Fillipinos like to laugh and love to fall in love. This is why many of the highest-grossing movies in Philippine cinemas are in the romantic comedy genre or rom-com.
Star Cinema’s The Hows of Us starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla earned a record PhP800M at the tills in 2018.
The love team of Kathryn and Daniel known as Kathniel rules the Filipino rom-coms.
So far, every Kathniel movie has raked in more than PHP100M. Both Crazy Beautiful You (2015) and Can’t Help Falling in Love (2017) earned more than 300 million pesos each, while She’s Dating the Gangster (2014) earned more than 280 million pesos.
There are other love teams that have a string of successful rom-coms.
The rom-coms of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil—Just The Way You Are (2015) and My Ex and Whys (2017)—earned a total of more than 500 million pesos.
The love team of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz also had a series of hits: A Very Special Love (2008), You Changed My Life (2009), It Takes a Man and a Woman (2013), and Finally Found Someone (2017). All four films grossed a total of 1.1 billion pesos at the box office.
Other Filipino rom-coms that have earned at least 100 million pesos include You Changed My Life (2009); Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? (2013); The Gifted (2014); Always Be My Maybe (2016); Third Party (2016); Unexpectedly Yours (2017), and Cuddle Weather (2019).
The slate of rom-coms in Filipino cinemas was halted by the pandemic.
Now that cinemas are opening again, production of movies has resumed.
At the beginning of the year, Viva Films released Girlfriend na Pwede Na, which starred Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles. Benedict Mique was the director.
Viva Films also released Spellbound this February. This adaptation of a popular Korean film starred Bela Padilla and Marco Gumabao, and was directed by Jalz Zarate.
Here is a list of upcoming Filipino rom-coms for the rest of 2023:
Single Bells
SYNOPSIS
This film was also announced to be part of the MMFF Summer Edition. Not much plot details have been released as of press time.
Its lead actress Angeline Quinto, however, posted a note about it on Facebook: “Sa mga marurupok dyan... Mag-iingay tayo ngayong summer...So blessed to be part of the 1st ever Summer MMFF ngayong April... Salamat Lord sa pagkakataong makapag-entertain muli ng mga kababayan natin through our film Single Bells”
MAIN CAST
Angeline Quinto, Alex Gonzaga, Aljur Abrenica
Director: Fifth Solomon
Producer: Tincan
Premiere Date: April 8
Kunwari… Mahal Kita
SYNOPSIS
In Kunwari… Mahal Kita, Hydes, a resort worker, and Greg, the owner of the resort, has to pretend to be in a relationship to make Greg’s ex-wife jealous.
Ryza Cenon plays Hydes, while Joseph Marco plays Greg. Nathalie Hart also co-stars as the ex-wife Cindy.
In a Facebook post, Ryza said they started shooting this film in 2019, but they had to pause production because of the pandemic.
MAIN CAST
Ryza Cenon, Joseph Marco, Nathalie Hart
Director: Roderick Lindayag Producer: Viva Films
Premiere Date: March 15
LOVE YOU LONG TIME
SYNOPSIS
This film will also be a part of the MMFF Summer Edition. No plot details has been released yet. It is directed by JP Habac whose previous projects included the indie romcom I’m Drunk, I Love You and the LGBT-themed series Gaya sa Pelikula.
MAIN CAST
Carlo Aquino, Eisel Serrano
Director: JP Habac
Producer: Studio Three-Sixty
PREMIERE DATE: APRIL 8
Money Slapper
SYNOPSIS
This dark comedy wrapped up shooting in July 2022, and is expected to premiere this year. It was one of the 33 submissions to MMFF Summer Edition but did not make it to the Magic 8.
There’s buzz for this film because it stars John Lloyd Cruz. The multi-awarded actor also hand-picked Jasmine Curtis-Smith for his screen partner.
Of the role, Jasmine says there are a lot of daring scenes, which she only allowed herself to do if only to prove to the veteran actor he was right to choose her.
MAIN CAST
John Lloyd Cruz, Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Director: Bor Ocampo
Producer: TBA
Premiere Date: TBA
Monday First Screening
SYNOPSIS
Director Benedict Mique describes this movie as as “Senior Citizen romcom.” Mique was the director of Momol Nights, a romcom from 2019.
In a Facebook post, the director said he was incredibly proud of Monday First Screening because of its stellar cast, which includes Gina Alajar and Ricky Davao.
This new romcom was also one of the hopeful submissions to the MMFF Summer Edition but also didn’t make it to the Magic 8.
MAIN CAST
Gina Alajar, Ricky Davao
Director: Benedict Mique
Producer: Net25 Films
Premiere Date: TBA
Untitled KathNiel Project
SYNOPSIS
Fans are excited that KathNiel is doing another movie, which is set in the United States and currently in production with Cathy Garcia-Molina as director.
MAIN CAST
Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla
Director: Cathy Garcia-Molina
Producer: Star Cinema
Premiere Date: TBA
(ED'S NOTE: Sa naunang listahan ay kasama ang Here Comes The Groom, pero ayon sa film producer na si Atty. Joji Alonso, it ay comedy na may touch of romance.)