya. At hindi mo magagawa ito kung hindi mo mahal ang pamilya.”

Warm your hearts this Christmas season with a story of family and love in “His Mother’s Eyes,” showing on November 29 in cinemas.