Just in time for Pride Month, actress Maureen Larrazabal expressed her hope that same-sex marriage will eventually become legal in the Philippines.
Larrazabal shared her sentiments during a media gathering celebrating the 16th anniversary of the long-running GMA Network sitcom ‘Pepito Manaloto’, where she has portrayed Mara Quijanos for more than a decade.
When asked what she hopes to see happen to her character should the series continue for another four years and reach its 20th anniversary, Larrazabal gave a straightforward answer.
“Sana if 20 years pa kami, I hope by then ma-legalize na ang same-sex marriage dito,” she said.
Larrazabal plays Mara Quijanos, a transgender woman who has long been in a relationship with Tommy Diones, portrayed by Ronnie Henares.
According to the actress, one reason many members of the LGBTQIA+ community connect with Mara is her capacity to love deeply despite experiencing heartbreak and disappointment.
“Sa karakter ko, may pinakamarami yung makaka-relate. Kasi lalo na pag-LGBT, yung sobrang magmahal, tapos ibibigay lahat, kahit na naloloko,” Larrazabal explained.
Since joining the sitcom, Mara has become one of the show’s most recognizable LGBTQIA+ characters and has contributed to greater representation of diverse identities on Philippine television.
While Larrazabal supports the legalization of same-sex marriage, she clarified that marriage is not something she personally considers necessary to sustain a long-term relationship.
In a previous interview in 2025, the actress revealed that she and her non-showbiz partner had already been together for more than 22 years despite having no plans to get married.
“We love each other. We’ll be together. It’s easy to fall in love, but to stay in love is very difficult,” she said.
For Larrazabal, commitment, trust, and choosing each other every day matter more than a marriage certificate.
Aside from Larrazabal’s wish for greater equality and recognition of LGBTQIA+ relationships, members of the cast also shared their hopes for the future of the beloved sitcom.
Some expressed their dream of eventually bringing ‘Pepito Manaloto’ to the big screen through a feature film adaptation.
Created by Michael V., ‘Pepito Manaloto’ premiered in 2010 and remains one of the longest-running and most successful comedy programs on Philippine television.
As the show continues its successful run, Larrazabal hopes that by the time the series reaches another milestone anniversary, the country will have taken a significant step toward recognizing the rights of same-sex couples.
