As we all know by now, Maris Racal and her now ex-boyfriend Rico Blanco broke fans' hearts after the actress confirmed their separation during a press conference. The two dated for almost five years, according to Maris. But it wasn't just fans. Maris' former love team partner Iñigo Pascual also shared his thoughts after her recent breakup.
While talking to the press during the launch of his EP, The Heartbreak Trilogy, Iñigo expressed his heartfelt sentiments for Maris, saying that he watched her breakup announcement. "I feel for her. I know it's tough, but I see it in a good light. The way she talks about it, she's getting to know herself and she’s choosing herself. It's something that I'm very proud of [about] her," the artist told media, as quoted by Inquirer.net.
For Iñigo, Maris did a good job of choosing herself, despite the pain it brought her. Iñigo added, "It's always hard to turn a page and chapter, but it's out of a good heart."
He further noted that the way Maris explained their breakup showcased how strong she is as an individual and not everyone can actually do what she did for their relationship. "Her expressing that it's not a third party and anything else, it's her, and it's something only the strongest people can do. Minsan, mas mahirap piliin ang sarili mo kaysa sa mga bagay na gusto mo."
Iñigo admitted that it's been a while since he was in touch with Maris. However, this didn't stop him from publicly stating that he was happy for her. "I'm proud of her. I wanna tell her that I'm happy for her and that she's choosing to be strong for herself. Hindi madali 'yun," he proclaimed.
Maris Racal and Iñigo Pascual's past connection
Maris and Iñigo were once love team partners. The two started their love team career as, MarNigo, when they joined the reality show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) in 2014. If you can remember, Iñigo's dad, Piolo Pascual, even visited the PBB house and joked about Maris and Iñigo's possible romance.
During an interview on Tonight With Boy Abunda in 2017, Maris clarified that they were not officially dating. However, they were "exclusively talking," whatever that meant at the time for the two celebrities.
Two years later, the two would clarify once again that they never became an official couple outside their love team. Maris became vocal about the love-team culture in Philippine entertainment. The actress reacted to people asking why they never posted each other on their social media accounts, further emphasizing that she never dated Iñigo.
Maris shared in the 2019 interview, "Siguro hindi lang namin iniisip na kailangan talaga i-post ang isa't-isa. Kinlarify naman namin ni Inigo na never naging kami. Sinabi naman namin 'yon in public na hindi naman kami. So 'yon lang talaga."
Furthermore, PEP.ph also reported in 2019 that although Maris fell in love with the fellow actor, it did not translate to anything exclusive and romantic for the both of them. "Masasabi ko naman na minahal din po," Maris confessed when asked about her feelings for Iñigo.
She further underscored, "Nale-label kami as ex talaga, but 'yung relationship namin...never natuloy sa naging kami." She reasoned that they were both focused on their careers at the time.
At present, Maris is gearing up for more projects with her new love team with Anthony Jennings. Meanwhile, Iñigo had his run for the international series, Monarch in 2022 before releasing his new EP this year.
