Everyone, it seems, trills to the kilig goodness experience.
And, as tacky as that may sound, it seems undeniable.
From one audience to another, through many generations, whether juvenile or adult or somewhere in between, Filipinos have shown a liking for loveteams. We support them. We demand more of their team-ups on the small and big screens. We form fan clubs around them. We track their movements. We get invested. We get involved.
With them, we blur the line between reel and real. And, as fan stories go, we like pushing the reel into becoming real.
We can deny it, but think: Did we not gush over Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin, Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes (DongYan), Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (KathNiel), and Nadine Lustre and James Reid (JaDine)?
Did Pinoy fans, here and abroad, not wish for theirs to be real romances?
And that's nowhere near the complete list. We can go back to the days of our black-and-white movies and find there even more loveteams, some of them even grander and many of them now iconic.
To a one, these loveteams had a chemistry onscreen that got us believing.
Now we have a next generation of loveteams sending out new ripples of excitement in Philippine showbiz: Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano (DonBelle), Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay (ALFia), Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin (FranSeth), KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad (KDLex), Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva, and Jerome Ponce and Krissha Viaje (KrisshRome).
DONNY PANGILINAN & BELLE MARIANO (DONBELLE)
The loveteam of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano is known as DonBelle.
Donny and Belle first headlined the Kapamilya Network's He's Into Her, a 2021 drama television series based on the 2013 Wattpad novel of Maxinejiji (Maxine Lat Calibuso).
The popularity of the series was not confined to the Philippines; internationally, it was noticed and nominated at the 2021 Venice TV Award in the Cross-Platform Programming category. It also won the national award in the Best Original Program category at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2021.
Belle became the first Filipina actress to be awarded a prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards for her role in this Wattpad book-turned-series.
Read: Belle Mariano wins Outstanding Asian Star Prize at Seoul International Drama Awards
After He's Into Her, DonBelle again proved itself a bankable loveteam in its first two movies—Love is Color Blind and An Inconvenient Love.
Read: Binge-watch DonBelle series and movies online
In 2024, Donny and Belle starred in their first Kapamilya Channel primetime series, Can't Buy Me Love, where they play Andrei/Bingo and Caroline/Ling.
Through 148 episodes, ending on May 10, 2024, the two Star Magic talents just kept bringing in the kilig goodness experience.
Read: DonBelle's Can't Buy Me Love main cast and their roles
Full Name and Age
Donato Antonio Pangilinan, 26
Belinda Angelito Mariano, 21
Talent Management Company: Star Magic
Remarkable Projects: He's Into Her (2021), Can't Buy Me Love (2024)
Upcoming Project: TBA
SOFIA PABLO & ALLEN ANSAY (AlFIA)
Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay, popularly known as AlFia, have quickly become one of fandom's beloved loveteams.
Their onscreen chemistry and offscreen friendship have attracted a strong following, especially among young people.
Sofia and Allen's team-up first began during the pandemic, when they became good friends because, as it happened, they were neighbors.
With the two unable to work because of health protocols then in place, they thought of doing their own collaborations on TikTok and YouTube. To their nice surprise, their videos garnered millions of views.
Finally, they caught the attention of GMA Sparkle. Allen was introduced in Season 2 of the GMA Afternoon prime series Prima Donnas, in 2022, which starred Sofia.
Then the two were formally launched as a loveteam and as part of the Sparkle Sweethearts, or the Next Big Loveteams of the Kapuso Network.
Read: Audience Favorites: 5 top-rating episodes of Prima Donnas from August 2019 to February 2020
In January 2023, they got their big break when they were cast in the lead roles of the GMA Primetime series Luv Is: Caught in His Arms, an adaptation of a popular Wattpad novel with the same title.
Read: Luv Is: Caught in His Arms cast and characters, synopsis
After the success of Luv Is: Caught in His Arms, they top-billed the GMA Network and Regal Entertainment weekly afternoon mini-series Raya Sirena in 2023.
Full Name and Age
Allen Ansay, 20
Sofia Beatrice Hijazi Pablo, 18
Talent Management Company: GMA Sparkle
Remarkable Projects: Prima Donnas (2022), Luv Is: Caught in His Arms (2023), Raya Sirena (2023)
Upcoming Project: TBA
FRANCINE DIAZ & SETH FEDELIN (FRANSETH)
Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, aka FranSeth, worked for the first time on the hit ABS-CBN afternoon series, Kadenang Ginto, in 2018.
At the time, Seth and Francine had different on-screen partners. Seth was paired with Andrea Brillantes; Francine was paired with Kyle Echarri.
It may be recalled that the four had a misunderstanding in January of 2022, when Francine and Seth were spotted at a gathering of Francine's family.
It turned out that Seth and Andrea were in a relationship at the time, and Andrea reacted to Seth being seen with Francine through a social media post.
This prompted Francine to clarify that she was not involved with Seth, nor did she even have a boyfriend. Andrea would later reveal that she used to date Seth but had since broken up with him.
Read: Francine Diaz: "Wala akong inahas, wala akong nilandi."
They may have come from different loveteams, but Seth and Francine were introduced by the Kapamilya Network as an onscreen pair in the acclaimed television series Dirty Linen, which concluded in 2023. And thus, their showbiz fates were sealed.
Read: Seth Fedelin on issue involving Francine, Andrea: "Walang problema na di naaayos."
