Maris Racal Instagram – As Maris Racal reviews her shots so far, she wisecracks, “Paano siya grumaduate?” referring to the tiny version of herself on screen who’s balancing on a stool and unleashing a series of frankly slayful yearbook-esque photos. She isn’t just a graduate, she’s got high honors. She goes from shy and bookish, to fierce and fearless, back to sweet and bubbly in a matter of seconds. It’s immediately evident, then, why she’s able to pull off a role like Irene Tiu on Can’t Buy Me Love. This is the same girl who’s become a meme several times over for treating an ordinary driveway like a catwalk and typing on her laptop in defiant tears—both while she’s looking all dolled up. She can be sosyal, she can be mataray, but she can also make fun of herself and be vulnerable in turn. But this is also the same girl who first caught eyes and hearts by being her realest self on Pinoy Big Brother. Her partner Anthony Jennings recalls his first impression of her: “Nakita ko kung paano siya makisama sa ibang tao, mabait talaga siya.” “Sino bang mas funny sa atin?” Maris wonders, and Anthony immediately says it’s her. “Ako? ‘Di, ikaw.” He insists, “Mas marami kang hirit. Pamatay ‘yong hirit niya, ako, pang-jejemon.” But then he turns back to her when he realizes: “Pang-jejemon din pala mga hirit mo!” “Jejemon din ako, ha!” Maris agrees. “Hoy, wait lang, kung ma-meet mo ako noong high school ako, mas jejemon pa ako sa ’yo.” And Anthony only says, “Nakita ko naman!” No doubt referring to the young Maris who bravely entered the Big Brother House. “Napanood ko na!” 📸: @shairaluna #CantBuyMeLove #CBML #MarisRacal #AnthonyJennings #Snorene