Dannyka Manangan

Tom Rodriguez on winning MMFF Best Supporting Actor: ‘I’m still waking up grateful’

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez expressed how grateful he is after winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the recently concluded 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal on December 27. In an Instagram post, the <em>UnMarry</em> star gave credit to the people that made it possible for him to bag the award. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSyzbr2Dxji/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A663221.4999999998%2C%22ls%22%3A76386.30000000005%2C%22le%22%3A76949.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Tom portrayed the role of Stephen in the film, the husband of Celine (played by Angelica Panganiban). The film revolves around a couple who undergoes the challenges of getting their marriage annulled in the country.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/8/tom-rodriguez-shares-why-he-almost-turned-down-doing-unmarry-it-s-a-very-sensitive-topic-for-me-2048"><strong>READ: Tom Rodriguez shares why he almost turned down doing UnMarry: ‘It’s a very sensitive topic for me’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“I’m still waking up grateful,” he wrote.</p><div><br/></div><p>Tom posed alongside his trophy in his post and shared a glimpse of his acceptance speech. He admitted that a nomination for his portrayal in the film wasn’t something that he was expecting but is deeply grateful for nonetheless. </p><div><br/></div><p>“I honestly didn’t expect the nomination last night, much less the win. In the rush and emotion of the moment, I missed thanking a few people who are deeply integral to my work process,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><p>The Kapuso star then made sure to thank his handler, Joey Rada, and his assistant, Arnil Derotas, for being his “safety net through the years.” </p><div><br/></div><p>“Because of you, I get to jump wholeheartedly into my roles, knowing everything off camera is handled with care. Your quiet consistency is a gift I never take for granted,” he expressed.</p><div><br/></div><p>He added how supportive his family has been throughout his journey as an actor which is something that he stands for both on and off the screen. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Last night was overwhelming in the best way. But how I started my day is how I will choose to end it... with intentional gratitude. To everyone who continues to show up for the work, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo,” he ended</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/6/tom-rodriguez-reacts-to-carla-abellana-s-engagement-i-m-glad-we-re-all-moving-on-1600"><strong>READ: Tom Rodriguez reacts to Carla Abellana’s engagement: ‘I’m glad we’re all moving on’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Friends and fans of Tom congratulated him in the comment section for winning. Others shared how drawn they were with his portrayal of Stephen in the film.</p><div><br/></div><p>In a previous interview, he revealed that he had hesitations in accepting the role due to it being a “sensitive topic” for him.</p><div><br/></div><p>“It’s a very sensitive topic for me din. But just reading the script and knowing that annulment wasn’t a gimmick in the film [made me accept it],” he previously said.</p><div><br/></div><p><em>UnMarry</em> is one of the official entries to this year’s MMFF. </p>

<p>After winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the MMFF, Tom Rodriguez expresses his gratitude to everyone that made it possible.</p>

After winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the MMFF, Tom Rodriguez expresses his gratitude to everyone that made it possible.