# Maris Racal

Mariestella Cañedo Racal (Tagalog pronunciation:; born September 22, 1997), better known as Maris Racal, is a Filipino actress and singer. She came to prominence in 2014 after joining Pinoy Big Brother: All In, where she was the Second Big Placer. After her stint in Pinoy Big Brother, Racal signed a deal with Star Magic. She was a former member of It's Showtime's all-girl dance group Girltrends and ASAP's sing-and-dance group BFF5.
Racal's most breakthrough role is the character of Irene Tiu in the ABS-CBN romantic drama series Can't Buy Me Love with her on-screen partner Anthony Jennings.

## Early life and education

Mariestella Cañedo Racal was born on September 22, 1997 in Tagum, Davao del Norte to Henry and Leony Racal, the fifth of six children. She grew up in Davao del Norte and graduated high school from St. Mary's College in Tagum City. In school, she used to sing the responsorial psalm, sing in mass and sing intermission numbers. She also did cover songs on SoundCloud.
Racal studied medical technology at Trinity University of Asia, but she had to stop due to her busy schedule.

## Showbiz career

After Pinoy Big Brother, Racal was launched as part of Star Magic Circle 2014 and had been quickly molded as a budding actress, starting off on the drama series Hawak Kamay, followed by more stints on several TV series including Maalaala Mo Kaya, Ipaglaban Mo!, Oh My G!, and Ningning, and on films like Halik sa Hangin, Just The Way You Are, and The Breakup Playlist. She also starred with Roberto "Fourth" Solomon Pagotan IV in the Dear MOR episode, the "Kate and Red Story". In April 2015, she released her first single "Tanong Mo Sa Bituin" as part of Star Record's compilation album "OPM Fresh". In June 2015, she played her first lead role in the film Stars Versus Me by Tandem Entertainment.
In February 2016, Racal was introduced as one of the members of all-girl dance group Girltrends on the noontime show It's Showtime, where was tagged as "Magnificent Girltrend Maris" and became the group's Team Young member. She also played a supporting role in the comedy-drama series We Will Survive. In October 2016, Racal performed in her first OneMusicPH's digital concert "Double Hearts", where she debuted her original song "Take It All Away". In the same month, she also appeared in the film The Third Party. In December 2016, Racal played the role of Maxine in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival box office entry film Vince and Kath and James.
In January 2017, Racal was launched as one of the members of ASAP's all-girl song-and-dance group BFF5 (pronounced as BFFs), alongside Loisa Andalio, Ylona Garcia, Andrea Brillantes, and Kira Balinger. Her inclusion in the new group led Racal to leave Girltrends. Later on, she made her guest appearance in the action drama series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, and a starring role in Wansapanataym Presents: Annika PINTAsera. She also performed the song "Paano Mo Nalaman", a Tagalog version of "How Did You Know", for the romantic drama series Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin. On July 8, 2017, Racal held her first major concert "4 of A Kind: The Un4gettable Concert" at the Music Museum, alongside Loisa Andalio, Sue Ramirez and Kristel Fulgar. She also starred in the horror-thriller film Bloody Crayons, drama series Hanggang Saan, and the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival box office entry film Haunted Forest.
On February 8, 2018, Racal headlined the first Star Events FanCon at Teatrino, Promenade with Iñigo Pascual as her special guest. Her original song "Tala" was released as her newest single during the event. A few days later, she debuted as co-host for Iñigo Pascual's online show One Music POPSSSS, appearing on the first episode of the fourth season. Her latest single "Ikaw Lang Sapat Na" was released in May 2018, as part of the soundtrack of romantic drama series Since I Found You. In September 2018, she became a certified recording artist with the release of her first album entitled "Stellar". In October 2018, she was one of the ten interpreters for Himig Handog 2018 with a song entitled "Sugarol" composed by Jan Sabili. In 2019, Racal joined the cast of family drama series Pamilya Ko in the role of Peachy Mabunga. Pamilya Ko was later canceled in 2020, following the loss of ABS-CBN's franchise in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic.
Racal had to temporarily work on TV5 under its blocktimer shows. She was part of the short-lived program Sunday Noontime Live!, and played a lead role in the romantic comedy series Stay-In Love. She later made her appearance on The Big Night of Pinoy Big Brother: Connect in March 2021, and returned to ASAP in April 2021.
In 2023, Racal was cast in the romantic drama series Can't Buy Me Love. She portrayed the role of Irene Tiu, a spoiled, alcoholic and sarcastic girl who has a rivalry with her half-sister Caroline Tiu, portrayed by Belle Mariano. Irene eventually develops a love-hate relationship with Snoop Manansala, played by Anthony Jennings. Racal and Jennings both gained mainstream recognition for their roles as a love team.

