Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Tom Rodriguez did not hesitate to accept the film Unmarry despite its theme about the separation of a married couple.

At the film's recent media conference, Tom mentioned that, aside from personally knowing one of its producers, Atty. Joji Alonso of Quantum Film, he was also drawn to the story of the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry.

“It still has to be the material, especially with the topic like this nga. I'm not sure if I want to do a movie about that right away. Pero kapag nabasa mo, it's a really good story na hindi mo mabitawan. Once I started reading it, na akala ko kayo [points to Zanjoe Marudo ang Angelica Panganiban]. 'Tapos, biglang— what?! Doon, dire-direstso na. It's a really nice story,” Tom said.

He further added, “I know that it happens to a lot of people. I, myself, can relate to it kaya how can I say no?”

Related gallery: MMFF 2025 entries and their MTRCB ratings

Last night, December 27, Tom was named Best Supporting Actor at Gabi ng Parangal for his performance as Steven, the husband of lead actress Angelica in the film.

“Playing Steven, who is written to be very hatable, para akong nagba-balancing act,” the Kapuso actor described his role.

“Sa akin na lang, this is the life of a human being even though I don't agree or I don't condone or I don't wanna give him a pass sa kung anuman yung ginagawa niya sa pelikula. I wanted to understand why.

“Sa akin, parang yung driver force talaga ni Steven ay fear and security, na just holding on to that image hanggang sa nagigiing mali na yung kung paano niya hina-handle kung paano niya ipinapakita yung love na yun.”

The film is also said to be a way of showing Filipinos the experience of married couples who go through the annulment process.

Tom explained, “Why accepted kasi, yun nga, it's a very sensitive, it's very messy, talagang magulo siya. Time-consuming talaga siya, Yung iba nga, parang lumipas na ang decades pero hindi pa naga-grant. In a way, I thought, I'm very fortunate, from my own situation, dahil dual citizen ako, I'm privileged enough to get the chance to go through divorce, which is relatively quicker.”

He added, “It's not an advocacy film, it's just a family drama. But if it can open some people's eyes din to the limits of our legal system when it comes to annulment… Maybe for those….
“Kasi, any relationship that ends is painful for everyone involved. Pero relationships that must end, yung nandun na talaga sad ulo, where freedom is deserved na and needed, sana there's an easier way to achieve that. Kaya I was very eager to accept the role.”

It can be recalled that Tom was first married to actress Carla Abellana in 2021. A few months later, their marriage ended in divorce.

This year, both Tom and Carla remarried their respective partners.

Meanwhile, here are other celebrity marriages that ended in annulment or divorce: