Kapamilya actress Maris Racal has confirmed her breakup with singer-composer Rico Blanco.

The announcement came during the Star Magic Spotlight event on Friday, where Racal addressed questions about her personal life and her on-screen partnership with Anthony Jennings from ‘Can’t Buy Me Love.’

“Rico and I are over,” Racal stated, her voice filled with emotion. “Ang dami kasing tanong about him and I am tired of smiling and nodding. I’m so scared because If I announce it, it’s real.”

Racal revealed that the separation occurred a few weeks ago, describing the period as some of the “loneliest, emptiest weeks” she has experienced. Despite the breakup, Racal reflected positively on their five-year relationship, calling it full of love and laughter.

“Rico and I, our universe is so beautiful. It was full of love, laughter and music and everything, spontaneity everything. Sa five years namin together, we were always on the same page. Always on the same page. I don’t know what happened to me. Maybe I turned to the next page, saw new perspective sa life. I had a vision of who I want to become, how I want to evolve. So curious about the world, and the truth is I am going through changes and alam naman natin na changes either good or bad and what I hate about change is it’s inevitable. Hindi mo siya matatakasan and wala ka nang ibang gagawin kung ‘di to face it and confront it,” she explained.

She shared that she communicated her evolving feelings to Blanco, who responded with understanding. “I told Rico about it and, I told him my problems my issues sa buhay and he took it like a man,” Racal said.

While she did not delve into the specifics of their separation, Racal emphasized that it was amicable. “It was a very difficult talk because I love him so much. I love him and he loves me din, but I have so many questions about my life and how will I go on sa buhay with him. I have so many questions about me, my sense of self that was so difficult. But it was very polite separation.”

Racal described their relationship as unique and full of understanding. “Up to the very end of our relationship, it was still full of love, full of understanding and Rico is one of a kind. If I could only skip through my 20s you know, but I can’t. I have to face it, I have to sit with my feelings and acknowledge my changes.”

She clarified that her on-screen partner Jennings was not a factor in the breakup. “It’s mainly me and Rico. Mainly me, I’m the issue,” she said.

Racal asked for understanding from the public as she and Blanco move forward. “This is the only time I ever talk about it. And I humbly ask the public to look at us, Rico and I, with understanding and love because we are both grieving. Hindi naman mako-control ‘yung mga opinion ng mga tao, but please don’t direct your hate towards Rico, because he’s too precious for that. If guys want to throw so much, I am ready to take them,” she said.

Blanco and Racal confirmed their relationship in May 2021, following their collaboration on a music single two years prior.