## Music career

In July 2014, Racal and the Pinoy Big Brother: All In housemates released their own original album, composed of three songs ("Teen Love Song", "Turtle Song", and "Bibimbap") originally written and sung by themselves.
On October 28, 2014, she uploaded her cover of Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" song on her official YouTube account. The hashtag 'Thinking Out Loud Cover by Maris Racal' immediately trended worldwide on Twitter, as her fans expressed their delight for her cover song. The video garnered almost two million hits on YouTube since it was uploaded.
In February–March 2015, Racal shared her video blogs on YouTube known as "Maris My Song For You" episodes (with the direction of Alco Guerrero) where she gave her fans an opportunity to send her their messages and ask her to breathe new life to their favorite song. Her videos featured covers of songs "In My Life" and "True Colors", followed by "Firework", "Yellow", "Lost Stars", "'Til There Was You" and "Ordinary People".
In April 2015, Racal released her first single "Tanong Mo Sa Bituin", as part of Star Record's compilation album "OPM Fresh". The song became the official soundtrack for the film Stars Versus Me.
In August 2015, Racal covered Norah Jones' hit song "Don't Know Why" during the #HappyBirthdayWish1075 celebration. Her exclusive performance made her won the awards "Wishers’ Choice for Wishclusive Performance of the Year" and "Wishers’ Choice for Young Artist of the Year" in the 2016 Wish 107.5 Music Awards, held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on January 26, 2016.
On October 2, 2016, Racal was one of the four singer-performers (alongside Loisa Andalio, Sue Ramirez, and Kristel Fulgar) who headlined OneMusicPH's Double Hearts Digital Concert where she debuted her original song "Take It All Away".
During the grand press conference for the drama series Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin on April 24, 2017, Racal performed the song "Paano Mo Nalaman", a Tagalog version of "How Did You Know", and one of the soundtracks for the series, which premiered on May 1, 2017.
On February 8, 2018, Racal released her song "Tala" during her FanCon. On May 4, 2018, she also released her single "Ikaw Lang Sapat Na", a song that she wrote for Iñigo Pascual on their guesting on the Sunday night talk show Gandang Gabi, Vice!. "Ikaw Lang Sapat Na" was used as a soundtrack for the romantic drama series Since I Found You. The song was also featured on ASAP with Iñigo Pascual. On July 7, 2018, Racal launched her first album "Stellar" at the SM North Edsa Skydome, with Migz Haleco, Iñigo Pascual and Sue Ramirez as her special guests. She performed all of her songs in the album, including "Hi Crush", "Love Is Easy", "Tayo Na Di Tayo", "Ikaw Lang Sapat Na" and a rock version of "Tala". Her album is available in all digital stores nationwide. In October 2018, she interpreted the official entry from the Himig Handog 2018, "Sugarol", written by Jan Sabili.
On the second quarter of 2019, Racal released her self-written single "Abot Langit", in collaboration with Rico Blanco.
In 2020, Racal signed with a new music label, Balcony Entertainment and distributor, Sony Music Philippines. She released her first single "Not For Me" in September under the new label.
On June 11, 2022, Racal released her sophomore album Ate Sandali, composed of eight tracks, including her lead single of the same title. Some of her songs, including "Asa Naman" from the album, feature Cebuano lyrics. "It's always going to be a part of me to incorporate Bisaya words into my music," Racal said in an interview with Mae Trumata of Nylon Manila. The song won "Best Regional Recording" at the 35th Awit Awards in 2022. Racal delivered her acceptance speech partly in Cebuano. She stated, "We all know that when we write songs, we should write our truth, and part of my truth is that I'm born in Tagum, Davao. I grew up Bisaya!" She encouraged other musicians to write songs in Philippine languages beyond Tagalog.

