Angelica Panganiban on Best Actress loss: ‘Naghanda ako ng speech, ‘di ko nasabi’

Despite losing the Best Actress award at the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Angelica Panganiban was cheerful as ever and even joked about being unable to give her prepared speech. 

Panganiban, who was tagged as the heavy favorite to win the award, took on the role of Celine in “UnMarry,” who seeks annulment from her husband Stephen (Tom Rodriguez) and custody of their daughters.

The MMFF 2025 Best Actress award eventually went to Krystel Go, the lead star of “I’m Perfect,” which tells the story of adults with Down Syndrome who fall in love.

Despite this, Panganiban made light of the situation at the MMFF 2025 Gabi ng Parangal on Saturday, Dec. 27, when “UnMarry” was announced as this year’s Second Best Picture.

“Naghanda ako ng speech eh, hindi ko nasabi (I prepared a speech. I wasn’t able to give it),” she said, with the audience laughing and cheering in response.

Panganiban also thanked her husband, Gregg Homan, for allowing her to continue with her acting career.

“Actually, gusto ko lang pasalamatan ang asawa ko dahil hinahayaan niya kong gawin ang first love ko which is creating and making films and movies,” she said. “Gusto ko lang po sabihin sa inyo na gaano ko po kamahal ang industriya na ‘to kaya magtulungan po tayo at panatilihing maging buhay ang pelikulang Pilipino.”

(I actually want to thank my husband because he allows me to keep doing my first love, which is creating and making films and movies. I want to express my deep appreciation for this industry. I hope we can keep helping each other and pushing to keep the Filipino film industry alive.)

Other nominees for the MMFF 2025 Best Actress award were Nadine Lustre and Bianca de Vera for “Call Me Mother” and “Love You So Bad,” respectively. 

In a press conference for “UnMarry,” Panganiban admitted that she doesn’t mind not winning the Best Actress award, as she has long accepted that the award has been elusive for her.

She also bagged the MMFF Best Actress nomination for “One More Try” (2012) and “I Love You, Goodbye” (2009).

Aside from Second Best Picture, “UnMarry” also brought home the Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Float, and Special Jury Prize for Best Breakthrough Performance. /ra