Jeffrey Jeturian is inspired to direct films again

Director Jeffrey Jeturian was presented with a rare opportunity this year: to direct not one but two films eventually fielded for the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival.

He serves as the director of the legal drama “UnMarry” under Quantum Films and Cineko Productions, marking his return to the big screen 13 years after “Ekstra” starring Vilma Santos.

But he likewise confirmed that he was considered to helm the Piolo Pascual starrer “Manila’s Finest,” which eventually went to director Raymond Red.

“Hindi ako nag (I didn’t say) no (to ‘Manila’s Finest’),” he told The STAR before the MMFF-sponsored premiere night of “UnMarry” at Trinoma on Saturday.

“Kasi kasabay nito (‘UnMarry’), which is nauna. Hindi ko naman kayang lagariin yung dalawa. Tapos ang tindi pa naman ng ‘Manila’s Finest.’ It’s a period film.”

As for “UnMarry,” he happily accepted it thanks to the script co-written by Chris Martinez and Therese Cayaba. Topbilled by Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo, the film explores the legal and emotional complexities of annulment. Celine (Angelica) is determined to end her marriage to Stephen (Tom Rodriguez) while Ivan (Zanjoe Marudo) opposes the moves of his wife Maya (Solenn Heussaff) to nullify their union.

Their lawyer Atty. Jacqueline Lambridas, who also happens to be a popular YouTuber, is played by Eugene Domingo. As the story unfolds, a friendship develops that hints at the possibility of a second chance not just at life but also at love. The cast also includes Nico Antonio, Angel Aquino, Mari Kaimo, Donna Cariaga, Shamaine Centera-Buencamino and the promising young actor Zack Sibug.

“We’re excited because we came up with a film that we think people will like, so hopefully it spreads by word of mouth and the producers get their investment back so that we can make more films,” said the veteran director.

Lead stars Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo play two individuals brought together by their shared annulment experiences.

According to him, the idea for the project began three years ago and originated from Quantum Films producer-lawyer Joji Alonso.

“Three years ago pa ’yan, tapos iba-iba pang casting ’yan, iba-iba pa ang director. Until this year, kinausap niya ako kung gusto ko bang i-direct itong film na ito. My condition was, if I liked the script, I will do it. Eh nagustuhan ko, parang nakita ko na puwedeng paglaruan, puwedeng pagandahin.”

Angelica was cast early on. “From the start, it was Angelica already. Then we chose someone who could be her leading man.”

It helped that he already worked with Angelica and Zanjoe in the daytime sitcom “Playhouse” pre-pandemic. Prior to that, he admitted he had a not-so-nice experience directing Angelica in a TV episode, and he almost swore off working with her again (the soft-spoken director quipped in a presscon that Angelica then had love problems). But that eventually changed when they worked anew in “Playhouse.”

“With her in general, kasi ibang-iba na siya nun (in ‘Playhouse’). At saka parang gusto niya rin yung mga katrabaho niya. Kaya hindi na siya nagmamaldita noon,” direk Jeffrey said.
“But now, maybe because she’s now a mom, she has a child, she has become a housewife, she seems more devoted, more committed to her work.”

In fact, he noted that the actress, who’s also making her acting comeback in “UnMarry,” has been busy with publicity efforts for the film via successive interviews that have since trended online.

“That’s why we’re thankful, because she’s been working so hard promoting the film. And her interviews have been interesting.”

As for the chemistry between Angelica and Zanjoe, direk Jeffrey described it as “automatic.”

“Because they’re already familiar with each other. They’re friends and they’re comfortable with each other. That’s why their interaction in the film is very natural. Kabisadong-kabado nila ang bawat isa.”

Jeffrey Jeturian is excited and inspired to direct more films after helming the MMFF 2025 entry ‘UnMarry,’ which premieres on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

The STAR asked how “UnMarry” would compare to his previous works, and direk Jeffrey said, “Ito kasi parang nag-mature din ako as filmmaker, kaya mas marami akong inputs dito na mas malalim. Although commercial film siya, pero yun na nga, kasi nag-mature na siguro ako. Ang tagal-tagal kong hindi gumawa ng pelikula. Tapos nung ginawa ko ’to. I’m excited and inspired.”

Did he have to draw from real life for his “inputs”?

“Wala. I never got married, I’m single, then LGBT pa. But I placed myself in the situations of the characters on screen. I’m an empath as a person, so I know what the characters in the script feel.”

It’s hard to believe that it took a Jeffrey Jeturian more than a decade before accepting another directorial job. But he explained that he was being selective — and rightfully so. “Matagal ako gumawa ng film kasi mapili ako. Ayokong gagawa ng pelikulang nahihiya akong ginawa. Hindi naman (kailangan award-worthy). Kahit commercial, basta maganda ang pagkakagawa. Basta paghusayin mo yung paggawa, whether commercial or art film, okay with me.”

Looking ahead, he is now open to directing more unlike before. “Gusto kong gumawa ng marami pang pelikula kasi natuwa ako sa paggawa nito. I really missed doing films, that’s why I got inspired. I want to make more.”

In terms of dream projects, he doesn’t have anything specific in mind. What matters most to him is the script. “Yes, the script comes first. For me, the script is like the Bible in making films. After that, we think about who could be cast. But of course, if the actors are great, half of the director’s job is already done.”

As for actresses he hopes to direct in the future, apart from his “favorites” Angelica and Jodi Sta. Maria (whom he directed in the TV hit “Be Careful With My Heart”), he named Maris Racal and Sue Ramirez.

“Si Maris, magaling. Also Sue Ramirez, magaling. Her (Maris) first teleserye (‘Ningning’) was with (directed by) me with Marco Gumabao. (With Sue) she became my artista in ‘Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita’ and in one sitcom, ‘Oh My Dad’ on TV5. That’s why Sue, she’s like Angelica. Magagaling yung marunong sa comedy kasi ‘pag drama, natural lang ang atake nila. They’re not in a drama mode, the tendency of which is to over (act), naging dramang-drama,” he said.

“UnMarry” and seven other MMFF 2025 entries will premiere on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.