## Personal life

Racal dated actor-singer Iñigo Pascual during their time as onscreen partners, but their partnership "didn't work out" and remained as friends. After their split, Racal was linked to musician Rico Blanco from 2019 to 2021, after a meeting at a friend's wedding. They announced their relationship in July 2021. Racal and Blanco later broke up in July 2024. On December 3 of the same year, her love team partner Anthony Jennings' ex-girlfriend Jamela Villanueva alleged that Jennings cheated on her with Racal and released screenshots of Racal's intimate private conversations with Jennings. On December 6, Racal publicly apologized to Villanueva and her supporters. She accused Jennings of deceiving her, alleging that he repeatedly claimed to have broken up with Villanueva in private. In her statement, Racal added that she was "sad" about her intimate conversations being posted without her consent and "[felt] like[...] a naked woman walking" every time she went out, following the release of the screenshots. Jennings issued a public apology directed towards both Villanueva and Racal, also on December 6.
Besides her entertainment career, Racal also ventured into entrepreneurship and launched a prominent coffee shop on a popular beach in San Juan, La Union, called "Stream of Consciousness Coffee".

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2015 | Halik sa Hangin | Tetay |
| 2015 | Stars Versus Me | Elena |
| 2015 | Just the Way You Are | Amy |
| 2015 | The Breakup Playlist | Janine |
| 2016 | The Third Party | Joan |
| 2016 | Vince and Kath and James | Maxine |
| 2017 | Bloody Crayons | Richalaine Alcantara |
| 2017 | Haunted Forest | Mich |
| 2019 | I'm Ellenya L. | Ellenya |
| 2020 | Block Z | Erika |
| 2020 | Boyette: Not a Girl Yet | Nancy |
| 2020 | Isa Pang Bahaghari | Young Lumen |
| 2023 | Here Comes the Groom | Blesilda |
| 2023 | Marupok AF (Where Is The Lie?) | Beanie Landridos |
| 2024 | Sunshine | Sunshine |
| 2024 | And the Breadwinner Is... | Buneng |
| 2025 | Sosyal Climbers | Jessa/ Penelope Regalado |