Their winning portrayals in Dirty Linen opened numerous doors for FranSeth, and the two starred also in 2023 on another ABS-CBN mini-series, Fractured.
Full Name and Age
Seth Yancy Fedelin, 21
Francine Carrel Saenz Diaz, 20
Talent Management Company: Star Magic
Remarkable Projects: Dirty Linen (2023), Fractured (2023)
Upcoming Project: My Future You
DERRICK MONASTERIO & ELLE VILLANUEVA
Kapuso stars Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva are among our reel-turned-real-life couples.
Derrick and Elle went into their first ever, onscreen pairing in the GMA Afternoon Prime series, Return to Paradise, in which they portray the lead characters Red Ramos and Eden Santa Maria.
From there, their professional and personal relationships have grown beautifully.
Read: Da who or dasurv? Newbie Elle Villanueva proves her acting mettle in Return to Paradise
Indeed, Derrick and Elle developed a strong connection, spending a lot of time together outside the set.
Read: Is real-life romance possible between Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva?
Among the big events where the two were seen together are the first GMA Thanksgiving Gala (July 2022) and Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s Halloween Party (October 2022).
Read: Derrick Monasterio not offended when girlfriend Elle Villanueva criticizes his acting
In August 2023, the two confirmed their relationship.
Read: Derrick Monasterio calls girlfriend Elle Villanueva "gem" of GMA-7
The reel-to-real couple recently starred in the defunct GMA Afternooon revenge drama series, Makiling, marking their second teleserye together.
Trivia: Return to Paradise is the first-ever lead role for Elle.
Full Name and Age
Derrick Leander Monasterio, 28
Elle Villanueva, 28
Talent Management Company: GMA Sparkle
Remarkable Projects: Return to Paradise (2022), Makiling (2024)
Upcoming Project: TBA
KD ESTRADA & ALEXA ILACAD (KDLex)
Another Kapamilya loveteam on the list of PEP's Pairs We Ship is KDLex, or Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada.
Their journey as a loveteam began as the two stepped outside Kuya’s house in 2022, after they became housemates on Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10, where they formed a bond that captivated audiences.
In PEP's May 2023 cover interview, Alexa and KD shared the fact that the PBB House was not where the two first crossed paths.
Funny thing is, there were instances in the past when Alexa and KD would be in the same room of an event but would be totally unaware of each other’s presence.
These previous encounters, says Alexa, “were always very short” and “hindi mo masyadong maaalala.”
KD confirms this, “Marami kaming event na magkasama kami, pero hindi kami nagkikita, hindi kami nagkakausap.
“So, ayun po, it’s just very fitting lang na sabi ng universe, ‘Ay, hindi muna kayo magme-meet,’ ganyan.”
Read: Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada: Hearts and minds in tune
Their dynamic partnership has quickly brought in the fans. Which is why, after the successful debut of their loveteam, Alexa and KD were made to headline their first online mini-series, Run To Me, in 2022, followed by the ABS-CBN afternoon series, Pira-Pirasong Paraiso, in 2023.
On May 31, 2024, KDLex treated its fans to something special: it mounted its very first face-to-face concert, Add to Heart, KDLEX Concert, at the Music Museum.
Read: Alexa Ilacad, KD Estrada deliver kilig as Julia and Tenyong in Walang Aray
KD then starred as Tenyong and Alexa as Julia in Walang Aray, the February 2023 musical play held at the PETA Theater in Quezon City. (Talk about making a musical legit.)
Read: Alexa Ilacad, KD Estrada reveal struggles playing lead roles in PETA's Walang Aray
Aside from acting, Alexa and KD both have a talent for music, and have been dubbed showbiz's "Hottest Musical Pair," collaborating on songs such as "Misteryo" and "When I See You Again."
As to their relationship status, KDLex admitted in November 2022 that they were "exclusively dating."
Read: Alexa Ilacad, KD Estrada use photo-booth props to express love for each other
Full Name and Age
Alexandra Ilacad, 24
Kyle Daiñel Magno Estrada, 22
Talent Management Company: Star Magic
Remarkable Projects: Run To Me (2022), Pira-Pirasong Paraiso (2023)
Upcoming Project: TBA
JEROME Ponce & kriSsha viaje (KRISSHROME)
Completing the list of Pairs We Ship for PEP Best Bets 2024 are Jerome Ponce and Krissha Viaje, also known as KrisshRome.
Without doubt, the team-up of Jerome and Krissha is one of the breakout loveteams of 2023.
Both stars have been in the industry for years now, but it was their 2023 romantic drama, Safe Skies, Archer, that totally lifted their careers and gave rise to their loveteam. Krissha portrays Yanna, while Jerome portrays Hiro.
Read: Patok na tambalan nina Jerome Ponce at Krissha Viaje, nauwi na ba sa totohanan?
Safe Skies, Archer is the sequel to The Rain in España, the Viva One adaptation of The University Series by Gwy Saludes.
The two stars followed this success with another mini-series, Sem Break, which marks KrisshRome’s second project as a loveteam.
Full Name and Age
Joseph Jerome Gapido Porciuncula, 28
Krissha Viaje, 31
Talent Management Company: Viva Artists Agency
Remarkable Projects: Safe Skies, Archer (2023), Sem Break (2024)
Upcoming Project: TBA
