UnMarry actor Tom Rodriguez shared his honest reaction after finding out for the first time that his ex-wife Carla Abellana just confirmed her engagement to her non-showbiz boyfriend this week.
After being revealed as one of the stars of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry UnMarry during their presscon held last December 5 in Quezon City, Tom shared his initial hesitation to accept the project offered by producer Atty. Joji Alonso. The 38-year-old actor had been previously married to actress Carla Abellana in 2021 before filing for divorce in the US in 2022. It was only last year when their separation was legally recognized by Philippine courts.
Tom admitted that he found it hard to turn down the offer from a close friend in the industry. “Eh nanay ko yan eh (laughs). First film ko siya rin nagbigay ng big break that I was a part of. Ang hirap tanggihan pero it has to be the material especially with the topic like this. I’m not sure if I want to do a movie about that right away pero wow pag nabasa mo, this is really good story na hindi mo mabitawan from start to finish. Hindi ito yung mamaya na yan. As soon as I started reading it, dire-diretso na. it’s a really good story. I know that it happens to a lot of people. I, myself, can relate to it kaya how could I say no?” he shared during the UnMarry presscon last December 5 in Quezon City.
During the presscon, Tom agreed with the answer of Angelica Panganiban (who plays his wife in the film) when asked what they would say to people they used to love. “Gusto ko yung sinabi ni Angelica na I like the peace that I have now, so I’d rather now so I’d rather not open that chapter. Kasi it’s already closed eh. That letter was already written way in the past and that’s where they’ll stay,” he added.
When asked his initial reaction to Carla’s recent confirmation of her engagement to her non-showbiz boyfriend, Tom shared nothing but well wishes for his ex. “Recently ko lang nalaman, because of this mediacon and when I heard nga, it’s an honest reaction. I wish her well, I wish them well. I’m glad to know everyone is moving on. We all deserve it. I wish them well. Everyone deserves happiness and we all deserve to move on and I’m glad we’re all moving on," he shared.
Carla is also part of this year's MMFF as one of the stars of the lone horror film entry Shake, Rattle, & Roll: Evil Origins.
The UnMarry actor also admitted that he would much rather focus on his own life, after having shared a glimpse of his current partner and son last June on social media. "That’s their life. Ako nakatutok ako sa sarili ko, sa sarili kong married life lang. Dun lang ako nakatutok. For me, I like what I have now and I’d like to keep it that way. Yun lang. Gusto ko yung peace na meron ako ngayon. Mas dun na lang ako mag-fo-focus. So yung past, I don’t want to open it ever."
Watch Tom Rodriguez in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry UnMarry, also starring Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, Eugene Domingo, Nico Antonio, and Solenn Heussaff. Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian. Produced by Quantum Films and CineKo Productions. UnMarry opens on December 25 in cinemas nationwide.