A photo posted by STAR Cinema (@starcinema) on Oct 27, 2016 at 3:37am PDT

MANILA - Angelica Panganiban has become one of the best actresses in Philippine showbiz, according to award-winning movie director Maryo J. De Los Reyes.

De Los Reyes, who is working with Panganiban for an upcoming Star Cinema film, said the "That Thing Called Tadhana" star should inherit the title of "Dramatic Queen" from Vilma Santos, based on her recent performances --both in television and in the silver screen.

"Kasi she can do comedy, drama, a little bit sexy --she can do everything," De Los Reyes gushed about Panganiban. "Siya iyong dapat i-elevate na natin na superstars na. Kasi kailangan i-akyat natin sila na. Panahon na kasi lahat tayo, tumatanda. We need space in the industry to move everybody kasi andami na ring mga bata na gustong pumasok. So we have to push."

Panganiban is the lead female star of De Los Reyes' new project "The Unmarried Wife." In it, she plays a woman who is trying to rebuild her life after a failed marriage.

De Los Reyes described his newest feature as an "important" one as it aims, according to him, to incite discussion among Filipinos about divorce, adultery, and other similar taboo topics.

A photo posted by STAR Cinema (@starcinema) on Oct 27, 2016 at 3:39am PDT

A photo posted by STAR Cinema (@starcinema) on Oct 27, 2016 at 3:38am PDT

A video posted by STAR Cinema (@starcinema) on Oct 27, 2016 at 3:58am PDT

The film, produced by Star Cinema, will reunite Panganiban with actor Dingdong Dantes, whom she previously worked with in dramas such as 2012's "One More Try" and "Segunda Mano."

Asked about how it was like doing scenes with Dantes now compared to before, Panganiban said: "Ang laki na ng difference ngayon ni Dindgong. Talagang napapanga-nga ako sa kanya ngayon kapag umaarte siya."

"Hindi ko ine-expect --sobrang flawless nung performance na pinakita niya. Ang galing galing niya. Ang laki siguro nung natulong iyong sobrang tahimik at masaya iyong buhay niya --parang wala na siyang insecurities sa katawan niya."

Slated for a November 16 release, "The Unmarried Wife" will also star Paulo Avelino.