Maris Racal looks back on her life before showbiz, audition for “PBB All In”

With how she has been so booked and busy ever since she rose to stardom following her 2nd Big Placer finish in the “Pinoy Big Brother All In” more than a decade ago, there’s definitely no doubt that Maris Racal is one of the most successful stars of her generation. Through the years, she’s able to showcase how a multifaceted and well-rounded artist she is, for she’s not just a brilliant actress but also a talented performer, singer, composer, and musician. 

However, did you know that even though she’s a gifted artist, Maris was actually not keen on becoming an artista when she was still a kid? If not for her supportive mom, Leony Racal, who pushed her to join various pageants and competitions, as well as her siblings who encouraged and supported her to audition for “PBB,” we wouldn’t have seen the ever-shining star that she has been at present.

And Maris recounted that exciting phase in her life during her highly anticipated guesting in ABS-CBN Entertainment’s “Kuan On One,” wherein she enthusiastically looked back on her simple life back at her hometown in Tagum City, Davao del Norte and her memorable “PBB All In” audition that eventually brought her to fame. 

Maris’ simple childhood in Tagum City

They began with Maris’ childhood, wherein she imparted that while she and her siblings grew up in Tagum, both their parents are actually from Cebu. She also debunked the rumors about her family being wealthy even before she joined “PBB,” saying that her parents were just well-off enough to have a house of their own and to send her and her siblings to school, yet they were never extravagantly rich.

With how eloquent she is in speaking in Tagalog and English (and even in Italian, perhaps), many are unaware that Maris is indeed a proud Bisdak. And she was able to prove it via her lighthearted and insightful conversation with host Kuantie Melai Cantiveros, as they discussed how Bisaya girls like them are always fierce and ready.  

She may be good in getting along with different people in the industry—from the utility crew to her fellow artists—as mentioned by the host, but the “Incognito” star actually used to be very shy during her schoolgirl days in Tagum. Although she became bold, loud, and bubbly growing up, she recoiled to being introverted on her first few years in Manila, as she admitted to getting shocked by the dynamics of showbiz. 

“Batang simbahan kasi ako. Eskuwelahan, bahay, gano’n lang ang buhay ko noon. So, noong nag-‘PBB’ ako, saka paglabas ko ng ‘PBB,’ doon na ako na-shock sa mga culture sa show business,” Maris explained in Bisaya. 

Maris’ unforgettable PBB audition

As Kuantie Melai veered their conversation to her “PBB” journey, Maris revealed that it was really her Mama who pushed her to audition since it had been her dream to become a star. Maris went on to share that her Mama Leony, who’s a big Nora Aunor fan, always wanted to perform onstage and in events—despite being not invited sometimes—back when she was still in Cebu. 

However, she didn’t have the chance to fulfill that aspiration for she lacked confidence back then due to her morena complexion. But that had always been at the back of her mind. That’s why when Maris was born, her Mama Leony kept saying ever since she was still little that she would become an artista someday. 

“Grabe kasi ‘yong intuition ni Mama. Kaya kapag may problema ako, lalapitan ko agad siya. Grabe ‘yong kutob niya, ‘yong feelings niya. So, bata pa lang [ako], lagi na niyang sinasabing, ‘mag-aartista ‘to. Iba talaga siya, nagshi-shine siya’,” Maris related in Bisaya.

Thus, her Mama Leony would compel her to join auditions when she was in high school, even though she repeatedly told her that she didn’t want to since she rather be mysterious back then. Her constant refusal resulted in an argument between them on the morning of her “PBB” audition because she really didn’t want to go. Aside from she wanted to rest since it was the day after their final exams in school, Maris knew that it was impossible for her to get accepted. 

Her mother went on to have an intense, long dramatic rant, which prompted Maris’ older sister to approach her and advise her to go to the audition, so she couldn’t say anything to her after that because she already gave it a shot. Since she was very annoyed that day, she didn’t bother to get all dolled up and just wore whatever she grabbed from her closet. Before she and her sister left, her brother handed to her their father’s guitar and advised her to sing for possible extra points for her.

Maris suddenly had a change of heart upon reaching the mall and seeing the multitude of people who wanted to make it to “PBB,” and was eventually eager to fight for a spot, too. She went on to recall that her competitive sister even taught her how to introduce herself to the talent scoutss. In the end, she made it to the top 50 of that audition and the rest, as they say, is history.