2000's The Millennium came and Maricel was here to stay. She did Mila under the direction of Joel Lamangan. She was just recently applauded for her very powerful portrayal as Vera Go in Mano Po, Regal Films' official entry to the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival again under the direction of Joel Lamangan. This year she's scheduled to do Filipinas, May Isang Ina another powerful cast and this time, she's doing it under Viva Film's. Its official entry to 2003 MMFF. The cast includes Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Aiko Melendez, Armida Sigiuon-Reyna directed by Joel Lamangan.