Actors Meryl Soriano and Mel Martinez have long carved their own paths in Philippine show business, but they both know that their journeys will always be intertwined with one of the country’s most celebrated icons — Maricel Soriano, the Diamond Star.

In their guest appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on November 10, the two opened up about the weight of being related to a legend and how they have learned to embrace that connection while building their own names.

Meryl recalled that when she was younger, the comparisons were constant. “When I was just starting, people would say things like, ‘You’re so good, probably because you’re Maricel Soriano’s niece.’ At first, I didn’t know how to feel about that,” she shared. Over time, however, she learned to take it as both a compliment and a reminder of the standard she wanted to live up to. “She is the Diamond Star. I’m honored to be related to her, and she’s been one of my greatest teachers in the industry. She’s incredibly generous—both as an actress and as a person.”

For Mel, the pressure was equally real. “Of course there was pressure,” he admitted. “When people say Maricel Soriano, the bar is already set so high.” But instead of letting it intimidate him, he found inspiration in it. “As we grew older and found our niche, we just wanted to make her proud. We didn’t want to embarrass Ate Maricel. We always give our best—and if we can, we try to even surpass expectations,” he said with a laugh.

Beyond their professional ties, Meryl and Mel’s bond is rooted in deep friendship and respect. “We’re not just relatives—we’re best friends,” Mel shared. “But even with that closeness, there are boundaries. We were raised to respect those older than us. That’s what I love about Meryl—she never crosses that line. There’s always respect.”

Their conversation revealed the heart of a family bound not just by talent, but by humility and mutual admiration. While both Meryl and Mel continue to shine in their own right, they carry with them the same discipline, respect, and passion that define their aunt’s storied career.