Kapamilya actress Maris Racal hopes to spark crucial conversations and inspire people to be more compassionate through her upcoming film Sunshine. 

As the movie’s local premiere draws near, Maris spoke about the impact she wishes the film would have on its audience during her recent guest appearance in the podcast of content creator Yani Villarosa, popularly known as Yani Hatesu.  

“Sobrang powerful ng mga movies. May mga movies na magbabago ng mundo mo, magbabago ng outlook mo sa [buhay]. So, I’m wishing na ‘pag napanood ‘to ng tao, na magkaroon sila ng compassion sa mga kagaya ni Sunshine,” she said. 

According to IMDb, the movie revolves around the story of “a  young gymnast who discovers she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, she meets a mysterious girl who eerily talks and thinks like her."

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Maris, who interviewed women with first-hand experiences as part of her preparation for role, emphasized how important it is to treat them with compassion. 

READ: Why Maris Racal was given the role in 'Sunshine' according to the director

“Hindi naman black and white ‘yung mundo,” she said. “May mga gray areas na parang hindi mo masasabing tama, hindi mo masasabing mali. It’s just that kailangan mo lang magkaroon ng compassion sa tao, and not immediately condemn these women. Kasi [dito sa movie], mapapakita talaga ‘yung  struggle, inner chaos, and parang ‘yung psyche ng batang babaeng pinagdadaanan ‘yun.”

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The 27-year-old actress also hopes the movie, which explores sensitive topics like teenage pregnancy, abortion and women’s reproductive health, will encourage people to be open in discussing these matters.  

READ: Maris Racal holds ‘Sunshine’ advance screening with friends and colleagues ahead of PH release

“Ang sa akin lang naman, ang goal lang naman ng movie na to is to start a conversation na hindi siya mawawala, na hindi siya last option na i-tackle ng mga tao or like people na may power to make laws,” she said.  

“Kailangang may ongoing conversations about it. Hindi ko naman sinasabing ito yung way, but one of the baby steps na we have to do,” she added. 

Written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone, Sunshine is set to premiere on July 23 exclusively in SM Cinemas nationwide. 

READ: Maris Racal's 'Sunshine' wins 2 awards at Austin film fest

This July, the movie bagged two major awards at the 2025 Austin Asian American Film Festival in Texas, the Narrative Feature Jury Award and the Narrative Feature Audience Award   

Last February, it won the Crystal Bear for Best Film at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.