After going through three surgeries and a childbirth, Angelica Panganiban admitted that she no longer wants to return to her pre-pregnancy body as she now sees her past experiences as a a stark reminder of how strong she truly was.
Panganiban said she learned to love her body more after giving birth to her daughter, Amila Sabine, in a podcast interview with Alyssa Valdez, saying that she couldn’t return to how her body was since she’s not athletic to begin with.
“After giving birth, mas lalo kong minahal ang katawan ko sa kung anong capacity niya at kung anong capabilities niya. Of course, dumaan ka sa stage na ang ganda ng katawan mo noon. Make-kemback ko ba ‘yun? Kaya mo kung tulad ka ng ibang athletic or talagang gan’un ‘yung lifestyle mo. Hindi naman talaga ako gan’un,” she said.
The actress underwent three surgeries in 2024 after being diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a kind of bone condition where bone tissue dies due to inadequate blood supply. She first underwent a seven-hour hip core decompression surgery in July 2024, then a hip replacement surgery three months later. She didn’t disclose what her third surgery was.
Looking back, Panganiban said her past surgeries and pregnancy reminded her of her own strength. “Hindi rin naman sikreto sa mga tao na tatlong surgeries ang pinagdaanan ko, so parang doon ako na-surprise kung ano ‘yung kayang gawin ng katawan ko—ng katawan ng isang babae.”
“Nakagawa ka ng isang buhay doon, tapos dinudugtungan niya ‘yung quality of life mo dahil nga na-hip replacement ako,” she continued. “Mas gugustuhin ko kung ano katawan ko ngayon. Mas i-embrace ko siya dahil ito ang pinagdaanan niya. I-a-admire mo kung ano ‘yung pinagdaanan niya dahil ang strong niya.”
The actress said that wanting to return to her former body felt like returning to a time when she was weaker. After all, her body’s current state is what survived three surgeries and pregnancy.
“Mas gugustuhin ko ‘yung katawan ko ngayon na nakapagbigay ng buhay. At nalagpasan ko ‘yung isang pinakamalaking struggle ng buhay ko. At 36 or 37, nagkaroon ako ng bone death. For two years, nahirapan ako, nag-struggle akong labanan ‘yung disease ko. And then, nag-survive ako, ‘di ba?” she said.
Panganiban’s recent appearances were the Prime Video series “The Silent Noise” and the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entry “UnMarry,” both of which she worked with Zanjoe Marudo.
The actress received a Best Lead Actor (Female) nomination at the 2026 Global OTT Awards for performance in “The Silent Noise.” (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
