“Maris Racal: ‘Yes, We Are Together with Daniel Padilla’ – But the Truth About the Child Issue in the Viral Photo Was Clarified”

A revelation that shocked the entire showbiz world broke this week after actress Maris Racal officially confirmed that she and Daniel Padilla are engaged . But along with the exciting news, Maris also quickly clarified the issue regarding a child in a viral photo — which allegedly caused speculation and intrigue on social media.

Admitting that “We Are”

In a recent interview, Maris Racal openly admitted that she and Daniel Padilla have been officially dating for over a month . According to the actress, they have been thinking about when the right time to announce it to the public, especially since both of them are high-profile names in the industry.

“We just felt like we were ready to share this,” Maris said. “We don’t want to hide it, but we also want to protect the relationship while it’s still early.”

The confirmation immediately heated up social media, especially since many of Daniel’s fans were surprised to find that Maris was the actor’s new inspiration after his long-standing breakup with his former love team.

Viral Photo and the ‘Son’ Issue

Along with the confession, a photo of Maris on a plane , with a baby in her lap, immediately sparked intrigue. Speculation spread online that this could be “their and Daniel’s child” or a “love child” that is supposedly hidden.

Maris immediately answered this in the same interview, and clarified the real story behind the photo.

“I want to clarify: that is not our child. That is not my child either. The child in the picture is the child of my friend who was with me on the trip,” he explained.

According to the actress, being caring for children comes naturally to her, and at that moment on the plane, her friend simply left the child with her for a moment while she organized her belongings. “There’s no deep meaning to this. There’s no secret. It was just a candid moment taken by a passenger.”

When Romance Began to Emerge

Back to the more exciting part of the news—Maris also shared how the deeper connection between her and Daniel began. She said it didn’t happen right away, but it started during the taping of a project where they often talked, joked, and eventually, got to know each other personally.

“DJ is very sincere. He’s not in a hurry. I saw his effort not only as an artist but as a real person,” said Maris.

When Daniel started courting her, she admitted to being surprised. In her mind, Daniel had been an unreachable crush since she was a teenager. But as time went on, she saw that her former idol had a depth, respect, and kindness that made her truly fall in love.

“He used to be just a dream. Now, he’s here by my side—and he loves me,” Maris added.

Why Was It Kept Secret?

Like many celebrity couples, Maris and Daniel chose to keep their relationship private for the first month. According to Maris, this was not out of shame or fear, but for the sake of their emotional well-being.

“In showbiz, your every move is watched. So even though we’re happy, we thought it would be better if only we knew while we were still starting out.”

But because of the power of social media and the marites around them, it was inevitable that news would spread. So when the rumors and questions started to spread, they decided to tell the truth rather than let it grow in a wrong way .

Public Reaction

It’s undeniable that some regretted the pairing of Daniel and his ex , but many were more excited about the new phase of the actor’s life. Especially when fans learned how long Maris had been admiring Daniel.

“She’s like a fan who became a girlfriend. It’s thrilling,” commented a netizen.

Some said, “It’s rare to have a story like this—that your idol can also be your inspiration in real life.”

No Plans for Baby, But There Are Plans for Tomorrow

Maris also clarified that she and Daniel do not have children , and they have no plans to start a family right now . Instead, they are focusing on their personal growth and careers.

“We’re in a happy phase now. It feels like a new beginning, and we’re taking things one step at a time,” said Maris.

They are also open to working together on a project if necessary, but they say that the strength of their relationship behind the camera is more important to them. “I hope it lasts. Not just for months, but hopefully years and more,” Maris said.

Finally, a Reminder from Maris:

“If it’s for you, even if it’s your idol, destiny will give it to you.”

And in the case of Maris Racal and Daniel Padilla, it seems that the saying is true:
“Sometimes, the crush you only watch on TV will also be your partner in real life.”