Dannyka Manangan

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

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Award-winning film and television director Antoinette Jadaone shared why she chose Kapamilya actress Maris Racal as the lead for her film, <em>Sunshine.</em> In a post shared by Project 8 Projects on their official social media accounts earlier this week, the director expressed that Maris had the physicality that was needed for the film.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMH9WpSTVFi/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3858619.3999999985%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" 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>Sunshine (played by Maris) is a young gymnast who discovers that she’s pregnant during the week of her try-outs for the national team. She encounters a mysterious girl (portrayed by Annika Co) who questions her decision on meeting a dealer who sells illegal abortion pills.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/6/28/maris-racal-holds-sunshine-advance-screening-with-friends-and-colleagues-ahead-of-ph-release-2328"><strong>READ: Maris Racal holds ‘Sunshine’ advance screening with friends and colleagues ahead of PH release</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“Bakit si Maris? Kasi wala na talaga akong mahanap. Charing,” the <em>Sunshine</em> director quipped.d</p><p>For Antoinette, the Kapamilya actress had all the physical aspects to perfectly portray Sunshine. Given that Maris can also dance, it was another plus point for the role since she already has the “gracefulness in her movements.”</p><p>“Meron siyang yung physique of a gymnast. So she’s petite, she’s lean, dancer din siya so meron na siyang gracefulness in her movement–– physicality ng isang gymnast na check niya na agad. Siguro yun yung hinahanap ko sa artista na magpla-play ng Sunshine,” Antoinette explained.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLPToMEzkHJ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A3900885%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" 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>Apart from the physical appearance of Maris, the film director added how her talent as an actress as well played an important part in the decision of giving her the titular role. Maris had previously worked with Antoinette in the series <em>The Kangks Show</em> and <em>Simula sa Gitna.</em></p><p>“Yung someone na itre-treat yung scenes based on how she sees it instinctively as an actress,” Antoinette said.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/7/4/maris-racal-admits-wanting-to-give-up-at-one-point-is-this-worth-my-peace-1401"><strong>READ: Maris Racal admits wanting to give up at one point: ‘Is this worth my peace?’</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>“Kadalasan, kapag ang isang artista nabibigyan ng isang role na out of her comfort zone may nabibigay siyang pag arte na masusurprise ka,” she added. </p><p>Meanwhile, <em>Sunshine</em> is set to make its much-awaited premiere in the country this July 23 exclusively in SM Cinemas nationwide. The film was given a rating of R-16 by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). </p>

<p>Antoinette Jadaone, writer and director of 'Sunshine,' shares why Maris Racal was chosen for the titular role.</p>

Antoinette Jadaone, writer and director of 'Sunshine,' shares why Maris Racal was chosen for the titular role.