Maris Racal is super blooming lately.
While guesting on an August episode of the morning talk show Magandang Buhay, host Melai Cantiveros asked Maris how her boyfriend Rico Blanco makes her feel kilig.
Melai: "Kailan ka pinaka-latest last kinilig?"
Maris: "Every day naman, Ate Melai." Aww.
Melai: "Ano yung mga gestures niya na talagang kinikilig ka?"
Maris: "Ewan ko sa kanya (laughs). Yung ano lang… Madami naman. Simple lang naman kasi si Rico na boyfriend. Parang hindi naman siya yung tipong araw-araw nagbibigay ng bulaklak."
Maris went on to share an example of Rico's simple but sweet ways of making her kilig.
"Every time nagbibigay siya ng flowers, gano'n, kinikilig ako kasi hindi siya gano'n naman, e. Simple lang siya. So every time na may bibigay siya, parang…kilig ako."
"Baka masabunutan ako ng mama ko 'pag napanood niya 'to," Maris joked. "'Ang arte mo sa Magandang Buhay! Hindi ka naman ganyan sa bahay!'"
Maris first confirmed she and Rico were dating in a May 2021 interview with Boy Abunda.
In the same Magandang Buhay episode, Maris revealed that her relationship with Rico started before the pandemic. She also shared their term of endearment for each other.
Melai: "So totoo pala na 'Love is unplanned and unexpected.'"
Maris: "Yes."
Melai: "Pero anong tawagan niyo?"
Maris: "Wala. Joke lang! Um..."
Melai: "Name, name."
Maris: "A, ano… Ate Melai, nakakahiya naman magsabi ng… Ang corny, e!"
Melai: "Kaunti lang 'yon, e! Ang pag-ibig ba is for all ages."
Maris: "Ang corny, Ate Melai, talaga. Ano… (Sounds like) 'Boms.' Yuck (laughs). Kadiri! Kadiri! Para sa 'min lang naman 'yon hindi corny, pero 'pag sabihin ko na pala dito, ang corny pala."
In June 2021, Maris told PUSH that Rico's best qualities are his being "genuine" and "humble."
"I know that he is humble pero hindi ko alam na ibang level pala yung pagka-humble niya. Wala sa utak niya yung status niya sa music industry."
Watch Maris' Magandang Buhay guesting here: