TV5 will soon premiere its weekly anthology titled 5-Star Specials and Diamond Star Maricel Soriano will topbill its first few episodes.

Maricel Soriano will portray different characters in the said anthology in various genre every week from comedy to drama to horror.

On its pilot episode (March 22) directed by Soxie Topacio, Maricel stars in a comedy special where she plays the role of a balikbayan. She returns to the Philippines to get her daughter upon learning that her gay ex-husband is already dead. Together with her boyfriend (played by Carlos Morales), Maricel meets her ex-husband’s gay lover (Roderick Paulate) and engages in a funny dispute over the silliest things.

The next episode (March 29) will feature Maricel in a horror-themed story together with child actor Nash Aguas. It will be directed by Ryan Carlos.

The remaining episodes will be megged by Joyce Bernal, Joel Lamangan and Eric Quizon.

Maricel recalls her working experience with Soxie Topacio and her good friend Roderick Paulate:

“Of course, nakatrabaho ko na sila lahat pero ang treatment na ginawa namin, it’s going to be a lot different. Ang saya-saya working with Direk Soxie kasi wala siyang ginawa kundi tumawa…hindi lang tumawa kundi humagikgik. Ang saya namin sa set. And, of course, ang sarap na si Dick [Roderick Paulate] ang kasama kasi nakaka-miss talaga. It’s been a long time na hindi kami nakagawa ng project together.”

Perci Intalan, head of Creative and Entertainment, told the press, “We are very proud and honored that Ms. Maricel accepted our invitation to be part of the new TV5. Although, to make it clear, we are not under any illusions na sa amin lang siya.”

TV5 network executives are also cooking up a sitcom for the veteran actress.

5-Star Specials will air on TV5 every Monday starting March 22 at 8 p.m.