“UnMarry” actress Angelica Panganiban opened up about regretting her decision to turn down a movie role because she did not want to work with a fellow actress at the time.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe, Panganiban shared previously undisclosed details about her acting career, including what she described as one of her biggest regrets in show business.
According to Panganiban, she was offered the role of Gabbie Salazar, which was eventually portrayed by Shaina Magdayao, in the 2013 box-office blockbuster, “Four Sisters and a Wedding.”
Explaining her decision, the actress said the offer came shortly after she and Locsin worked together on the 2012 romance movie “One More Try,” which also starred Zanjoe Marudo and Dingdong Dantes.
At the time, Panganiban and Locsin were rumored to have fallen out following reports that their confrontation scene in the film became “too real” and emotionally charged, triggering an alleged feud between the two actresses.
“Kakatapos lang kasi namin gawin ’yung One More Try,” she explained. “Hindi naging maganda ’yung ending namin ni Angel [Locsin] no’n. So nag-give way na lang ako.
“Maging magkaibigan na lang tayo sa labas ng trabaho. ’Wag na lang tayo mag-work ulit,” Angelica said about how she felt towards Angel.
She added that the experience left a lasting impact on her, admitting she has never watched Four Sisters and a Wedding because of lingering emotions.
“Alam mo, hindi ko pa rin pinapanood ’yung movie na ’yun. Bubog ko ’yun,” she said.
In a 2017 report by PEP, both Panganiban and Locsin had previously reflected on their falling out, acknowledging it as a necessary phase that ultimately strengthened their friendship.
“May mga pinagdaanan kami sa past, pero I think kinailangan yun,” Angel addressed the issue at the time. “Parang, in a way, may touch siya ng ganun, so I’m very excited na mas makilala ko pa uli si Angel.
“Siyempre ilang years ago na yun, five years ago, parang ang daming nagbabago. Alam ninyo, buwan-buwan ang daming nagbabago sa buhay ng isang tao. So, nakaka-excite na makita yung mga developments kung ano ang nagawa ng time sa aming dalawa,” she added.
Angelica echoed her sentiment, saying that not all friendships start out perfectly and that their shared experiences were an important part of their bond.
“Parang may mga bagay nga na hindi naman talaga sa umpisa perfect na perfect kayo sa isa’t isa bilang magkaibigan. I guess napakaimportante ding part ng pinagdaanan namin sa friendship namin dun sa mangyayari sa amin sa pelikula,” she said.
Angelica’s most recent project, the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Unmarry”, reunites her with One More Try co-star Zanjoe Marudo, where they portray a separated couple navigating the emotional fallout of their marriage through an annulment.
