MANILA -- Two months after getting tied up in a controversy involving her on-screen partner Anthony Jennings, Maris Racal is slowly picking up the pieces and bouncing back.

“Right now, I am more focused in the spiritual aspect of my life”, Maris told ABS-CBN News before her departure for Germany to attend the Berlinale Film Festival for her movie ‘Sunshine’.

“I feel like I am more in tuned with God now. Just be present wherever I am. Like right now, I’m here being with you, a hundred percent.”

She said channeled her energies to regain her well-being. She also detoxed herself from social media.

“Yes, nagbundok ako. I wrote songs. I did a lot of things that could help me with my mental health,” Maris said. 

At the height of the controversy, Maris and Anthony were unable to participate in the promo leg of their MMFF movie ‘And the breadwinner is…’ with lead actress Vice Ganda. When Maris guested on It’s Showtime, the actress apologized to Vice for not being able to help promote the film back in December. Maris revealed that Vice reached out to her and checked up on her during that challenging time.

“They made sure I am okay. The priority was to really focus on my well-being. Nagte-text naman kami, she reached out to me, she loves me, I really appreciate it a lot,” Maris said. 

Now the question is: how are Maris and Anthony on the set of ‘Incognito’?

“Right now sa set, we’ve been really supportive of each other when it comes to the scenes. Like we see to it that we make the scenes as natural as possible still, like the scenes that we used to do in ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’. Like we still have that energy on set, focus kami sa work ngayon,” she said. 

“[We’re] professional,” the actress added. “Like I said, inner work. It’s really best to be in tune with your soul, your spirituality so that it reflects on the outside.”

Asked how their co-actors reacted on set after the controversy, Maris said, “They made sure that we all had fun. Sa ‘Incognito’ naman, nag-resume yung taping namin like as natural as normal as possible.”

Is Maris friends with Anthony? She replied, “We’re good.”

2025 PLANS

Maris said she would focus on "slowing down" and "reflecting" in the first half of the year. 

"Just go with the flow and do my job. Be professional at work. Think forward, looking forward to new projects,” she said of her plans.

The actress added, “Thankful ako sa Maristellers, and netizens who sent me love during the most difficult time of my life. Thankful most especially sa fans na todo pa rin ang suporta sa akin, I really really appreciate that.”

“I don't see the world, black and white, anymore. Really learned a lot. Thankful for my inner circle - my family, my friends, my management who really supported me during tough times. Still recovering but head up,” she said. 

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