Eugene Domingo grateful to be part of MMFF 2025 entry ‘UnMarry.’ Josh Mercado
While she found a purpose as an actress early in her career and went on to win awards, Eugene Domingo met the right person later in her life -- an unexpected moment arrived at the perfect time.
Describing herself as a “late bloomer,” Domingo experienced a connection with her husband Danilo Bottoni in 2016 at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy and subsequently married in 2016.
However, beneath her happily married life were years of heartbreak, frustration, and exhaustion. During the press conference for "UnMarry," the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 entry, Domingo offered advice to those seeking to live a love-filled life.
She began by humorously saying, “Past is past. Talinung-talino kami sa quote na ‘yun. Favorite quote namin ‘yun.”
Telling people to move past their painful experiences, she shared, “Kung ano man ‘yung pinagdaanan mong masakit, kalimutan mo na, move on. Kung patuloy kang malungkot, maybe you’re not in the right place.”
“Try to move out. Move on. Travel,” she pointed out.
The award-winning actress followed by sharing her personal story of perseverance that led to finding her husband.
“Ako ang perfect example ng hope to all. I’m a late bloomer. Hindi natin inasahan. Hindi ko rin inasahan. Hindi ako sumuko. Hindi ako nanatili sa isang lugar. You need to move out. Move on. Spread your wings,” she said.
In typical Domingo flair, she left a hilarious one-liner that made everyone laugh.
“Kung hindi ka man maganda rito, baka maganda ka sa ibang bansa,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, in Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo's film, Domingo stars as Attorney Jackie Lombridas, a lawyer who also broadcasts a YouTube show called "Walang Butas Ang Batas," where she discusses law and provides legal advice to her 1 million fans.
Attorney Lombridas then meets Celine (Panganiban), who is seeking an annulment of her marriage to Stephen (Tom Rodriguez), as well as custody of their two daughters.
The lawyer also meets Ivan (Marudo), who plans to oppose his wife Maya's annulment proceedings (Solenn Heussaff) in order to save his marriage and his relationship with his son Elio (Zac Sibug).
Through the mistaken scheduling of meetings and ultimately hearings, Celine and Ivan learn more about each other's strengths and weaknesses. They gradually develop a friendship and turn into each other's support system, encouraging one another when things seem hopeless and assisting one another in improving themselves in anticipation of the results of their individual situations.
"UnMarry," 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, will open in cinemas nationwide on December 25.