In the 80s, the Maricel-William tandem was a big hit in such movies as Pabling and Underage, enduring for many years and patronized by the public even when Maricel and William went to have different partners in real life.
"We have remained good friends," said Maricel who was then called Taray to William's Kulit. "I can't help but laugh recalling our younger days together na para kaming aso't pusa, away-bati, away-bati sa set. How nice to look back at those beautiful days when we were carefree, young and gay."
Those beautiful days are exactly what Star Cinema is bringing back in Kung Ayaw Mo Huwag Mo, a romantic-comedy with an updated version of the Maricel-William history.
Maricel plays a carinderia owner who ferociously protects her sister, Jolina, from the outside world. Maricel's world revolves around her business and the telenovelas, soap operas and movies that she follows religiously. But things take a swift turn when Jolina falls in love with Marvin, a taxi driver who happens to be one of Maricel's favorite customers.
Not wanting to earn the ire of Maricel, Jolina and Marvin, hatch a plan to reconcile Maricel with her former boyfriend, William, whom she hasn't seen in ages.
A lot of reminiscing and a lot of the usual aso't pusa fighting happen before the two sort things out and fall in love again, rediscovering each other under a different light.
"Masaya" is how William describes his screen reunion with Maricel. "Masayang-magulo as usual."
In real life, William is married to Yayo Aguila with whom he has several children. Maricel has had her own share of romances and she's now "alone but not lonely," happy to be a single parent to her sons, Marron and Tien-Tien.
Kung Ayaw Mo Huwag Mo comes on the heels of Star Cinema's hit 1998 opener, Haba-Baba-Doo! Puti-Puti-Poo!