Maris Racal shines in ‘Sunshine’ as a dreamer chasing more than gold

Maris Racal takes center stage in her latest film Sunshine, portraying a young gymnast whose Olympic dreams take an unexpected turn after an unplanned pregnancy. But rather than give up, the character fights to reclaim her future. It’s a role that mirrors the actress’s own journey — resilient, focused, and determined to move forward.

In a candid interview with veteran journalist Karen Davila, Maris opened up about her connection to the story and the strength it took to bring the character to life.

“She’s a young gymnast… In the middle of training for the Olympics, she got pregnant,” Maris shares. “But her only light was her dreams. So ginawa niya talaga lahat para sundin yung pangarap niya.”

When asked if she sees herself in Sunshine, the answer came easily.

“Yes. Because I love my dreams so much… Na kahit anong problema, kahit anong pagsubok, gagawin ko siya.” she said. “I love my dreams. I love my job. I love everything about this. Kaya parang gagawin ko lahat para matupad yung pangarap ko.”

From her early days in Pinoy Big Brother to carving out a place as an actress, singer, and songwriter, Maris has steadily built a career defined by growth and versatility. Now in her mid-twenties, she’s entering a new phase — choosing self-priority and clarity over distraction.

During the interview, Davila asked, “At this point, are you single?”

“Yes,” Maris replied without pause.

And does she want to stay that way?

“Yes. I feel like I need to give myself some space. To grow and to really process everything,” she answered thoughtfully. “I don’t know, that’s what I’m saying now. But I don’t know about tomorrow.”

As Sunshine prepares to premiere and captivate audiences with its raw depiction of dreams and resilience, Maris Racal stands ready — on screen and in life — to prove that dreams, no matter how interrupted, are always worth fighting for. And like her character, she’ll do whatever it takes.