### Television/Digital

| Year | Title | Role | Notes/Ref. |
| 2014 | Pinoy Big Brother: All In | Housemate/ 2nd Big placer | |
| 2014 | Hawak Kamay | Wendy | |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Lobo | Maila | |
| 2015 | Oh My G! | Junalyn Barel | |
| 2015 | Ipaglaban Mo!: Inabusong Karapatan | Nina | |
| 2015 | Ipaglaban Mo!: Pinekeng Anyo | Minnie | |
| 2015 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bottled Water | Zyra | |
| 2015 | Ipaglaban Mo!: Maging Akin Ka Lang | Jenny / Jean's Sister | |
| 2015–2020, 2021–present | ASAP | Herself (performer) / BFF5 member | |
| 2015–2016 | Ningning | Niña Buenaflor | Supporting role |
| 2016 | We Will Survive | Jenny Bonanza / Jennilyn | |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Droga | young Emily / Emilia Rodrigo | Special participation |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Toga | Analyn Telmo / Analiyn Telmo | |
| 2016 | Home Sweetie Home: Something New | Letlet | |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Luneta Park | Maymay | |
| 2016–2017 | It's Showtime | Herself / GirlTrends member | |
| 2017 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Ronalyn "Rona" Carreon | |
| 2017 | Ipaglaban Mo!: Katotohanan | Jessa | |
| 2017 | Wansapanataym: Annika PINTAsera | Fairy Sylvia | |
| 2017 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tape Recorder | Lou Ann | |
| 2017 | Myx | Herself / Myx Celebrity VJ | |
| 2017 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Casa | Young Hazel | |
| 2017–2018 | Hanggang Saan | Nessa | |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Ukelele | Tin Amistoso | |
| 2018 | Ipaglaban Mo: Kakampi | Maya Hermosa | |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Stationery | Carol | |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Contest | Zephanie Dimaranan | |
| 2020 | Beauty Queens | Tarsila Zamora Rodriguez | |
| 2020–2021 | Stay-In Love | Diding | |
| 2021 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Flyers | Jayren Lom-oc | |
| 2021 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bisikleta | Jayren Lom-oc | |
| 2022 | The Kangks Show | Cassandra | |
| 2022 | The Goodbye Girl | Ria | |
| 2022 | How to Move On in 30 Days | Jen | |
| 2022 | Suntok sa Buwan | Trina | |
| 2023 | Simula sa Gitna | Sarah | |
| 2023 | Takeshi's Castle Philippines | Guest commentator | |
| 2023–2024 | Can't Buy Me Love | Irene Tiu | |
| 2024 | Bida Bida | Herself | |
| 2025 | Incognito | Gabriela "Gab" Rivera | |

### TV Commercials

| Year | Brand Name | Product/ Campaign/ Promotion |
| 2018 | Garnier | Garnier Micellar Water 1 Step Lang |
| 2019 | Careline cosmetics | #CarelineGang #CarelineRebelRemix |
| 2021 | Eskinol Naturals | |
| 2021 | Whisper | New Breathable Pad #HingaLangGirl |
| 2022 | Sunsilk | Best-ever Summer w/ Best-ever Sunsilk |
| 2024 | San Miguel Flavored Beer | Life Refreshingly Sweeeet |
| 2024 | Efficasent Oil | Efficasent Boost Pain Relief Massage Roll-on |
| 2024 | Sting Energy Drink | Sting Hataw Mode |
| 2024 | Lay's Stax | #LoveSTAX |
| 2024 | Mang Inasal | Mang Inasal Pork BBQ |
| 2024 | San Mig Coffee | San Mig Sugar Free Coffee |

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Year | Album | Label |
| 2018 | Stellar | Star Music |
| 2022 | Ate Sandali | Sony Music Philippines |

### Singles

| Year | Song Title | Album | Composer | Company |
| 2015 | Tanong Mo Sa Bituin | OPM Fresh | Joven Tan | Star Music |
| 2018 | Tala | Stellar | Herself/Maris Racal | Star Music |
| 2018 | Ikaw Lang Sapat Na | Stellar | Herself/Maris Racal | Star Music |
| 2018 | Love Is Easy | Stellar | Herself/Maris Racal | Star Music |
| 2018 | Tayo Na 'Di Tayo with Inigo Pascual | Stellar | Herself/Maris Racal | Star Music |
| 2018 | Hi Crush | Stellar | Gabriel Tagadtad | Star Music |
| 2018 | Tayo Na 'Di Tayo with Inigo Pascual (Alternative Version) | Stellar | Herself/Maris Racal | Star Music |
| 2018 | Sugarol | Himig Handog 2018 | Jan Sabili | Star Music |
| 2019 | Abot Langit | - | Herself/Maris Racal | Star Music |
| 2020 | Not For Me | - | Herself/Maris Racal | Sony Music Philippines |
| 2020 | Kahit Na Anong Sablay | - | Herself/Maris Racal | Balcony Entertainment |
| 2021 | Stop Missing You | OPM Fresh: Songwriters Series Vol. 1 | Mycah Alice Borja | Star Music |
| 2021 | Ate Sandali! | Ate Sandali | Herself/Maris Racal | Balcony Entertainment Sony Music Philippines |
| 2021 | Asa Naman | Ate Sandali | Herself/Maris Racal | Balcony Entertainment Sony Music Philippines |
| 2021 | Simulan (Starting Now) | - | Darren Criss, Jason Mater, Jordan Powers | Walt Disney Records |
| 2022 | Pumila Ka | Ate Sandali | Herself/Maris Racal | Balcony Entertainment Sony Music Philippines |
| 2022 | Di Papakawalan | Ate Sandali | Herself/Maris Racal | Balcony Entertainment Sony Music Philippines |
| 2025 | Perpektong Tao | | Herself/Maris Racal | Nine Degrees North Inc. |

### Chart performance

| Year | Title | Peak (iTunes PH Top 100) | Peak (MOR 101.9 Daily Pinoy Biga10) | Peak (MOR 101.9 Dyis Is It) | Peak (Spotify Philippines Viral 50) | Album |
| 2018 | Tala | 1 | 1 | - | 4 | Stellar |
| 2018 | Ikaw Lang Sapat Na | 1 | 1 | - | 45 | Stellar |
| 2018 | Love Is Easy | 10 | - | 1 | 30 | Stellar |
| 2018 | Sugarol | 8 | - | 1 | - | Himig Handog 2018 |
| 2019 | Tayo Na 'Di Tayo with Inigo Pascual | 4 | - | 2 | - | Stellar |
| 2019 | Abot Langit | 7 | - | 5 | - | - |

### Music Video Chart performance

| Year | Title | Peak (MYX Daily Top 10 - Pinoy) | Peak (Pinoy MYX Countdown) | Peak (MYX Hit Chart) | Album |
| 2018 | Love Is Easy | 1 | 2 | 2 | Stellar |
| 2018 | Sugarol | 1 | 1 | 1 | Himig Handog 2018 |
| 2019 | Abot Langit | 3 | 1 | 3 | - |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award-giving Body / Critics | Award | Notable Work | Result |
| 2014 | 1st Star Cinema Awards | Most Promising Actress | Won | |
| 2015 | 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best New Female TV Personality | Maalaala Mo Kaya Ep.Lobo | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2nd Star Cinema Awards | Breakthrough Artist | — | Won |
| 2016 | Wish 107.5 Music Awards 2016 | Wishers’ Choice for Wish Young Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2016 | Wish 107.5 Music Awards 2016 | Wishers’ Choice for Best WISHclusive Performance | Don't Know Why | Won |
| 2016 | 29th Global Excellence Awards | People's Choice for Female Dance Group (Girltrends) | — | Won |
| 2016 | Push Awards | Push Play Newcomer | — | Nominated |
| 2016 | 3rd Star Cinema Awards | #BestInLevelUp Breakthrough Star | — | Won |
| 2017 | Push Awards | #OOTDGoals Celebrity Fashionista of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2017 | 3rd LionhearTV RAWR Awards | Beshie ng Taon | Vince and Kath and James | Won |
| 2017 | 4th Star Cinema Awards | Ultimate Scene Stealer | Vince and Kath and James and Bloody Crayons | Won |
| 2017 | 4th Star Cinema Awards | Ultimate Breakthrough Loveteam (with Inigo Pascual) | — | Won |
| 2018 | 20th Gawad Pasado Awards | PinakaPASADOng Dangal ng Kabataan (with Iñigo Pascual) | — | Won |
| 2018 | Myx Music Awards 2018 | Myx Celebrity VJ of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2018 | MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2018 | Best New Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2018 | 8th EdukCircle Awards | BEST ACTRESS in Single Drama Performance | Maalaala Mo Kaya Ep.Casa | Nominated |
| 2018 | Himig Handog 2018 | MOR Philippines Choice Award | Sugarol | Won |
| 2018 | Himig Handog 2018 | TFC's Global Choice for Favorite Song | Sugarol | Won |
| 2018 | Himig Handog 2018 | MYX Choice for Best Music Video | Sugarol | Won |
| 2018 | Push Awards | Push Group/Tandem of the Year (with Inigo Pascual) | — | Nominated |
| 2018 | Push Awards | Push Celebrity Squad of the Year #Friendshipgoals (with Sue Ramirez) | — | Nominated |
