Maris Racal’s decade of “Sunshine”: An emotional throwback with Piolo Pascual

Maris Racal’s decade of “Sunshine”: An emotional throwback with Piolo Pascual

Actress Maris Racal shared a nostalgic "then and now" Instagram post with Piolo Pascual, featuring photos from her PBB days and a recent film screening

• The post highlighted Piolo Pascual's consistent presence and early belief in Maris Racal's talent, culminating in his uncompensated cameo in her new film "Sunshine"

• The article details Racal's starring role in the critically acclaimed 2024 film "Sunshine," which has garnered international recognition

• Maris' post sparked a wave of emotional comments, with fans expressing admiration for her bond with Piolo, alongside nostalgic calls for her past "MarNigo" love team

In a delightful throwback that stirred emotions among fans, actress and singer Maris Racal recently took to Instagram to share a "then and now" comparison with veteran actor Piolo Pascual.

Maris Racal’s decade of “Sunshine”: An emotional throwback with Piolo Pascual
Photo: Maris Racal and Piolo Pascual (IG @mariesteller)
Source: Instagram

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The heartwarming post featured two photos: one from Maris' early days as the "Singing Sunshine of Davao" during her stint on Pinoy Big Brother: All In in 2014, and another, more recent shot of the pair at a screening of her latest film, Sunshine.

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Maris captioned the evocative post with a simple yet poignant message: "From singing sunshine ng davao to sunshine movie screening. luv u always @piolo_pascual."

This brief statement encapsulated a decade of growth and connection, highlighting Pascual's enduring presence as a supportive figure in her career.

Pascual, a prominent figure in Philippine entertainment, was one of the first to recognize Racal's potential, making their reunion a full-circle moment for many.

The recent photograph captured the duo at a special screening of Sunshine, the critically acclaimed 2024 film where Maris takes on the titular role.

The sports drama, directed by Antoinette Jadaone, follows a young gymnast who faces an unexpected pregnancy on the week of national tryouts.

Piolo Pascual also makes a guest appearance in the film as a pastor, notably refusing to accept a talent fee for his role, further underscoring his support for the project and Maris' talent.

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Sunshine premiered internationally at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and had its European premiere at the Berlinale in February 2025, before hitting Philippine cinemas on July 23, 2025.

Maris' Instagram post quickly garnered a flood of reactions from her followers, many of whom expressed nostalgia and admiration for the enduring bond between the two stars.

Comments ranged from effusive praise for their long-standing connection to nostalgic calls for Racal's former love team, "MarNigo," with Iñigo Pascual (Piolo's son).

"Nakaka soft naman to. ❤️❤️❤️ he is the first one to believe in her. ❤️❤️❤️" one fan commented, acknowledging Piolo's early encouragement of Maris.
Another sentiment echoed by multiple users was, "Nakakamiss yung Marnigo, sana I balik" and "Marnigo padin," reflecting the continued affection for her past on-screen partnership.

However, many others simply celebrated the "Maris Piolo Forever" dynamic, appreciating the genuine affection and respect evident between the two.

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Enthusiastic exclamations like "Atakeeee!! 👏" and "Waaaahhhhhh🔥" filled the comments section, alongside numerous heart emojis, signifying the overwhelming positive reception from her fanbase.

The post served as a heartwarming reminder of Maris' journey from a reality TV hopeful to a respected actress and artist, a path significantly influenced by the early belief and continued support of industry veterans like Piolo Pascual.

Maris Racal is a multifaceted Filipino actress, singer-songwriter, dancer, and entrepreneur. She rose to national prominence in 2014 as the runner-up on Pinoy Big Brother: All In, earning the endearing title 'Singing Sunshine of Davao.' Following her stint on reality TV, Maris signed with Star Magic and launched a flourishing career in both acting and music. She has since starred in acclaimed TV dramas, including her most iconic role as Irene Tiu in the romance series Can't Buy Me Love. Aside from showbiz, Maris also had entrepreneurial ventures like launching a coffee shop, Stream of Consciousness (SOC), in La Union, which has since gone viral on social media.

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Recently, Maris humorously responded to a netizen's comment about her "haggard" appearance in a recent public sighting, reposting it with a playful caption. The perceived "unglamorous" look is intentional and required for her character in her latest project, "Sunshine," showcasing her dedication to her craft. Followers and fellow celebrities quickly came to Racal's defense, highlighting her professionalism and versatility in transforming for diverse roles, contrasting her "Sunshine" look with her glamorous "Irene Tiu" character. Racal's candid reaction turned the potentially critical comment into a viral moment, drawing widespread amusement, praise, and organic promotion for her new project from fans.

It can be recalled that the cast of 'Sunshine,' including Maris Racal, Elijah Canlas, and Meryll Soriano, appeared as guests on 'Rainbow Rumble.' Maris exclaimed, "Rico what?" after answering an '80s trivia question too quickly. The clip of this blooper went viral, garnering thousands of views on social media. Despite the blooper, Maris still won 'rumbler of the night' and nearly took home PHP1M.

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Josh Medina (Editor)