Angelica and Zanjoe Reunite for “UnMarry,” MMFF 2025 Official Entry

L–R: Producer Atty Joji Alonso, Zanjoe Marudo, Angelica Panganiban and Director Jeffrey Jeturian

Angelica Panganiban is officially back, and her return to the big screen could not have been more anticipated. After choosing a quiet life in Olongapo for the past four years with husband Gregg Homan and their daughter Baby Bean, the actress is returning with a project that she describes as impossible to ignore. UnMarry, directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and produced by Quantum Films and Cineko Productions, has been selected as an official entry to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival and will premiere on December 25, 2025.

In UnMarry, Angelica stars opposite Zanjoe Marudo, with whom she has shared undeniable chemistry throughout previous projects. The film follows the story of Celine, a woman determined to pursue annulment without losing her children, and Ivan, a husband deeply committed to fighting for their marriage. Their paths intersect in a law office, where confusion, confrontation, and emotional vulnerability slowly unravel. The film takes a grounded and realistic look at the legal and emotional complexities surrounding annulment, a topic seldom examined deeply in mainstream Filipino cinema. It promises heartfelt drama and moments of levity—something Filipino audiences will surely connect with.

During the mediacon, Angelica opened up about what convinced her to take on the role after years of turning down offers. She recalled that while there had been many projects pitched to her, none had sparked the passion she was waiting for. “Though may mga binibigay naman talaga… parang wala talaga siyang lukso ng dugo,” she began, explaining that any project good enough to pull her away from her peaceful life had to be exceptional. The turning point came when Director Jeffrey Jeturian sent her a text—one that immediately made her nervous, knowing how much she respected him. This was followed by a pitch involving Atty Joji and director Jeffrey Jeturian, and conversations that confirmed she was being pulled into something special. When Zanjoe’s name surfaced among the cast, she admitted this sealed her excitement. “Ay patay,” she laughed during the mediacon, realizing the magnitude of the project ahead.

 

 

Angelica also shared her sentiments about possibly winning Best Actress during the festival. Both humorous and sincere, she spoke with humility about the difficulty of sweeping an MMFF award. She joked about whether she should already prepare her speech, and admitted that while she had been nominated many times before, victory never quite arrived. But if the recognition comes, she would be grateful, especially after the effort that went into this comeback. “Kung ibibigay, masaya… Pero pag hindi, masaya ako na nakagawa ako ng magandang pelikula. I think that’s enough,” she said. Then, with her signature candid humor, she added, “Kung hindi Best Actress, Box Office na lang gusto namin yan.”

 

 

 

Eugene Domingo, Nico Antonio, Tom Rodriguez, Solenn Heussaff, Zack Sibug, and Donna Cariaga round out the cast, contributing to the energy and layers of the ensemble film. Eugene Domingo brought laughs to the mediacon when she described how Angelica was practically cornered into saying yes to the movie. Angelica, in return, joked that the project felt like a conspiracy designed to pull her back to acting—and it worked.

Director Jeffrey Jeturian’s presence and vision further strengthened the project’s credibility. Known for his ability to blend comedy with emotional honesty, he and the cast teased glimpses of behind-the-scenes moments where shooting days were filled with laughter, authenticity, and collaboration. It became evident that UnMarry is not simply about annulment—it is about real relationships, adult decisions, heartbreak, healing, and the often misunderstood emotional terrain between endings and beginnings

UnMarry lands at the heart of festival season—when Filipino families gather, reflect, and reconnect. It arrives not just as a film, but as a story grounded in truth, lived experiences, and a celebration of second chances. For Angelica, this is more than a comeback—it is an artistic return built on clarity and conviction. Whether this becomes her MMFF year, or a box-office phenomenon, the actress is already grateful to have created something meaningful.

L–R: Nico Antonio, Tom Rodriguez, Producer Atty Joji Alonso, Zack Sibug, Zanjoe Marudo, Angelica Panganiban, Eugene Domingo, Director Jeffrey Jeturian and Writer Chris Martinez

UnMarry opens in cinemas nationwide on December 25 as part of the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival.