"It was the kind of attention I needed at the time" - Maris Racal opens up on how she developed feelings for Anthony Jennings

Filipino singer and actress Maris Racal did an interview with ABS-CBN News to discuss the alleged cheating controversy she found herself in alongside Anthony Jennings.

On Friday, December 6, she claimed that she received attention at a time she was lonely, subsequently leading to the relationship she developed with her Incognito co-star. This comes after Jennings’ ex-girlfriend Jamela Villanueva took to social media to share screenshots of text message exchanges between Jennings and Racal.

Maris Racal stated in the interview with teary eyes that she wanted to take “accountability for everything.” She went on to say “sorry” and that the alleged affair began in June, when she “was in a very dark place.” The actress added that she let her emotions get the best of her:

"I was lonely and I was getting attention from Anthony. It was the kind of attention I needed at the time.”

At the time of the alleged affair, Maris Racal was in a relationship with Rivermaya singer Rico Blanco. However, the duo called it quits in July, following the alleged cheating scandal. Addressing the same, Racal said:

“I knew I was wrong. I came clean right away. I told my ex everything and admitted my mistakes. We broke up, which was not easy for me.”

Jennings was in a relationship with Villanueva for seven years before it came to an end.

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“He would be very sweet to me” - Maris Racal opens up about the alleged affair with Anthony Jennings

The 27-year-old actress shared that the alleged affair began when she was in a very “vulnerable and lonely place.” She claimed that she fell for Anthony Jennings while they were shooting their Incognito series.

Speaking about the time they spent together, Racal said:

“He would be very sweet to me. He would be such a gentleman to me. He would say things to me. He would tease me on the set in front of other people. He would tell all the people who were close to me that he was single. I was confident to act in a certain way around him on the set. Because in the eyes of the people there, we were both single.”

Maris Racal went on to explain how their connection developed, particularly after their work trip to Italy, where they were filming the aforementioned show. Racal explained that while on the way back from Italy:

“It was my birthday and we were stuck at the airport all day. He said sweet things and made promises.”

She then shared that after learning about Jennings and Villanueva’s supposed breakup (which had not occurred), she urged Jennings to post an official statement on social media regarding the same.

However, he refused to do so. Speaking about what she told Jennings, Racal revealed in the interview:

“Because in the eyes of the public, you are taken. But I know that you’re not. You were supposed to be very sweet to me. When are you going to release a statement? He would tell me he was waiting for the right moment.”

Racal went on to finally apologize to her fans for her personal life being aired out in the public. She stated:

“I don’t want to play the victim here. I did commit a mistake. And I want to say sorry for the people I hurt. Most especially, I’m very sorry. I’m truly sorry to the people who supported me. For 10 years.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Jennings released an official statement to Maris Racal and Villanueva.

Apart from starring in Incognito, Jennings and Racal also starred in the film And the Breadwinner Is….