Stars of the upcoming limited series The Goodbye Girl–Rico Blanco and Maris Racal, for the first time, opened up on Wednesday, February 2 at a zoom press con on how their relationship started.
The couple denied the assumptions that their romance began when they collaborated for the first time in the 2019 single Abot Sa Langit.
“Well sa akin naman at that time wala naman akong any assumptions or kung ano ang mangyari. Kinilig lang ako sa fact na naka-collab ko si Rico, as Rico Blanco, yung isa sa mga idol ko sa OPM.
“Yun lang po talaga yung kilig ko wala na po, anything more, wala na po,” Racal said during the show’s virtual media conference.
Blanco also stressed that it was not during their first-ever project.
The musician pointed out that he was very professional while he was working with his now-girlfriend.
“It’s parang little by little eh and I think it was somewhere after… definitely not the first time I met her, definitely not when we’re working on the song and recording.
“I take pride kasi in my professionalism in the studio no matter if I think the person I’m working is attractive or not, or even on set when I’m acting or ano, I take pride in my professionalism.”
He then clarified that their relationship reached a new level after their collaboration.
“I think it’s sometime after we’re done working on the song. I think sa mga talks namin siguro,” he explained.
The former Rivermaya vocalist also shared how lively Racal is as a girlfriend.
“Ang gusto ko kay Maris is ano eh, she doesn’t even realize it but nakaka-happy yung vibe niya,” shared Blanco.
He added, “I think it’s normal to them na magkakapatid because I hang out with the sisters also and the family and even with Maris’s mom. That’s the vibe there eh parang barkada, same vibe like how you hang out with friends. It’s really like that kahit kaming dalawa lang.”
The singer-songwriter also admitted that by having Racal around, he was able to bring out the best version of himself.
“It brings out the best in me, yung positive side ko nalalabas din. Kasi minsan nakakalimutan ko din na I’m playful pala, you know, there’s a bit of child-like, yung fun in every person and she brings it out.”
So when should a relationship have labels?
The couple also weighed in on the discussion of when to determine whether a relationship should be considered serious or not.
Racal noted that there are actually signs leading to the time when to pop the question.
“Para sa akin ano, hahaha… ‘pag marami ka nang nakikita na signals and kapag marami na siyang naipakita na gestures. Kapag sweet siya, ‘pag parang boyfriend na siya, that’s when you ask kasi tama lang din na alam mo kung saan kayo.”
Blanco agreed, adding that communication is important in determining the status of a relationship.
“Tama ang sinabi ni Maris but to me, more important than the label is kung ano ang usapan niyong dalawa na more than just a label. Kasi minsan merong mag-boyfriend girlfriend pero even though sa label na ‘yon, ano ba yung nasa usapan natin.”
The two revealed their relationship in public in May 2021.
In the meantime, they will be working for the first time in The Goodbye Girl with lead stars Angelica Panganiban and JC de Vera. It also includes Loisa Andalio, Barbie Imperial, Elisse Joson, RK Bagatsing, Joshua Colet, Ronnie Alonte, and Turs Daza.
The series is based on the book with a similar title by Noreen Capili and is directed by Derick Cabrido, with Dreamscape Entertainment and Clever Minds co-producing it.
Catch The Goodbye Girl on iWantTFC this February 14.
