What’s bringing Maris Racal joy these days?
Three words: Gymnastics. Work. Meditation.
“I’m doing a lot of gymnastics training—stretching, flexibility, yun yung pampa-happy ko ngayon,” beamed Maris, who initially took up the sport for her role in the film Sunshine, directed by Antoinette Jadaone.
The movie is premiering at the Toronto Film Festival on Friday, September 13, 2024.
Aside from Sunshine, Maris is currently working alongside comedian and host Vice Ganda on the movie And the Breadwinner Is…, an entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
Maris described the experience of making the movie thus far as “nakaka-happy talaga."
Read: Maris at Anthony, di lang pangdekorasyon sa Vice Ganda movie
MARIS RACAL'S SOURCE OF HAPPINESS
Another source of happiness for Maris nowadays is meditation.
She finds meditation beneficial for maintaining mental and emotional balance, and for recharging her energy after long hours and days of work.
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“Lagi akong pumupunta sa park. Sa UP [University of the Philippines], to be exact, para mag-meditate. So yun yung ginagawa ko ngayon for serotonin overload," shared Maris.
Read: Maris clarifies Anthony not involved in her breakup with Rico
"I USED TO BE SO INSECURE"
Maris was recently introduced as the endorser for the beauty brand Dazzle Me in a launching event on September 6, 2024, at Robinsons Antipolo.
As the new face of a make-up brand, Maris reveals that her views on beauty have evolved in an industry that can be both glamorous and superficial.
“When I was younger, it was so different kasi I used to be so insecure," Maris, who turns 27 on September 22, told the attending media and audience.
"Alam mo na, pag bata ka, lagi mong naku-compare yung self mo sa ibang tao.
“But now that I'm more mature and marami na akong experience sa life and sa career ko, I realize that there is no one beauty and one mold that you have to fit yourself in.”
As cliché as it may sound, Maris recognizes that beauty is indeed skin deep and largely a matter of mindset.
After all, beauty is subjective and, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder.
“Actually, maraming iba't ibang uri ng kagandahan. At hawak mo ang kagandahan mo. You just have to fill your mind with beautiful words and beautiful thoughts," Maris pointed out.
“And kapag paniwalaan mo at panghawakan mo yung mga thoughts and words na iyon, magre-reflect siya sa kung paano mo makita yung sarili mo and how you see other people as well.”
MARIS RACAL ADVOCATES FOR SELF-LOVE
Even celebrities have days when they don’t feel confident about their appearance.
Maris also has days like these: “Kasi sa trabaho, you have to present yourself in a very presentable manner. And may mga days talaga na hindi ka okay."
So how does Maris handle bouts of self-doubt?
This is where the power of self-affirmation becomes crucial. Maris has learned to use this tool to lift her spirits on days when she's not feeling her best.
Maris would tell herself, “I’m fabulous!” and “Maganda ako!” to lift her spirits and counter negative emotions.
“Nakakatulong siya,” affirmed Maris, who, aside from singing and acting, is known to netizens as the “Meme Queen” for her humorous and viral skits online.
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Maris encourages young women to embrace their individuality and resist being burdened by others' expectations of how they should look or behave.
“I just want to say that there is no shell that you need to break," she stressed.
"Kasi itong iniisip mong shell na ito is just societal pressure. You are actually free and you can do whatever you want."
Read: Maris Racal: "Pinagkakitaan ko mga ginawa sa akin."
It's perfectly okay for Maris not to always know where you're headed on the journey of self-discovery.
“You can express the way you want to express yourself. And if you're still figuring things out for yourself, don't rush it. Enjoy the process,” remarked Maris.
“Kasi yun yung pinaka-exciting time of your life.
"Fini-figure out mo kung sino ka at kung paano mo i-e-express yung sarili mo.
"So, do not rush yourself. You have your own path, and just focus on it.”