Two months after the premiere of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 entry “And the Breadwinner Is…,” Maris Racal apologized to Vice Ganda for being absent during the film’s promotions.

Racal took the opportunity to apologize when she appeared on the “Hide and Sing” segment of the February 5 episode of “It’s Showtime.”

As she was giving her feedback to one of the segment’s contestants, Vice Ganda playfully called Racal out for butting in adult conversations.

“Buneng, bakit ka nakikisama sa usapin ng matatanda, Buneng. Nasaan lipstick mo, Buneng? Lagi kang sumasali sa usapin ng matatanda (Buneng, why are you barging into conversations meant for adults? Where is your lipstick? You always keep on butting in adult conversations),” Vice Ganda said, referring to the name of Racal’s character.

Racal played along saying, “Sorry, matanda ka nga (you are indeed old).”

“Gusto ko nang magsalita. Ate, sorry hindi ako nakapag-promote (I want to break my silence. Ate, I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to promote),” she said, to which Vice Ganda responded with a laugh.

“Okay lang, Buneng. Mas mahalaga ka sa pelikula (It’s okay, Buneng. You’re more important than the film),” Vice Ganda said.

Racal and  Anthony Jennings were absent in most of the promotions of “And the Breadwinner Is…” as it took place at the height of their cheating controversy after screenshots of their intimate conversations were leaked by Jennings’ non-showbiz ex-girlfriend Jamela Villanueva on social media.

The loveteam, dubbed as MaThon, was only present during the film’s kickoff event on December 1 of last year, which took place at the Enchanted Kingdom. They were notably absent in the media conference, premiere night, MMFF Parade of Stars, and the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal.

Despite the controversy, Vice Ganda spoke highly of Racal and Jennings’ chemistry and work ethics, saying their charm as a pair was “undeniable.”

“Charming naman talaga sila. Nag-work ‘yung kanilang partnership sa kanilang unang mga serye, tsaka magaling talaga (They’re very charming. Their partnership worked in their past projects and they’re really good),” Vice Ganda said of MaThon during the film’s media con last December 2024.

“Maris is very talented, diba? Hindi natin ‘yun pwedeng i-discount or i-disregard (Maris is very talented, right? You cannot discount and disregard it),” he further added.

Racal and Jennings are set to reunite in the upcoming Jason Paul Laxamana-helmed film “Sosyal Climbers,” where they will portray a couple who are wannabe socialites, while their teleserye “Incognito,” with Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Daniel Padilla, and Kaila Estrada is now being shown.