This is an excerpt from the June 2026 Special Issue. Subscribe to MEGA Digital All-Access to read the full story.
Acting is more than simply playing pretend. It requires actors to embody and sometimes live through the lives they portray onscreen to leave a lasting impact on viewers. It is a fact Eugene Domingo is well-versed in. There are many roles of the versatile actress that have become iconic over the years, but her portrayal as a fictional version of herself in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank remains a standout for both its critical reception and timely themes. “It brought me to a lot of festivals and places. It gives me a chance to say something kahit na parang joke,” she shares. “Even if it’s really comedy, you’re able to send a message.”
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Whether it be as the lead star or supporting role, Domingo is a certified scene stealer. But as effortless as she makes it seem, the award-winning actress says that she is never a one-woman show. Behind every successful performance is a constellation of support and behind-the-scenes work. “I’m very dependent on the script, because I always say that as actors, we can only do so much. Kahit na sabihin nilang ang galing-galing ng artista, we can only do so much,” she says.
With a background in theater arts, Domingo approaches every role meticulously, both before and during the shoot. “When I treat a role, first of all, I study the script, and I study the scene, then I study everything about the script, the story, what the subtext is, what the motivations are,” she says. But preparation, for Domingo, is only one part of the process. Remaining open is just as important. “When you’re in the scene, you should be open. Because not everything that you studied even before you shoot the scene, or even before you go on the stage, will happen. There’s always magic. So that’s why you have to be sensitive. You have to listen, you have to react, you have to be there, you have to be present. And you have to love it.”
If there is one thing even more remarkable about Eugene Domingo’s career is that her projects and roles have gone on to influence and shape Filipino culture. As iconic and varied as her characters are, Domingo is more proud and hopeful of the impact her work has on representation. “We are in the era where everybody has to be seen. Everybody has to be acknowledged. Everybody commands respect. So, if you are in the movies, and people watch your movies, and people look up to you, make consciousness na sana through your work, through my craft, I would be able to give a platform, a voice, to people who are not like me, who are not seen.”
Photographed by JERICK SANCHEZ. Creative Direction by PATRICK TY. Art Direction by CLARE MAGNO and BRIE VENTURA. Beauty Direction by AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON assisted by MARA GO. Sittings Editor PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO and TREISHA ROVERO. Produced by THESSMAR LECTURA. Image Retouching by JONES PALTENG. Hair by ARNOLD CONSULTA. Makeup by VINCE LEENDON. Nail Grooming by CRISTINE S. CRISTOBAL, ROWENA D. AYALA, RONA T. SALAZAR, and ANGELYN D. ALVERIO of THE GETAWAY BODY & NAILS SPA. Styled by STEVEN CORALDE, JIA TORRATO, and NIÑA CUYANA of QURATOR INC. Production Design by ARJ MADARANG of JAGGER STUDIOS. Photography Assistants KARL RIMANDO, BUDDY REYES, DAVE ORPILLA, and RYAN ALBANO
Frequently Asked Questions
Domingo is recognized as one of Philippine cinema’s most versatile actresses, with a career spanning comedy, drama, and theater. Her portrayal of a fictional version of herself in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank is widely regarded as a landmark performance, earning critical recognition and bringing the film to international festivals.
Domingo approaches each role with a structured, theater-trained process — studying the script, the scene, the subtext, and the character’s motivations before filming begins. Equally important to her is remaining open and present during the shoot, allowing for spontaneity and the unscripted moments she describes as the magic of performance.
Domingo is openly dependent on the quality of the script, holding that even the most skilled actor is limited by the material they are given. She views scriptwriting and performance as inseparable — a strong script is the foundation from which a meaningful performance can be built.
Yes. Domingo has a background in theater arts, which informs her disciplined, text-first approach to preparing for roles across film and television. Her stage training is a consistent reference point in how she discusses the craft of acting and the importance of presence and listening in performance.
Domingo has spoken about her responsibility to use her platform to give voice to people who are not typically seen or acknowledged onscreen. She views her work as an opportunity to create space for underrepresented perspectives in Filipino film, framing visibility and respect as defining concerns of the current era in the industry.
