TOP 5: Memorable Filipino rom-coms of the last 15 years

It's impossible to talk about Philippine cinema without mentioning the presence of the increasing number of rom-com content. This is one genre that solidify the taste of our mainstream audience, and most especially, the way most of us go to the cinemas. The list of Filipino rom-com titles goes from being handy to almost endless. But out of these are some pretty memorable titles worthy enough for discussion as one of our local cinema's best. They are: 

1) Kita-Kita (Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, 2017)

The charm of ‘Kita-Kita’ was a result of an unexpectedly effective chemistry between its two lead stars Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez. The two resorts to their signature acting styles, de Rossi leaning on drama while Marquez focusing on his comedic prowess. Director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo utilized their contrasting substances and blended it into something quite poignant and ultimately tender. 

2) Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (Jose Javier Reyes, 2006)

The granddaddy of rom-coms in the last 15 years. This film, led by Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo boasts of sarcasm and nothing but painful truths and facets of marriage in the Filipino sphere. It’s laugh-out-loud fun, especially when it hits you with its honest punches. If you’re looking for a dummy guide in learning different Filipino cultures, I couldn’t recommend this enough.

3) That Thing Called Tadhana (Antoinette Jadaone, 2014)

The underdog feature in this list. This film is part of the many independent works that premiered in Cinema One Originals Film Festival. But its viewers during the run can’t seem to help but fall in love with the tandem of Mace and Anthony (played by the amazing Angelica Panganiban and JM De Guzman), resulting to a series of sold-out screenings, and eventually becoming a cultural benchmark of what it is now. People call it the Filipino version of Richard Linklater’s ‘Before Trilogy,’ a testament of how damn good it is.

4) A Very Special Love (Cathy Garcia-Molina, 2008)

What happens when you put John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo in one movie? As good as it sounds like, the star-power appeal of this Cathy Garcia-Molina flick doesn’t undermine of how this one turned out: an essential kilig flick for the ages. The charm of the film does not only came from their surprisingly good chemistry, but of how insanely fun they look while making it. 

5) Love You To The Stars and Back (Antoinette Jadaone, 2017)

This 2017 break-out film reinforces Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto as one of the most talented teen actors of this generation. Unlike the previous four entries in this list, the film could easily be categorized more as a drama, injected with some of the most heartbreaking movie moments. But the journey going there couldn’t be hilarious enough, with Barretto and Garcia’s characters going to unexpected pit stops on their road trip, with a chicken named Goldie riding along!




Photos courtesy of Star Cinema, Viva Films and Spring Films

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