Maris Racal on local athletes: ‘I hope there’s more support for them’

After the successful theatrical run of her film Sunshine, Maris Racal said she was proud of the feedback they received about her film with director Antonette Jadaone.

“The main goal of the film was to spread awareness, to get more people to be passionate about the message of the film. So I think we did it. We did that part. We took active, baby steps and nagawa natin paunti unti. And we’re going to get there,” she said.

The film, which tells the story of a young gymnast named Sunshine who faces a life-changing decision after she discovers she is pregnant while preparing for the tryouts of the national team, sheds light on issues like having to be faced with the country’s restrictive population control laws as well as the struggles that Pinoy athletes go through. Maris also reacted to the buzz that her film should be considered as the country’s bet for international film representation.

“Wala akong masabi but thank you to everyone for saying that. It’s a big compliment. Honestly, I’m still over the moon. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. Hindi pa rin siya nag-si-sink in. But nag-si-sink in na yung happiness. I’m just really, really busy right now promoting it. But I’m very thankful sa lahat ng nanuod,” she added.

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During the launch event of the Maya Black Credit Card, Maris also shared her message for local athletes. “For the athletes, I really support them in a way na I hope there’s more support for them. Hindi lang yun papalakpakan dahil kailangan palakpakan, dahil may na-achieve na. It’s really about financial support while training while they’re young. Kasi while training for Sunshine, namulat ako na marami pang puwedeng i-improve, including where they live, how they live. So kailangan talaga sinusuportahan natin yung mga athletes natin kasi part din sila ng culture ng PIlipinas,” she shared.

Through her latest film, Maris also hoped it helped encourage more people to return to physically watching movies in theaters again, with a more reasonable cost.

“I’m very, very happy. Agree ako sa presyo. Parang kailangan abot kaya talaga para mas maraming makanuod. Sana bumalik yung dating culture. I know sanay na tayo mag-stay na sa bahay ngayon but iba pa rin pag manuod ng pelikula,” she said.