Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo join the MMFF Parade of Stars in Makati. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
One of the most exciting festivities of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), not only for the artists but also for the audience, is the awarding of the best actress, which according to "UnMarry" lead star Angelica Panganiban, is difficult to win.
“Mahirap masungkit ang MMFF,” she said. Considered as one of her generation's most versatile actresses, Panganiban never won a trophy at the aforementioned film festival.
Responding to the talk about her potential win for her showbiz comeback, Panganiban remarked, “Hindi ko masagot. Marami na rin akong pelikula na nagawa for MMFF. Sabi ko nga, ‘Always a nominee but never a winner.’ Parang may ganoon na akong pakiramdam.“
The Kapamilya star continued by saying that winning would be a reward for her hard work, particularly during shootings when she had to travel from the province to the big city.
“Kung ibibigay, masaya. Nag-comeback ka at pinaghirapan mo. Tapos luluwas ka ng Olongapo to Manila. Kung ibibigay — siguro — gaganahan ka uli,” she expressed.
She went on, “Pero kung hindi, masaya pa rin ako at nakagawa ako ng magandang pelikula. That’s enough.”
“Kung hindi best actress, box-office na lang. Mas gusto yata namin ‘yun ni attorney (Joji Alonso),” she joked.
Panganiban's last MMFF appearance before her return was the 2012 film "One More Try," which starred Angel Locsin, Zanjoe Marudo, and Dingdong Dantes.
When asked why she accepted "UnMarry," she explained, “No offense naman sa mga ibinigay sa aking script noon na nag-aaya sa akin na bumalik na sa movies [pero] parang wala talaga siyang lukso ng dugo. Hindi nakaka-comeback ‘yung dating niya.”
She added, “Tahimik na kasi [ang] buhay ko ngayon so kailangang pakitaan ninyo ako at sabihin ko na, ‘Ay sandali. Ang ganda nito. Luluwas talaga ako para rito.’ Kailangan ko talaga ‘yung nanggigigil ako sa project. ‘Yung tipong hindi ka makakatulog. Kumbaga ‘pag pinalampas ko ito, parang manghihinayang ako. ‘Yun ang hinihintay kong project.”
Produced by Joji Alonso, Gilmer Roque, Min Bernardo, Quantum Films, and CineKo Productions, written by Therese Anne Cayaba and Chris Martinez, and directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, “UnMarry” will open in cinemas nationwide on December 25.