Maris Racal on international, domestic success of ‘Sunshine’: ‘Love our own’

August 10 ------ “The only way to go international is to go local,” Maris Racal declared while basking in the success of her film “Sunshine,” which is currently in its third week in Philippine cinemas.

Written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone, “Sunshine” tells the story of a gymnast named Sunshine (Racal), who discovers that she is pregnant while preparing to try out for the national gymnastics team. She is forced to decide between her blossoming athletic career and being a mother to her unborn child.

After making the rounds in international film festivals, the film premiered in the Philippines on July 23. The public has warmly received the film and is in its third week of screening. “We premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the film traveled internationally. It hopped from one continent to another, and we won at the Berlinale. We’re very grateful,” she said during a Maya Black media launch in Rockwell, Makati, on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

The actress was joined by her fellow ambassadors, Julia Barretto and Jericho Rosales, who clapped for the film’s success as well. Racal reiterated that “Sunshine” is proof that “loving [one’s] own” is the only way to go international. “It just goes to show that Filipino stories are very well celebrated. The only way to go international is to go local, love our roots, art, stories, and I want to thank everyone for watching ‘Sunshine,’” she said.

Touching on the topic of managing one’s money, Racal said she learned how to be strategic along the way. “Before, I’d see black cards and think, ‘di ko pa level ‘yan (it’s not on my level). But now I have one! It feels like a win. It’s like, hey, I’ve come a long way,” she said. “Money is not just about money or numbers. It’s also about being strategic, so you have to know whom to trust.”

Source: inquirer.net