Arzen Rose Dulzura

Maris Racal shares why she admires women in the military: ‘May matinding respeto ako sa mga babae’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Even before she stepped into the role of spy agent Gab Rivera in the primetime series <em>Incognito</em> earlier this year, actress Maris Racal shared just how rigorous the training process all the lead cast members had to go through before they started taping for the show. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLUrXvvy0V6/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A3940120%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>“It was actually pretty long, but it was on and off three months na training, tactical training, hand-to-hand combat — all these things that I haven’t heard before. It was so unfamiliar to me,” she recalled. </p><p>Maris went all in with the training that she ended up with new interests to get into even when the cameras aren’t rolling anymore.</p><p>“So thank you for this project kasi I think I found a new hobby (laughs) and then things din that I’m going to apply in real life,” she added. “Not the killing part. The training part, the discipline, and you know, the widely known masculine hobbies that I want to try.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLVCap4S6na/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A3922081.199999988%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Stepping out of her comfort zone of doing romantic comedies and heavy drama, Maris admitted she really had to adjust to doing a very physical role as well as being part of a male-dominated cast. </p><p>“Every time kasi I step into a role, every time nag-sa-start ako ng character, nangangapa talaga ako at first. Playing that character, habang tumatagal, parang nagkakaroon ako ng deep appreciation for women who thrive in toxic situations, women are so strong in their masculine energy, women who work in a male-dominated society. Sobrang nagkaroon ako ng matinding respeto, malaking respeto sa kanila. Kasi ako, ‘yung experience ko bilang babae dito sa action series, iba eh. May malaking adjustment for me. It’s adjusting to a new genre, ibang kind ng camaraderie, ibang kind of chemistry sa production,” she explained. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/6/26/maris-racal-reveals-how-doing-the-series-incognito-actually-saved-her-0848"><strong><u>READ: Maris Racal reveals how doing the series &#x27;Incognito&#x27; actually ‘saved’ her</u></strong></a></div><p>The talented Star Magic artist also shared how she has a newfound admiration for females who have taken on roles in work environments mostly dominated by men. </p><p>“Sobrang iba siya sa mga drama series. Iba siya sa rom-com na genre. Parang ito may ibang timpla, so nagkaroon ako ng adjustment period. But na-realize ko din, I feel like ganun din sa mga babae sa military, babae na pulis, mga policewomen. IIt doesn’t fit in the usual mold but it’s as beautiful, it’s as powerful, and it’s as human. May matinding respeto ako sa mga babae,” she added. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLUtnTZSB9G/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A3889917.399999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="768" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Watch Maris Racal as agent Gab Rivera in the thrilling episodes which mark the finale run of <em>Incognito</em> weeknights at 8:45 PM on the Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, TFC, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Advance episodes also available on Netflix and iWantTFC.</p>

<p>Incognito actress Maris Racal shares her new realizations about women empowerment after working in her first action series this year.</p>

Incognito actress Maris Racal shares her new realizations about women empowerment after working in her first action series this year.