Since her second-place finish in Pinoy Big Brother: All In back in 2014, Maris Racal has proven herself to be one of the country’s most versatile actresses. Throw in any genre or role, and she’ll nail it. In fact, viewers are now in a love-hate relationship with her role as the charming yet maldita Irene Tiu in the teleserye Can’t Buy Me Love. Here’s a compilation of all the moments Maris showed us why she’s a social media sweetheart we didn’t know we needed.

Maris MMK Racal

It’s a rite of passage for any Kapamilya actor to star in a Maalala Mo Kaya (MMK) episode, and Maris boasts several in her filmography. 

But even a talented actress like her had struggling days on set. In an Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast episode hosted by directors Antonette Jadaone and JP Habac, the Can’t Buy Me Love star shared what she did when she was struggling to get the tears rolling during an MMK taping.

“Alam mo, nag-request na talaga ako. Sabi ko: pwede po ba patugtog ng ‘Maalala Mo Kaya?'” Said Maris, prompting peals of laughter.

If that’s not dedication to your job, then we don’t know what is.

Maris (Swiftie Version)

Just when we thought we couldn’t love her more, Maris comes out to prove us wrong. ICYDK, she’s also a big Swiftie. Case in point: this throwback clip on her Instagram, dancing around before watching the Tokyo leg of Taylor Swift’s Reputation tour in 2018. Bakit Backstreet Boys yung kinakanta niya? Hindi rin niya alam.

M is for Maris, giving online sellers a run for their money

Aside from being an endorser, singer, and actress, Maris has added another feat to her resume — an online seller with a lot of sass. 

“Malamang may butas, boots nga eh, sa’n mo ipapasok ‘yung paa mo?!” she yelled in a previous live selling video

See? That’s enough reason for us to buy whatever she’s selling.

Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin: The Musical(?)

Who would’ve thought this scene, which gave birth to the iconic line “Wag mo ‘kong ma-Terry Terry!” Featuring Zsa Zsa Padilla and Maricel Soriano in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin can be a song? Just so you know, Maris did — and with impeccable delivery while strumming a guitar to boot. Ah, her mind!

Stress-free? Hmmm, maybe not

If you have plans of running away from all the stress 2024 might bring, Maris tried, and here’s all she has to say: “Nakakapagod pala.”

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

A meme icon. Always

Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve probably seen Maris’ now-iconic meme of typing on a laptop while crying. It’s an all-too-familiar scene we’ve all starred in, and guess what? The OG meme recently got a facelift! And yes, it still has that magic of leaving us in stitches. 

Maris versus an ongoing construction

All Maris wants is to get through her video message in peace, but the non-stop construction noise playing in the background keeps stealing the spotlight. Can you guess who won?

‘Walang laman’

She’s gorgeous, talented, and has a rockstar boyfriend, yet her self-deprecating humor always gets us.: