Maricel Laxa was born to parents Filipina actress and action star Imelda Ilanan and Tony Ferrer respectively. She is a serious Filipina actress and a TV and radio personality. She earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences at the University of the Philippines, Manila and eventually pursued her Master’s Degree in Family Life and Child Development also at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. Maricel spent her primary and elementary education in St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City, De La Salle and Assumption in Antipolo. She graduated high school at Assumption College in Makati. Her half-sister is Mutya Crisostomo, a daughter of Tony Ferrer to his wife Alice Crisostomo. Maricel is married to the former Penthouse Live co-host and columnist, Anthony Pangilinan and they had five children namely, Ella, Benjamin, Donny, Hannah and Solana. In 1992, she appeared in the movie entitled “Iisa Pa Lamang,” and received a Best Supporting award in FAMAS and Star awards in the same year.
She reveals that having a busy schedule doesn’t mean you have to neglect your responsibilities as a parent. Although she is attending to so many obligations career-wise, such as column writing, hosting corporate events, she always guarantees that the children had a proper balance between studying and watching television shows. The younger ones are not allowed to stay longer than usual in front of the computer screens over their studies and school homework. Discipline is one of the moral values the couples had instilled with the children and they make sure the kids follow the rules set for them. Computers are monitored through log-ins and log outs, and only two TV programs are allowed to be watched. Other people may wonder if the children do follow the rules, but in fairness, they do. These kids are growing just the way their parents teach them to be. Watching TV’s can be flexible as long as either one of the couple is present to guide and explain to them should questions arise.
Maricel is also busy with her radio program over DZMM, and some socio-activities with non-governmental organizations and ABS-CBN foundations that usually deal with family and children. But she always makes sure that all the needs of the family especially the children are being attended and taken care of. She believes that being a God-fearing woman, she is able to make her children understand what good morals and Christian values should be. Maricel and Anthony take pride and joy in their children they are all growing to be responsible sons and daughters, and God-fearing children too. A picture of a happy and contented family, they believe that the family that prays together stays together. And that is what they are trying to be. They are an example of an almost perfect family, in the midst of being both a celebrity.
