Contrary to what people may assume after watching the trailer of his film UnMarry for the first time, lead actor Zanjoe Marudo clarifies that their Metro Manila Film Festival entry is not just about the process of annulment. The Star Magic artist shares what first drew him to the script of his latest film project.
“Istorya kasi siya ng nag-e-end na relationship. Meron din mga magagandang mangyayari. Ito ‘yung binibigay na istorya ng UnMarry, na hindi pa ito ‘yung katapusan ng buhay,” said Zanjoe.
“At hindi rin naman taon-taon nabibigyan tayo ng ganitong chance para makasama sa isang napakalaking festival,” he added.
Looking back at his reaction when he was first offered the role, Zanjoe admitted he also thought the film would just focus on annulment. But his interest in the project grew when he found out that not only would he would be working again with his longtime friend and colleague Angelica Panganiban, but that their roles had a twist. This was the first time they would be working together again since they both got married and become first time parents with their respective partners during the past few years.
“Nung umpisa siyempre parang annulment, madami ng storya na napanuod na hiwalayan. Pero nung nalaman ko itong istorya, hindi kami mag-asawa ni Angelica, na-excite ako kasi parang bago. So parang makaka-relate yung tao, hindi lang sa isang couple. Kumbaga, sa lahat ng characters, yung pinagdadaanan ko na hinihiwalayan at pinagdadaanan ni Angelica na nakikipaghiwalay. Siyempre ‘yung mga anak na maaapektuhan, ‘yun ‘yung pinakanagustuhan ko dito sa project. Lalo na meron na akong sarili kong pamilya. Alam kong mas magagawa ko siya ng mas natural. Kasi hindi na ako nanghuhula kung ano nararamdaman ng isang tatay or isang asawa,” he explained.
READ: Zanjoe Marudo describes marriage and fatherhood as, ‘ibang kaligayahan’
Unlike his preparation for his previous projects with Angelica where he was focused on building chemistry with her onscreen, Zanjoe admitted that this time around, he worked on being a believable husband to his wife (played by Solenn Heussaff) and his son (played by newcomer Zack Sibug) in the story.
“Dito sa UnMarry, hindi katulad sa usual na ginagawa ko sa ibang projects. Nung nabasa ko yung script, nag-focus ako sa character ko. Mas nag-focus ako sa emotion kay Zach at kay Solenn, dun sa family ko talaga, mas pinag-aralan ko ‘yung pinagdadaanan nung character ni Ivan ‘pag ganitong nasa kalagitnaan ng annulment na iniiwan ka ng pamilya mo. More than dun sa (kwento namin ni Angelica), kahit na ang main plot is ‘yung character ni Angelica at sa akin. Tutal, sa movie naman, first time kami mag-mi-meet, so para mas natural, hindi ko na siya pinag-aralan kung paano mag-wo-work ‘yung eksena namin ni Angelica. Mas nag-focus ako dun sa emotion sa pamilya ko kasi ‘yun ‘yung mas, para sa akin, mas importante,” he explained.
Watch Zanjoe Marudo in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry UnMarry, also starring Angelica Panganiban, Tom Rodriguez, Eugene Domingo, Nico Antonio, Solenn Heussaff, and Zack Sibug. Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and produced by Quantum Films and CineKo Productions, UnMarry opens on December 25 in cinemas nationwide.