| 2018 | Inside Showbiz Awards 2018 | Favorite Music Video | Love Is Easy | Nominated |
| 2019 | Wish 107.5 Music Awards 2019 | Wish Pop Song of the Year | Love Is Easy | Nominated |
| 2019 | Myx Music Awards 2019 | Music Video Guest Appearance of the Year | Lumang Tugtugin by Inigo Pascual | Won |
| 2019 | MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019 | Female Artist of the Year | Love Is Easy | Nominated |
| 2019 | MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019 | Best Collaboration of the Year | Tayo Na Di Tayo (with Inigo Pascual) | Nominated |
| 2019 | 32nd Awit Awards 2019 | PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for Favorite New Female Artist | — | Won |
| 2019 | 32nd Awit Awards 2019 | PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for Favorite Music Video | Sugarol | Won |
| 2019 | 32nd Awit Awards 2019 | PERFORMANCE AWARD for Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist | Love Is Easy | Nominated |
| 2019 | 32nd Awit Awards 2019 | TECHNICAL AWARD for Best Vocal Arrangement | Sugarol | Nominated |
| 2019 | 32nd Awit Awards 2019 | ALBUM PACKAGING EXCELLENCE AWARD for Best Cover Art | Stellar | Nominated |
| 2019 | 32nd Awit Awards 2019 | Music Video of the Year | Sugarol | Nominated |
| 2020 | GMMSF 51st Box Office Choice Awards | Promising Female Recording Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2020 | Laguna Excellence Award | Outstanding New Female Recording Artist of the Year | Hi Crush | Won |
| 2022 | 35th Awit Awards 2022 | Female Favorite Artist | — | Nominated |
| 2022 | 35th Awit Awards 2022 | Best Regional Recording | Asa Naman | Won |
| 2023 | The Platinum Stallion National Media Awards 2023 | Best Media Practicioner for Entertainment | — | Won |
| 2023 | 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Here Comes the Groom | Nominated |
| 2023 | Tiktok Awards PH 2023 | Celebrity Creator of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2023 | 36th Awit Awards 2023 | Best World Music Recording | Pumila Ka | Nominated |
| 2023 | 4th TAG Media Chicago Awards | #TAG25UNDER25 | — | Rank 12 |
| 2024 | 9th Wish Music Awards | Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year | Ate Sandali | Nominated |
| 2024 | 9th Push Awards | Favorite Onscreen Performance for Television | Can't Buy Me Love | Won |
| 2024 | 5th Village Pipol Choice Awards | Breakthrough Star of the Year | Can't Buy Me Love | Won |
| 2024 | Golden Laurel Awards | Breakthrough Love Team (with Anthony Jennings) | SnoRene - Can't Buy Me Love | Won |
| 2024 | Anak TV Seal Awards | Net Makabata Star | — | Nominated |
| 2024 | Star Magical Christmas | Breakthrough Love Team of the Year (with Anthony Jennings) | — | Won |
| 2025 | TAG Victorious Awards Chicago | Best Supporting Actress - Series | Can't Buy Me Love | Won (Silver Champion) |
| 2025 | 6th Village Pipol Choice Awards | Supporting Movie Actress of the Year | And the Breadwinner Is... | Nominated |