Czarina Faith Abuso

Peachy Mabunga, Irene Tiu, Gab Rivera: Maris Racal’s teleserye characters that made us love her through the years

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>With how extremely talented, impressively versatile, and awesomely brave she is in taking on interesting and diverse roles, there’s definitely no doubt that Maris Racal is one of the biggest stars of her generation.</p><p>Let us first revisit Maris’ stellar teleserye journey through the years via this episode of Kapamilya Update. </p><p>Fresh off her “<em>Pinoy Big Brother All In</em>” 2nd Big Placer finish in 2014, she immediately scored an acting project via the family drama series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-2014s-hawak-kamay-14687" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Hawak Kamay</em></u></strong></a>,” wherein she played the supporting character Wendy. </p><p>The following year, she endeared us as the vivacious and congenial girl named Junalyn in the daytime inspirational teleserye “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-glam-shots-of-oh-my-g-cast-2015-0322" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Oh My G</em></u></strong></a>!” She also joined the cast of “<em>Ningning</em>” in 2015, wherein she took on the role of Niña Buenaflor, the tender yet palaban teenage friend of the titular character played by then-child star Jana Agoncillo.</p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/muQr_siITm4" title="Oh My G!: Tour" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In 2016, she once again charmed viewers as Jenny, the obedient younger sister of lead character Wilma (Pokwang) in the comedy-drama series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/4/28/throwback-pokwang-and-melai-in-we-will-survive-2016-0031" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>We Will Survive</em></u></strong></a>.”</p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xuKne99KJFs" title="Kapamilya Toplist: 12 Most &#x27;Kilig&#x27; Moments of Maris and McCoy in We Will Survive" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>She then had the opportunity to take part in the long-running primetime series “<em>FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</em>” in 2017, as she played the supporting role of Rona Carreon. Her appearance may be limited, but her character was pivotal in the plot twist of the first season, for it was she who inspired her father, Colonel Roy Carreon (Art Acuña), to speak up against the corrupt and wicked Tuazon family.</p><p>It was also in that same year when Maris got cast in the afternoon soap opera “<em>Hanggang Saan</em>,” wherein she captivated us as the adorable Nessa, the love interest of one of the main characters, Domeng (Yves Flores). </p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnUtQ2JCack" title="Hanggang Saan: Domeng proposes to Nessa | EP 103" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In 2019, she truly amused Kapamilya viewers with her portrayal of the sassy and fierce Peachy Ann Mabunga in the primetime family soap opera “<em>Pamilya Ko</em>.” </p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIzEbv0F4mM" title="7 times Maris Racal wowed us with her acting skills in Pamilya Ko | Kapamilya Toplist" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The stellar actress then did two iWant original series in 2022. From playing the role of Ria, who yearns to be loved back as well by the man with whom she has an unrequited affection in “<em>The Goodbye Girl</em>,” Maris went on to endear us as Jen, the spunky young woman who was moving on from her breakup with her boyfriend in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/htmo2022/articles-news/7-tips-to-overcome-heartbreak-according-to-how-to-move-on-in-30-days-17563" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>How to Move on in 30 Days</em></u></strong></a>.”</p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4tjwsmYtr9U" title="Jen and Franco are in a relationship for real! | How To Move On in 30 Days (w/ English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>A year later, she further earned everyone’s admiration in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/cantbuymelove/articles-videos/15-signs-irene-falling-for-snoop-in-cant-buy-me-love-22019" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Can’t Buy Me Love</em></u></strong></a>” through her impeccable portrayal of the now-iconic Irene Tiu. Her versatility as an actress indeed shone in this series, as she didn’t only get to showcase her dramatic chops but also her flair as a kontrabida and a comedienne. </p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D4AYvXfcB_o" title="15 times Maris Racal showed how effective she is as a villain in Can&#x27;t Buy Me Love | Toplist" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>And this 2025, Maris’ star has indeed glowed brighter as she entered her action star era, starting off with the action-drama series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Incognito</em></u></strong></a>.” She totally astounded us with her portrayal of the femme fatale Gabriela “<em>Gab</em>” Rivera, who is not only fluent in speaking a few languages but also skilled in doing stunts and handling weapons.</p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Soh15d5OH30" title="15 scenes that proved Maris Racal&#x27;s undeniable talent in acting in Incognito | Kapamilya Toplist" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Just a couple of months after that series concluded, she’s poised to amaze ardent Kapamilya fans anew with her appearance in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</em></u></strong></a>,” wherein she’s expected to showcase her surefire acting performance and action prowess as the optimistic and gutsy neophyte policewoman Paula “<em>Ponggay</em>” Garcia. </p><div><iframe width="1109" height="632" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1J-atRUA_Pk" title="Ponggay stresses the purpose of her duty to Hector | FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Is Maris’ Ponggay going to be a friend or a foe of Coco Martin’s character, Tanggol? Let us all find out by watching “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</em></u></strong></a>” weeknights at 8 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5 and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>iWant</em></u></strong></a>.</p>

<p>Let us first revisit Maris’ stellar teleserye journey through the years via this episode of Kapamilya Update.</p>

Let us first revisit Maris’ stellar teleserye journey through the years via this episode of Kapamilya Update.