Happily married to Italian film critic Danilo Bottoni since 2016, actress Eugene Domingo admits that the thought of turning her back on her career for a domestic life never even crossed her mind. The talented 54-year-old artist talked to PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview during the presscon for her latest Metro Manila Film Festival entry UnMarry. The storyline of the film follows the life of two married couples, both in the process of undergoing annulment of their marriages.
“I will never stop working naman, so being married has nothing to do with being a working actress. But with regards to UnMarry and the theme of UnMarry which is mostly about relationships, being a wife, being in a relationship, it makes me more sensitive, knowing that anything can happen. And when you love, there’s a risk. So you have to work for it everyday. And if there’s a possibility to love, there’s also a possibility to let go of that love. It makes me sensitive because I'm a woman in love,” she told PUSH ABS-CBN.
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In UnMarry, Eugene plays the role of a lawyer named Jackie Lombridas who has her own online show on YouTube called "Walang Butas Ang Batas” where she gives advice to her online followers. In real life, Eugene explained why the movie’s theme is not negative, even if it talks about the breakdown of relationships.
“You know, you don’t like that happen to you but it’s reality. So I think ‘yung pagdating ng UnMarry and being involved in UnMarry is, for me, meron siyang weight. And I think the audience will watch this and not be discouraged to love. We’re just presenting a beautiful story. It’s a feeling. It’s love eh. It’s loving yourself or surrendering to love. But everything is hopeful,” she added.
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Although she is more popularly known to her fans for doing comedy like her previous MMFF film entries like last year’s And the Breadwinner is… and Becky and Badette in 2023, Eugene says it was not hard for her to accept the role of Atty. Jackie in UnMarry.
“You will really see a character that was given to me which is the lawyer, Atty. Jackie. Ang intention naman talaga is not only to give guidelines sa legal procedure but also isa rin siyang boses dun sa main characters natin, sina Zanjoe at si Angelica, and taga-balance din. My character is taga-balance,” she explained.
“Hindi ko naman kinailangan na i-convince silang lahat na lawyer ako. We have a very beautiful script, we have a very good director. I just did my job. I studied my part. I listened to the instructions and I worked with my co-actors. They’re very good. We just gave what is really needed. So pag sinabing ganito ‘yung sitwasyon, ganito lang. And then, the most important thing is, we really are telling a very beautiful story. Kakapit ka,” she added.
READ: Eugene Domingo says she is content and happy being single right now
Watch Eugene Domingo in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry UnMarry, also starring Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, Tom Rodriguez, Nico Antonio, and Solenn Heussaff. UnMarry is directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and produced by Quantum Films and CineKo Productions. UnMarry is now showing in cinemas nationwide.