We see Maricel Soriano and Cheena Crab in their strict-but-balanced-by-humor dynamic as boss and sidekick in the trending series “Lavender Fields,” but behind the cameras, they transform into simply good friends, sharing genuine moments away from the spotlight.

And you know what friends love doing in their downtime? Catching up and sharing some juicy ‘chika’! In Maricel’s recent vlog, she invited her on-screen right-hand woman, Cheena, for a delightful kuwentuhan where they spilled the tea on everything, from their on-set chemistry to Cheena’s personal lie. It was a conversation full of laughter, heartfelt moments, and stories that only two close friends could share.

Maricel wasted no time asking about Cheena’s unique screen name. Apparently, ‘Cheena’ came from a playful tease about the shape of her chin. She just added ‘Crab’ to her name after she got married, taken from her husband’s surname, ‘Alimango’ (pronounced as aliman-go).

Cheena's career started out in the lively atmosphere of comedy bars where she performed night after night, honing her craft in front of live audiences. Her big break came when she was discovered by a talent manager and cast in Kapamilya series, which opened doors for her in the entertainment industry. One of the standout teleseryes in her career was “Maria Flordeluna,” where she first worked alongside Albert Martinez, who, interestingly enough, is now her co-star once again in “Lavender Fields.”

From there, she smoothly transitioned to hosting the noontime show, “Wowowee,” further showcasing her versatility. She also ventured into films, and one of her most notable roles was playing Judy Ann Santos’ stepmom in “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo,” where she left a lasting impression.

She also considers “Etiquette for Mistresses” as one of the most memorable projects for her, as she was part of an all-star cast alongside celebrated actresses like Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto, Iza Calzado, and Kim Chiu, under the direction of Chito Roño. She fondly reminisced about the experience, particularly her time with Claudine, whom she shared many scenes with, and Iza, whose serene and angelic face she couldn’t get enough of. She humorously recalled how, whenever Kris was around, her usual playful personality would tone down out of shyness, making her feel less mischievous and more reserved.

“Diyan talaga lumabas ‘yung pagiging aktres ko,” Cheena reflected on the turning point that “Etiquette for Mistresses” became for her. It was the first time she shed her identity as a comedienne and truly embraced being a dramatic actress, surprising even herself with how much depth she could offer in serious roles. Through this film, Cheena has proven that she can handle dramatic scenes with the same energy she brings to comedy. Maricel wholeheartedly agreed, adding that she already knew that Cheena had the makings of a great actress from the first time she saw her.

The touching compliment brought Cheena back to the first time they met. She recalled being absolutely starstruck by Maricel's presence, describing her beauty as immaculate and feeling incredibly shy, especially since she was standing face to face with none other than the Diamond Star. But just like other cast members of “Lavender Fields” have said, though they were initially nervous about meeting Maricel, it didn’t take long for them to feel at ease. Maricel’s approachable and friendly nature made everyone, including Cheena, feel comfortable around her despite her iconic status.

In the midst of her flourishing showbiz career in the Philippines, Cheena made a life-changing decision to move to the United States—all because of love. She opened up about how she had faithfully prayed for a husband, and when God answered her prayers with a loving man from the United States, she didn’t hesitate to follow her heart. Her husband petitioned for her to move to the U.S. and although she left the local entertainment scene, Cheena continued to stay active as a host of a magazine talk show and in comedy bars. Aside from her entertainment gigs, she also explored other careers outside the spotlight, working as a beauty consultant and an insurance agent. Life in the U.S. turned out to be simpler but fulfilling for Cheena, as she embraced her roles as a hands-on wife and mom, finding happiness in a different kind of stage—her family life.

Cheena just made her return to Philippine showbiz through “Labyu With An Accent” (2022), the film starring Coco Martin and Jodi Sta. Maria, which was shot in Los Angeles. It was during this project that she realized just how much she missed being part of the industry. Acting, she described, felt like something that was deeply woven into her soul—it’s a passion that never really left her, no matter where life took her.

After they finished filming, she felt an undeniable pull back to the world of showbiz. Cheena told her manager that she wanted to return to the Philippines and stay longer, and the response was almost immediate. She didn’t have to wait long before she was offered a new project, “Lavender Fields,” where she now plays Dahlia, the gregarious ‘drama queen’ assistant to Maricel’s character, Aster Fields.

So, how does it feel to be Maricel’s sidekick on screen? Cheena couldn’t help but laugh, admitting that it’s been nothing but fun. She especially enjoys bringing Dahlia’s character to life, not only through her spirited personality but also through her vibrant wardrobe choices. She shared how their director would sometimes joke that Dahlia’s flashy outfits make her look even wealthier than Aster. Kidding aside, she loves playing the role, especially since it’s not too far from her real-life high-energy personality, making it all the more enjoyable for her.

Even Maricel admitted that during filming, she often had to stop herself from laughing at Cheena’s antics. You can only imagine how colorful their bond is once the cameras stop rolling. “Masaya kami sa set talaga! Sobra! Happy kami sa set at saka ang sarap katrabaho ni Direk Manny [Palo] at lalo na si Direk Jojo [Saguin],” Maricel shared, affirming Cheena’s off-cam stories about the lively and joyful atmosphere on set.

Their conversation shifted to Cheena’s family life, where she lovingly talked about her two daughters, whom she refers to as her ‘crablets.’ Her daughters are 15 and 5 years old, with a ten-year age gap, as she purposely didn’t want them to be too close in age, and it worked out perfectly. Now, her eldest is a teenager while she still has a ‘baby’ in her youngest. Although her kids grew up in America, Cheena made sure they could speak Tagalog and were raised with strong Filipino values.

It must be a joy to have a mom like Cheena—someone who's not only funny but also deeply caring. In turn, she considers her children her biggest fans. There's a deep respect between them, and their communication is incredibly open. She’s the type of mother who supports her kids’ passions without imposing what path they should take. Her eldest, for instance, has shown a knack for songwriting, and Cheena fully supports her daughter’s pursuit of this talent.

Her husband, who remains in the United States, plays a significant part in her happiness. Cheena playfully clarified that, despite the distance, they’re still very much together. In fact, her husband plans to fly to the Philippines to spend the coming holidays with them.

Cheena’s happiness truly stems from her home. She finds her greatest joy in her marriage. She feels incredibly blessed to have a husband who is not only loving and caring but also hardworking. She fondly shared how her husband does the grocery shopping, handles the laundry, and even picks her up and drops her off when she has gigs. For Cheena, having a partner like that only adds to the bliss and simplicity of her life, making her feel more supported and fulfilled in everything she does.

Her positive mindset is the driving force behind her colorful career. Cheena firmly believes that if she desires something deeply enough, the heavens conspire to help her achieve it, with positivity and prayers as her guiding weapons.

This belief fuels her confidence as she embarks on new projects, knowing that as long as opportunities continue to come her way, she will remain in the industry she loves so dearly.