Maris Racal gets featured on a Spotify billboard in New York: 'OMG is this real?'
"Nasa New York ako!" an ecstatic Maris Racal said after learning that she was featured on Spotify’s billboard in Times Square, New York City.
Racal took to Instagram to post a video of her priceless reaction at seeing her face displayed at one of the busiest pedestrian areas and most visited tourist attractions in the world.
"This was the moment I learned that my face is up in Times Square. Like. OMG. IS THIS REAL? I can’t believe nasa New York ako! Honestly, this inspires me to make more music. Thank you everyone, for believing in me," Racal wrote in her caption.
Her proud moment was also shared among her friends and followers.
"Awww soooo happy for you!! PINOY PRIDE, congrats!" Karen Davila commented.
"Congrats Mare! Happy for you!!! Lalo na sa mga success na nangyayari sayo. Deserved na deserved mo yan," one user wrote.
Other commented, "Congratulations, Maris!! It’s a real delight to watch you grow & shine as an all-round artist since I first saw you in PBB, you deserve this and more! Congraaats!"
Racal first rose to prominence in 2014 after she joined Pinoy Big Brother: All-In where she won second place. Aside from being an actress, the 24-year-old OPM singer is also building up an exceptional music career, having started out doing acoustic guitar covers of her favorite songs to creating her own teen-friendly jams and catchy songs.
Aside from Racal, there have been a number of Filipino singers who have had the privilege of being featured at the Spotify EQUAL playlist billboard, which is part of the digital music service's campaign to highlight female artists worldwide.
Nadine Lustre also had her face displayed in The Big Apple back in April last year. Her music career started off when she became the lead vocalist of Pop Girls, a five-member Filipino girl group under Viva Records. She then pursued a solo singing career and frequently collaborated with her former onscreen and real life partner, James Reid.
Julie Ann San Jose also reached one of the pinnacles of her singing career when Spotify put her on their billboard in July last year. It was no big surprise though, as the singer frequently topped the music charts and won several awards, including being the first recipient of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry's Platinum Digital Single Award.
In her caption, she wrote, "Thank you everyone for the undying support and love! Please continue to support all artists from around the world by checking out the Spotify Equal Playlist and listening to the music of all these amazing and talented women."
KZ Tandingan also proudly represented the Philippines when she became the cover artist on the billboard in November last year. At the time, Tandingan had released her first international single 11:59 in collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer Lugo Gonzales.
In her post, the 2012 X Factor Philippines winner expressed her gratitude at her achievement. "My heart is full. I don’t know what I did to deserve these people, achievements and moments but I am grateful, Lord. When I find myself doubting the path and questioning my abilities, I will look at these photos to remember that Your plans are always greater than mine. Thank you," she wrote.