Maris Racal publicly apologized to Vice Ganda for her absence during the promotions of their Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry, And the Breadwinner Is….
On-Air Apology on ‘It’s Showtime’
Racal took the opportunity to say sorry while appearing on the February 5 episode of It’s Showtime, particularly during the “Hide and Sing” segment.
As she was giving feedback to a contestant, Vice Ganda playfully teased her, calling her by her character’s nickname, Buneng, and jokingly scolding her for joining “adult conversations.”
“Buneng, bakit ka nakikisama sa usapin ng matatanda? Nasaan lipstick mo?” Vice joked.
Racal, playing along, responded:
“Sorry, matanda ka nga.” (Sorry, you are indeed old.)
She then sincerely apologized for her absence:
“Ate, sorry hindi ako nakapag-promote.” (Ate, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to promote.)
Vice Ganda, however, reassured her:
“Okay lang, Buneng. Mas mahalaga ka sa pelikula.” (It’s okay, Buneng. You’re more important than the film.)
Why Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings Were Absent
Racal and her on-screen partner, Anthony Jennings, were largely absent from the film’s promotions, appearing only at the kickoff event on December 1, 2024 at Enchanted Kingdom. They missed:
🚫 Media Conference
🚫 Premiere Night
🚫 MMFF Parade of Stars
🚫 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal
Their absence coincided with a cheating controversy involving Jennings and his non-showbiz ex-girlfriend, Jamela Villanueva, who leaked their private conversations on social media.
Vice Ganda’s Praise for Racal and Jennings
Despite the controversy, Vice Ganda praised the pair, saying their chemistry was undeniable and acknowledging Racal’s talent.
“Maris is very talented. Hindi natin ‘yun pwedeng i-discount or i-disregard.” (We cannot discount or disregard that.)
Upcoming Projects for Racal and Jennings
🔹 Film: Sosyal Climbers (Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana) – Racal and Jennings play wannabe socialites.
🔹 Teleserye: Incognito – Starring Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Daniel Padilla, and Kaila Estrada.
Though her absence sparked discussions, Racal’s lighthearted apology on It’s Showtime appears to have smoothed things over with Vice Ganda and their fans.