What Unmarry Teaches Parents About Love, Identity, and Letting Go
Starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo, the film offers a thoughtful look at love, identity, and second chances
Marriage is never just about two people in love—it’s also about growth, compromise, and the choices they make every day. In Unmarry, one of the official entries of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival, viewers are invited into the emotionally layered world of annulment, a reality many Filipino families face in a country where divorce remains unavailable.
Through the stories of Celine (Angelica Panganiban) and Ivan (Zanjoe Marudo), the film explores the cracks that form in marriage and poses a difficult question many couples eventually face: Is falling out of love ever reason enough to walk away?
When Love Alone Isn’t Enough
Celine and Ivan are both navigating annulment, but for very different reasons. Celine seeks freedom from a marriage that slowly erased her sense of self. Her husband, Stephen (Tom Rodriguez), is controlling, shaping everything from her appearance to the business she once proudly built. Filing for annulment becomes Celine’s way of reclaiming her voice—and her identity.
Ivan, on the other hand, is fighting to save his marriage. An artist, he contests the annulment filed by his wife Maya (Solenn Heussaff), a successful media personality who fears the impact of Ivan’s personal struggles on their young son. Ivan’s story is one of accountability and hope, of wanting to be better, not just for love, but for family.
Screenshot from Quantum Films
As their paths cross through their lawyer, Atty. Jacqueline Lambridas (Eugene Domingo), Unmarry reminds us that love, while essential, is not always enough. Real partnership requires communication, room to grow, and a willingness to meet each other halfway—especially during life’s hardest seasons.
Never Lose Yourself in Marriage
One of the film’s most powerful messages comes through Celine’s journey. In trying to be the “perfect” wife, she slowly loses herself—her confidence, her career, and her sense of agency. Her story echoes a reality many parents, especially mothers, find themselves in: the pressure to give everything, even at the cost of their own identity.
Unmarry reinforces an important truth—marriage should never require self-erasure. Loving someone doesn’t mean shrinking yourself. Holding on to who you are isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. After all, a fulfilled parent is better equipped to raise fulfilled children.
Screenshot from Quantum Films
The Power of a Support System
No one survives heartbreak alone, and the film highlights the importance of having people who will stand by you when things fall apart. Celine leans on her mother, sister, and closest friends—voices that remind her of her worth and encourage her to fight for a better future for her daughters.
Ivan, too, finds solace in friendship and in being truly heard. Sometimes, having just one person willing to listen can make all the difference.
For parents and couples alike, Unmarry underscores this truth: asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s a lifeline.
Screenshot from Quantum Films
Children’s Feelings Matter—Always
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching moments in Unmarry are those involving the children. In Ivan and Maya’s case, their son Elio is forced to confront his parents’ separation in a way no child should have to. His testimony serves as a sobering reminder of the emotional weight children carry when families fall apart.
The film also contrasts parenting styles—material provision versus emotional presence—asking what children truly need during uncertain times. As Celine chooses independence over comfort, she shows her daughters that strength doesn’t always come wrapped in luxury, but in resilience and love.
A Reminder to Work on Ourselves
Unmarry isn’t just about annulment—it’s about self-reflection. It reminds couples to pause, look inward, and recognize that a healthy marriage requires two whole individuals willing to grow, adjust, and take responsibility.
As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. And sometimes, learning the steps begins with understanding ourselves first.
Unmarry is a reminder that while not all love stories last forever, the lessons they leave behind can shape us into better partners, parents, and people.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The film highlights several lessons parents can reflect on: the importance of emotional presence over material provision, the value of maintaining one’s identity in marriage, and the need to consider children’s feelings during times of conflict or separation.
The film shows that children are deeply affected by their parents’ struggles, even when adults try to shield them. Unmarry reminds parents that children often need reassurance, honest communication, and emotional safety during difficult family transitions.
The film underscores that losing oneself in marriage can affect not only the individual but also the family. For parents, maintaining a sense of identity helps model self-respect, resilience, and emotional balance for their children.
Unmarry highlights the role of support systems—family, friends, and trusted confidants—in helping parents navigate marital challenges. It also suggests that healthy co-parenting begins with emotional honesty and a willingness to seek help when needed.
