'Gusto ko lang umarte': Maris Racal on a high after 'Sunshine' accolades
MANILA, Philippines — The past month has been one full of blessings and gratitude for actress Maris Racal, whose "Sunshine" continues to shower her with recognition over a year since the film came out.
Maris played the titular character in Antoinette Jadaone's movie about a teen gymnast who learns she is pregnant ahead of a national tryout and considers an abortion, which is illegal in the Philippines.
Earlier this month, Maris tied with "Bar Boys: After School" star Odette Khan for Best Actress at the Gawad Urian. A few weeks later, she repeated the feat at the Star Awards, ending with a tie with "Meet, Greet and Bye" star Maricel Soriano.
The "Diamond Star" beat the "Pinoy Big Brother: All In" runner-up a couple days later at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS Awards); the award-giving body, however, opted to honor Maris with a first-ever Actress of Distinction award.
Maris reflected on the many accolades she has been getting in an exclusive interview with Philstar.com a day after the 2026 FAMAS Awards, admitting she has yet to process it all.
"I'm still overwhelmed right now. You're right, this month has been so good to me. Thankful ako sa mga awards and award-giving bodies," the actress told Philstar.com.
She credited the "sobrang bigatin" artists she goes up against in the nominations, with Charo Santos, Angelica Panganiban, and newcomer Krystel Go often popping up in the same categories as her.
"I'm just glad that they consider me and binibigyan nila ako ng recognition, 'yun pa lang masaya na ako," Maris smiled. "I'm happy because I'm proud of my younger self. Those awards, I dedicated to her, I'm just the one receiving it all!"
The actress further admitted being initially confused at how the FAMAS Awards night turned out when she was given a special distinction after Maricel won Best Actress, later finding she was proud her performance was worthy of a brand new honor.
Maris stressed the difficulty of winning an award given the various tastes of viewers and judges, reiterating her gratitude that her portayal in "Sunshine" was up to their standards.
She chuckled at the notion of being on the same level as Maricel and Odette after literally tying them for honors, approaching instead by noting how it is all just starting for her.
"It just inspired me to work harder, to pray harder for roles like Sunshine," shared Maris. "Gusto ko lang naman magtuloy-tuloy as an actress because, hindi ko alam anong gagawin ko kung hindi ako umaarte. Hindi ako marunong gumawa ng email, or anything! 'Di ko alam ano trabaho ko basta gusto ko lang umarte."
The actress ended by repeating hopes for more opportunities like "Sunshine," and that audiences continue to enjoy what she has to offer them.
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