Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano trade the streets of Binondo for the beaches of La Union for their latest digital series.
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As much as we love a riveting drama or edge-of-your-seat horror in this house, there are also those moments where we prefer our movies and shows to be light and let the vibes take over. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a lighthearted rom-com now and then? And to that end, Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano serve up a plate of lighthearted rom-com action, feels, and sun and surf with coffee on the side with their latest series, How to Spot a Red Flag. With the first two episodes out now on Viu, we break down a few things you can expect from this tale of catfishing gone potentially right.
MAMA A CATFISHER BEHIND YOU
Set in the sand and surf of La Union, How to Spot a Red Flag follows Cha Fontanilla (Belle Mariano), a strong-willed and determined barista, and Matt Flores (Donny Pangilinan), a soon-to-be businessman who just moved back to his hometown after studying in Manila. Over a few months, we find Cha in the talking stage with someone who is believed to be Matt and they decide to meet in person for the first time. But it turns out that Cha was catfished, as she catches Matt giving flowers to his girlfriend, Christine. A confrontation ensues that leads to, among other things, Matt breaking up with his girlfriend after she decides to follow her calling of being a missionary to Uganda.
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However, it seems that Matt and Cha’s hostile first impression of each other and misunderstanding might change as Matt decides to extend peace to Cha, leading to a potential friendship and maybe even something more. In the first two episodes, the show introduces Donny and Belle’s characters as confident young people with their own ambitions, but, like many Gen Z, fall victim to the struggles of modern love in the age of social media, like fake accounts, and catfishing, and online identities hiding secrets.
Making things even more complicated, it turns out that it was Matt’s close friend, JR, who used Matt’s photos to catfish Cha because he thought that the only way she would talk to him was by pretending to be Matt. Oh, and the gag is that Matt knows JR pretended to be him to talk to Cha. We see you potential love triangle.
A DIGITAL SERIES ON DIGITAL LOVE
While it might seem that the red flag referenced in the title is about Matt, the show looks beyond that and instead gives an honest look into the red flags we often find in the digital age. As Matt tries to win Cha’s trust, we look to be getting a fun and lighthearted story of misunderstandings, trust, connection, and the ever-confusing world of young love. If someone seems like a red flag to you at first, does that make them a red flag forever? Is it a red flag if you catch feelings for someone you thought was a red flag?
They’re questions many of us have or are trying to answer, and so too will the series. It’s relatable in the sense that the show’s themes revolve around how social media has changed the dating game (the series includes pop-ups to explain certain concepts like Talking Stage and Catfishing), and, in general, it’s a scenario that you or someone you know has gone through.
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How many times have you thought you met “the one” online only to be disappointed when you meet them IRL? And it’s all told through a light and vibrant setting that ditches the heavy drama for fun times and vibes at the beach. Having a show like this take place at La Union gives it an effortless, laidback, and charming energy.
Joining Donny and Belle in the series is an A-list cast that includes Jameson Blake, Christian Vasquez, Benjie Paras, Mylene Dizon, Angel Aquino, Kira Balinger, and Esnyr Ranollo. Topping it all off, award-winning director and writer Dwein Baltazar, who you may know for directing Third World Romance and Hello Stranger: The Movie, is bringing the show to life as its director. Okay talent.
It’s a love story that’s easy to get into with humor and heart, and one you want to see through to the end to know what happens with Matt and Cha. It is honestly a low stakes show, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And at around 20 minutes per episode, it’s a short watch that makes for a casual binging session if you want that beachside kilig. Coffee lovers can also get something out of How to Spot a Red Flag with both leads being involved in the coffee business one way or another (lowkey need to try that orange coffee).
How to Spot a Red Flag, the first local original series collaboration between Viu and ABS-CBN, is currently streaming on Viu with new episodes dropping weekly.
Continue Reading: 6 Red Flags Every Stan Should Avoid
