Kapamilya actress and influencer Maris Racal has been warmly embraced as a gay icon, thanks to her projects and performances that resonate with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Maris delighted fans when she performed at O Bar, a renowned venue for drag shows and LGBTQIA+ events.
Reflecting on the experience, Maris said, “Ang saya! Ang saya ng O Bar experience ko! Alam n’yo ba, dream ko yun! Like fantasy ko yun. The real word is fantasy kasi may mga nights talaga na parang, ‘My God, gusto ko mag-perform sa O Bar talaga tapos gusto ko full production.’”
“Nag-isip ako kasi since it’s Pride Month and gusto ko magregalo sa community, parang magpeperform ako kahit walang bayad. Okay lang.”
During a press conference for her film ‘Marupok A+,’ Maris addressed her new status as a gay icon. “Hindi ko naman in-expect na hahantong ako sa ganito. Nu’ng 2020 kasi, aaminin ko ah, nung start pa lang nung career ko sa industriya mahiyain talaga ako. Hindi ako makapagsalita, hindi ako makapag-no, opo lang ako nang opo. Hindi ako makapag-express kung sino ako. Basically, alam mo yung totoo ka namang mahiyain? Ikaw naman yun. But you evolve, eh.”
“And especially nu’ng pandemic, ang dami nating pinagdaanan na iba iba di ba? And nag-cling on ako sa happiness ko while watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, watching Lady Gaga music videos. Pero guys, bata pa lang ako naunuod na ako ng America’s Next Top Model. So I think it’s really in me na maging makulit, kuwela, ganito.”
“Ganito talaga ako and then nung pandemic na-appreciate ko talaga yung mga drag queens, yung story nila. Hindi lang sila performers, ang dami nilang pinagdaanan.”
Maris shared how the pandemic deepened her appreciation for drag queens and their stories. “Ang daming hugot sa buhay, discrimination, even from their own parents. And sobrang na-touched talaga ako and doon ko din na-explore yung art na grabe, ang ke-creative nila. And ang ta-talented nila and they’re totally supported lalo na du’n sa America. Grabe yung support. And I didn’t know na merong ganung community dito sa Pilipinas until nagkaroon ng Drag Race Philippines.”
Expressing her affection for the LGBTQIA+ community, Maris said, “Natuwa ako. Parang I felt so happy, genuinely happy when I’m around these people. Kasi napaka-welcoming nila sa kung ano ka, kung outspoken ka, kung mahiyain ka, kung ano man ang ugali mo, welcome na welcome sa community na ito. I love the LGBTQIA+ community. I love the gays, sobra. Hindi ko pa naman siguro deserve yung gay icon. Ha-hahahaha! Nahihiya ako! Thankful lang ako. Thankful ako sa support nila at mahal na mahal ko sila. And supportado kos sila sa lahat ng pinaglalaban nila sa buhay.”
Regarding her movie ‘Marupok A+,’ which stars Royce Cabrera and EJ Jallorina, Maris emphasized its importance. “But totoo yung nararamdaman nila and with this movie, sana maenlighten ng maraming tao na to be kinder to other people, especially to our LGBTQIA+ community and the trans people.”
‘Marupok A+’ is still showing in Ayala Malls cinemas.