Maris Racal


Mariestella "Maris" Cañedo Racal is a Filipino actress and singer. She rose to prominence in 2014 after joining Pinoy Big Brother: All In, where she finished as the runner-up. Afterward, Racal signed with Star Magic. She was previously a member of [It's Showtime (Philippine TV program)|It's Showtime]'s all-girl dance group Girltrends and ASAP sing-and-dance group BFF5.
Racal's breakthrough role was as Irene Tiu in the ABS-CBN romantic drama series Can't Buy Me Love.

Early life

Mariestella Cañedo Racal was born on September 22, 1997, in Tagum, Davao del Norte, to Henry and Leony Racal. She is the fifth of six children. Racal grew up in Davao del Norte and graduated high school from St. Mary's College in Tagum. In school, she regularly sang the responsorial psalm and performed during Mass. She also uploaded cover songs on SoundCloud.
Racal pursued a degree in medical technology at Trinity University of Asia but discontinued her studies due to her busy schedule.

Acting 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, 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 Shutdown of [ABS-CBN broadcasting|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. Racal gained mainstream recognition for her role.

Music career

In July 2014, Racal and the Pinoy Big Brother: All In housemates released their own original album, composed of three songs 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 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 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 2024, after a meeting at a friend's wedding. They announced their relationship in July 2021. Racal and Blanco later broke up in July 2024.
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".
On September 21, 2025, Racal joined the 2025 Philippine anti-corruption protests in Manila. She also marched with the Philippine-Palestine Friendship Association.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015Halik sa HanginTetay
2015Stars Versus MeElena
2015Just the Way You AreAmy
2015The Breakup PlaylistJanine
2016The Third PartyJoan
2016Vince and Kath and JamesMaxine42nd Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2017Bloody CrayonsRichalaine Alcantara
2017Haunted ForestMich43rd Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2019I'm Ellenya L.Ellenya3rd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino entry
2020Block ZErika
2020Boyette: Not a Girl YetNancy
2020Isa Pang BahaghariYoung Lumen46th Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2023Here Comes the GroomBlesilda1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2023Marupok AF (Where Is The Lie?)Beanie LandridosSlamdance Film Festival entry
2024SunshineSunshine Francisco49th Toronto International Film Festival entry
2024And the Breadwinner Is...Buneng50th Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2025Sosyal ClimbersJessa/ Penelope Regalado

Television/Digital

YearTitleRoleNotes/Ref.
2014Pinoy Big Brother: All InHousemate/ 2nd Big placer
2014Hawak KamayWendy
2014List of [Maalaala Mo Kaya episodes#Season 22 (2014)|Maalaala Mo Kaya: Lobo]Maila
2015Oh My G!Junalyn Barel
2015List of [Ipaglaban Mo! episodes|Ipaglaban Mo!: Inabusong Karapatan]Nina
2015Ipaglaban Mo!: Pinekeng AnyoMinnie
2015Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bottled WaterZyra
2015Ipaglaban Mo!: Maging Akin Ka LangJenny / Jean's Sister
2015–2020, 2021–presentASAPHerself / BFF5 member
2015–2016NingningNiña BuenaflorSupporting role
2016We Will SurviveJenny Bonanza / Jennilyn
2016Maalaala Mo Kaya: Drogayoung Emily / Emilia RodrigoSpecial participation
2016Maalaala Mo Kaya: TogaAnalyn Telmo / Analiyn Telmo
2016Home Sweetie Home: Something NewLetlet
2016Maalaala Mo Kaya: Luneta ParkMaymay
2016–2017It's ShowtimeHerself / GirlTrends member
2017FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoRonalyn "Rona" Carreon
2017Ipaglaban Mo!: KatotohananJessa
2017Wansapanataym: Annika PINTAseraFairy Sylvia
2017Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tape RecorderLou Ann
2017MyxHerself / Myx Celebrity VJ
2017Maalaala Mo Kaya: CasaYoung Hazel
2017–2018Hanggang SaanNessa
2018Maalaala Mo Kaya: UkeleleTin Amistoso
2018Ipaglaban Mo: KakampiMaya Hermosa
2019Pamilya KoPeachy Ann R. Mabunga
2019Maalaala Mo Kaya: StationeryCarol
2019Maalaala Mo Kaya: ContestZephanie Dimaranan
2020Beauty QueensTarsila Zamora Rodriguez
2020–2021Stay-In LoveDiding
2021Maalaala Mo Kaya: FlyersJayren Lom-oc
2021Maalaala Mo Kaya: BisikletaJayren Lom-oc
2022The Kangks ShowCassandra
2022The Goodbye GirlRia
2022How to Move On in 30 DaysJen
2022Suntok sa BuwanTrina
2023Simula sa GitnaSarah
2023Takeshi's Castle PhilippinesGuest commentator
2023–2024Can't Buy Me LoveIrene Tiu
2024Bida BidaHerself
2025IncognitoGabriela "Gab" Rivera-Guerrero / Sparrow
2025Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab EditionHouseguest
2025Rainbow RumbleContestant
2025–presentFPJ's Batang QuiapoPaula "Ponggay" Garcia