What’s next for Maris Racal after her 3 Best Actress awards

After her three consecutive Best Actress awards for her coming-of-age movie “Sunshine,” Maris Racal is not about to rest on her laurels.

These three acting plums are nothing to sneer at, too: Best Actress award at the 49th Gawad Urian; Movie Actress of the Year award at the 42nd PMPC Star Awards; and, Actress of Distinction award at the 74th Famas awards.

READ: Maricel Soriano, Maris Racal tie for Best Actress at PMPC Star Awards 2026

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To think that Racal won these while in competition with some of the best and the brightest veteran actors in show business such as Maricel Soriano, Odette Khan, Charo Santos and Angelica Panganiban, made her victory all the sweeter.

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On top of this, “Sunshine” was also recognized in several international film festivals, among them, the Crystal Bear for Best Film at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Gen-Kplus); the Austin Asian American Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the Tartu Film Festival in Estonia, and earned critical praise for her performance. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before its theatrical release in the Philippines in July 2025.

“Sunshine” follows the story of a promising young gymnast who discovers that she had gotten pregnant, just days before important qualifiers.

And like her character in the film, the 29-year-old Kapamilya actress finds that she, too, had her share of bumps and hurdles along the way before her three-peat moment.

INQUIRER Entertainment sat down with Racal for a brief interview recently, and she shared her thoughts about her acting awards, and how she dealt with challenges and her naysayers.

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Congratulations on your back-to-back-to-back awards. How does that feel to be awarded Best Actress by three different acting bodies?

I’m grateful for everything that’s happening right now and hindi ko yun magagawa kung hindi yung tinodo ng younger self ko. Kasi feeling ko talaga nakaseparate siya sa akin ngayon, na I’m just in awe sa mga nare receive na awards ngayon… I’m also grateful na nakaka-level ko sina Miss Maricel Soriano, Odette Khan, nakaka-tie ko sila. So thankful ako sa mga journey na pinipili ako at bumoboto sa akin.

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Tying with a high-caliber actress like Maricel Soriano in two of these awards, and then bagging Famas’ first Artist of Distinction award is such a huge milestone. Isn’t that a bit overwhelming for a young actress like you?

Ako I’m really grateful that they wanted to give me recognition sa performance ko sa “Sunshine.” Yung preparation ko sa “Sunshine” was not a joke, and pinaghirapan talaga ng lahat. Teamwork, kumbaga.

Would you say these are the same artists that you would want to emulate, or work with on a project in the future?

Yes! Ako naman, I’m savoring this moment, but I’ll still continue to be me, looking for projects na, you know, teach me and give me more depth as an actor. Ako lang naman, gusto ko lang naman talagang umarte ng umarte. So sana may dumating pa na mga ibang roles na mabibigyan ko ng hustisya.

You have shown your versatility in a number of roles that you have played, be it comedy or action, or heavy drama. Is there a specific genre or role that you would want as a follow-up to “Sunshine?”

Marami na akong ginawa after “Sunshine” pero naghahanap ako ng something light and comedy, na masaya at makikita mo yung kulit. I feel like I want something romantic and funny, so hopefully may dumating na ganoon… or movie na may bagong perspective, something fresh na ilalabas ako. Pero may mga directors na lalapit sa akin na magpapakita na “Hey Maris, I wanna do this with you.” Meron namang mga meetings, pitching, and everything, hopefully may mangyayari next year. But definitely may mga exciting na projects na darating.

With “Sunshine,” you have ably shown that you have that main character vibe, that you can carry a movie not just as a supporting character. Where do you think this energy is coming from?

Hindi ko alam na may factor, to be honest. I think kailangan mo lang maging matapang, hindi lang sa pagiging actress, but sa pagging tao. And harapin yung lahat ng challenges that come with the entertainment industry. Nasa tao talaga yun e, and I’m glad na nangyari yung “Sunshine” sa akin, and napili ako ni Direk [Antonette Jadaone], and I’m hoping that there will be more. I’m just in the middle of a vacuum na I know where I’m heading but I just take things as they come.

And how did you handle these challenges and how did they shape you as an actress and as a stronger person?

I just keep my eyes on the prize, my goals, yung dream and direction ko. I just pray everything. Yung distraction, I just focus on the work… mga awards ko!

Do you think the heartbreaks and the challenges you’ve faced as an actress helped bring more depth to your roles? That they, in a way, became personal experiences to draw from.

The things that happened in my life, they definitely gave me a deeper understanding and a more self-aware perspective.

From the get-go, did you think “Sunshine” would garner so much critical acclaim, even abroad, including at the screening at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival?

Ako naman hindi ko inisip yung awards while doing it. Not even once na sumagi yon sa goal ko talaga. I just wanted to finish the movie na matiwasay at magampanan ko yung role ko nang tama… so I’m very very grateful. At sana marami pang dumating na opportunities na makapag land ng projects abroad. Audition lang ng audition.

Which local artists would you want to work with in the future?

I dream to work with Nadine [Lustre] and Joshua Garcia, and marami pa. Kasi nagagalingan ako sa kanila sa acting. Bilib ako sa binibigay nila sa bawat eksena.

The year 2026 was a bumper year for you. What is in store for Maris Racal in 2027?

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This 2027, may series akong ginagawa ngayon. It’s an action series so abangan niyo. It’s an ensemble cast, also under ABS-CBN. /edv