Meryll Soriano has opened up about her honest reaction when her father, television host Willie Revillame, decided to run for the Senate in the last elections, admitting that the news initially left her worried rather than excited.

During her guest appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Soriano revealed that her first response was a simple, “Oh no!”

She explained that her concern stemmed from knowing her father’s personality and recognizing that politics was far removed from the environment where he had built his success.

“No, I think it’s because… nasagot na rin naman n’ya ‘to sa sarili n’yang mga pag-iisip, di ba? Because it’s something that he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know well. He was never confident.”

Soriano said many people had encouraged Revillame to enter politics, believing he could help more Filipinos, but she admired that he understood his own strengths and limitations.

“People have been trying to, you know, tell him na tumakbo ka, makakatulong ka. And I think he’s very smart to understand na hindi n’ya ’yun forte.”

Beyond the challenges of campaigning, Soriano admitted she feared the physical and emotional demands that public office could place on her father.

“So, nung tumakbo s’ya, nalungkot din ako kasi parang, kakayanin n’ya ba ‘yung stress? I mean it’s a completely different world. Iniisip ko rin s’yempre ‘yung health n’ya and then ‘yung magiging buhay n’ya, magiging buhay naming mga anak n’ya.”

Looking back, Soriano believes events unfolded as they were meant to. She shared that she sees a greater purpose in the outcome, saying it allowed her father to continue helping others in ways that better match his abilities.

“And you know, mabait talaga ang Diyos sa kanya na hindi s’ya nanalo because he’s set out to do other things where he is more than capable to help.”