With how she’s able to amuse and impress us with her compelling portrayal of the bratty, crabby, and dull-witted Irene Tiu in the well-loved primetime series Can’t Buy Me Love, there’s definitely no doubt that Maris Racal and her highly popular character are now among the most well-loved figures in the local entertainment scene at present.

Those who were able to follow her journey ever since her notable stint in Pinoy Big Brother All In in 2014 have probably found her adorable not just because of her natural beauty and charm, but of her contagious sunny disposition and promising musical talent as well. That’s why, her “Singing Sunshine of Davao” moniker befitted her so well.

After her 2nd big placer finish in the reality show, she gradually became a household name through her slew of appearances in teleseryes and other TV programs and movies, through which she’s able to hone and showcase her chops as an actress and a singer-songwriter. And now, she’s named as one of the new breeds of local artists to watch out for.

However, she might have already played a bunch of roles onscreen, but it’s really on social media that Maris is able to exhibit her cheeky and relatable nature, to which many are truly fond of and amused with.

In recent years, she’s among the famous personalities who have been the subject of memes that made us droll on social media. From letting other people poke fun at her, Maris went on to share funny moments of herself as well – either through photos or videos – never failing to charm us with her wit and make us eventually believe that she is already an internet icon. Thus, she’s been hailed as the “Meme Queen.”

And her reach isn’t only limited here in the Philippines, as she had also gone international! In 2021, it can be recalled that her viral clip having a breakdown then a splendid recovery while typing on her laptop was picked up by Thai netizens weeks after it went viral on the PH Twitterverse. It was even used by the local arm of a popular Asian streaming service for one of its social media campaigns for a then-upcoming music awards show.

Because of the many things that she can do – may it be in her life inside and outside showbiz, her supporters initially started to call her “The All-Purpose Queen,” which she also mentioned in her vlogs. And as she currently portrays Irene in Can’t Buy Me Love, Maris went on to earn a new moniker – “The Erna Queen of Primetime TV” – alluding to the little mishaps of her character Irene with dog poop (“erna” being the colloquial term for it), especially every time she bumps into Snoop, played by Anthony Jennings.

While we probably expect Maris to be offended by it (because who would want to be associated with excrement, right?), she’s apparently game with it and has even accepted this new title of hers as seen on her Threads.

Aside from her undeniable wit and admirable game-for-anything attitude, her sunny disposition is one of the qualities of Maris that is something worth admiring about her as well, which is also what made her boyfriend, OPM icon Rico Blanco, fall in love with her. During the presscon of their digital series “The Goodbye Girl” in February 2022, Rico related, “Ang gusto ko kay Maris is she doesn’t even realize it, but nakaka-happy ‘yong vibe niya. It’s something that, I think, is normal to them magkakapatid. Because I hang out with the sisters also and the family, and even with Maris’ mom. And that’s the vibe—parang barkada.”

He added, “So, I think, [her] vibe brings out the best in me. ‘Yong positive side ko nalalabas kasi nakakalimutan ko din na I’m playful pala. There’s a bit of childlike fun in every person and then she brings that out.”

We certainly love a queen who has a positive outlook in life, is witty and sensible, as well as is not afraid to make fun of herself, right? Go through the photos of Maris in this gallery to see some of her photos that show off both her comely and comedic facets!

Catch Maris on Can’t Buy Me Love, weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5 and A2Z.