Angelica Panganiban has nothing but admiration for Ellen Adarna, saying she believes they could even become friends despite sharing a complicated past involving ex-boyfriend Derek Ramsay.
In a candid interview with Karen Davila on December 11, Angelica revisited her past relationships and reacted with humor and honesty to the recent cheating controversy involving Derek and his estranged wife, Ellen. The actress made it clear that she harbors no bitterness and is speaking from a place of contentment now that she is happily married to businessman Gregg Homan.
“Ang laki ng tinahimik ng buhay ko. Pakiramdam ko para akong na-recalibrate ngayon e. Nag-iba yung mundo ko, na-appreciate ko ngayon yung life,” Angelica shared. She described her life before as noisy and chaotic, filled with constant issues and pressure, compared to the quiet and grounded life she enjoys today.
Angelica and Derek were together for six years before announcing their breakup in 2012. Reflecting on that relationship, she admitted she never saw marriage in their future. “With Derek, kahit na matagal kami, I didn’t see him na pupunta talaga doon, na parang may planong mag-settle. Wala,” she recalled, adding that problems seemed to resurface repeatedly during their time together.
She also spoke about her relationship with John Lloyd Cruz, saying it was clear between them that marriage was never on the table. “With John Lloyd, I think clear sa relationship namin na ayaw niyang magpakasal… and then ako din naman,” she said, explaining that she eventually realized she wanted something more stable and lasting.
When asked about Ellen and Derek’s separation, Angelica said she was more surprised than saddened. “Parang nadismaya, in a way… ‘oh talaga ba?’” she admitted. “Hinanap ko yung sadness pero parang hindi e. Nung una hinahanap ko yung pake ko talaga. ‘May pake ba ‘ko?’ Wala naman akong pake.”
She added that she was surprised Derek had not “calmed down” over the years, joking about their age gap at the time of their relationship.
Despite everything, Angelica said she could see herself being friends with Ellen. “Feeling ko [oo]. Marami kaming pag-uusapan,” she said with a laugh, joking further, “Huwag lang niya i-screenshot ah. Huwag lang niya i-record. Hindi pa nga ako nai-invite doon sa group chat eh.”
Angelica also expressed genuine admiration for Ellen as a mother. “Alam mo I wish her well. Having two kids? Ang hirap non,” she said. She added that from what she sees online, Ellen appears to be doing well. “Mukha siyang okay na mom… You wish her well. ‘Go teh, galingan mo diyan.’”
She went on to praise Ellen’s courage, saying, “Nakakabilib nga siya e ang tapang niya. Para niyang nagawa yung mga hindi ko kayang gawin noon. ‘Hanep, galing!’”
Angelica clarified that her playful comments about a supposed group chat of Derek’s exes were made in jest. However, some netizens warned her against getting involved, urging her to protect her peace and stay away from the issue altogether.
Ellen later reacted humorously to Angelica’s remarks, sharing an Instagram Story of her watching the interview and writing, “Promise masaya and nakakatawa ung group chat @iamangelicap.”
Angelica’s lighthearted response stood in contrast to her past, which she acknowledged might have been very different had she not found happiness in her current life. “Baka iba-iba pa yung nasabi ko kung hindi ako masaya ngayon,” she admitted.
Married in December 2023, Angelica is now a mother to daughter Amila Sabine. She is set to return to the big screen after four years as one of the leads in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry ‘UnMarry’, alongside longtime friend and co-star Zanjoe Marudo.
