From Kathryn Bernardo to Nadine Lustre, these stars are letting it be known that the bag can still be secured with solo projects.
Related: These Stars Went Solo At The Star Magical Prom And Still Shined
The concept of the love team in Philippine entertainment has existed for as long as the industry itself. Generations may change, but love teams will always be there. But while being in a love team has its benefits and career boosts, there’s also no denying that being closely associated with just one person for years isn’t the dream scenario. After all, actors deserve to be allowed to grow and explore different sides of their artistry, which includes pursuing projects outside the realm of their love team.
This is why it’s been exciting to see stars, all of whom are in or came from some of the biggest love teams of the generation, jump on solo projects, and book lead roles at that. Not only are these new movies and shows more ways for these actors to flex their skills, but the audience can get treated to new stories. Here are just a few stars who recently secured that solo bag.
KATHRYN BERNARDO
KathNiel was, is, and will continue to be one of the most beloved love teams in Philippine entertainment history. But Kathryn Bernardo is that box office queen who can nail any role. And this 2023, we’re about to witness Kathryn’s solo era as she’s set to lead Star Magic’s A Very Good Girl. Directed by Petersen Vargas and written by Marionne Dominique Mancol, A Very Good Girl features an “eat-the-rich” concept from the youth’s perspective and going against the system. It will also see Kath team up with Dolly de Leon and is slated to be released later this year. Consider our tickets reserved.
A Very Good Girl (2023) | Elena 1944 (2024)#NMAKathryn #NewMovieAlertKathryn#AVeryGoodGirl #Elena1944 pic.twitter.com/zGgecPXnZc
— Star Cinema (@StarCinema) March 27, 2023
And if that wasn’t enough, Kath will also star in Elena, 1944, a historical drama about a comfort woman during the Japanese occupation. This film finds her working with ABS-CBN Film’s subsidiary, Black Sheep, for the first time and reuniting with Inang Olivia M. Lamasan seven years after Barcelona: A Love Untold. It’s a bold move to lead a film centered on a sensitive topic, but if anyone can do it, it’s Kathryn Bernardo.
LIZA SOBERANO
Liza Soberano has wrapped filming her Hollywood debut feature on Zelda Williams' 'LISA FRANKENSTEIN' with Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse pic.twitter.com/YimhRxLqP1
— Philippine TV & Film Updates (@phtvandfilmupd) September 18, 2022
When Liza Soberano dropped her This Is Me vlog in February, she shook the industry with her truth. While there’s no denying a good portion of Liza’s fame is attached to the LizQuen love team, the A-list star also deserves to do projects as a solo artist. This 2023, we’re getting just that with Liza’s Hollywood debut in Lisa Frankenstein, a horror-comedy written by Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer’s Body). And this is just what’s been confirmed. Who knows what other projects Liza has been securing behind the scenes? Whatever her next projects may be, we can’t wait to see Hope spread her wings.
NADINE LUSTRE
If haters thought that Nadine Lustre lost her touch in acting over the years, they were sadly mistaken. With Deleter, not only did it prove that Nadine was the new scream queen in town with her acclaimed performance, but it showed that she’s still a box office star. Her bagging Best Actress at MMFF was the cherry on top.
More (dark) magic is in the air this 2023 as Nadine is set to reunite with director Mikhail Red later this year for a new horror film, Nokturno. The movie will center on a Filipino family and a daughter who lives overseas as they get haunted by a primal and supernatural curse. And keeping it within the Red family, Nadine is set to co-star in a Rae Red project, rumored to be the Road Killers series.
DONNY PANGILINAN
Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano are shining as bright as the summer sun with 2023 being the debut of DonBelle’s first-ever teleserye. But even if he’s one-half of a supernova love team, Donny still finds time to lead solo projects. Fresh from his indie film debut in 2022, Donny is set to star in Prime Cruz’s Esports film, GG. Donny is playing Seth, an aspiring gamer that has to face a challenging family environment as he ventures into “competitive barkada gaming.”
Considering the cultural significance of gaming amongst Filipino youth and Donny’s own love for gaming, it feels like the perfect role for the actor. Joining him in the movie is his mom, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, who is playing Seth’s mom. Mediaworks, the media company of Anthony Pangilinan’s (Donny’s dad) The Anthony Pangilinan Group, is set to co-produce with Manny V. Pangilinan’s Cignal Entertainment. Donny’s sister Hannah, on the other hand, will also be onboard as the creative producer. Talk about a family affair.
ANDREA BRILLANTES
For Andrea Brillantes’ past two shows, Lyric and Beat and Saying Goodbye, she was paired up with her former reel-to-real love team partner, Seth Fedelin. But for Blythe’s future projects, she’s striking out on her own. Her most imminent series is arguably the most unique and exciting of her career as she’s starring in the drag-themed show, Drag You and Me. Based on the teaser trailer, Andrea plays a young woman who finds a family among drag queens and aspires to be like them. That is, until, she faces society’s homophobia and judgment. We’re very much here for Andrea transforming into a queen in a series that explores the Filipino LGBTQIA+ scene.
LOOK: Ang unang teaser ng upcoming Dreamscape x iWantTFC series na “Drag You and Me” starring Andrea Brillantes, Christian Bables, and JC Alcantara! @DreamscapePH @iamandrea_b @imJCAlcantara @chrisbables06 pic.twitter.com/zRWuXEmDVi
— KPEx Official (@OfficialKpex) March 31, 2023
Continue Reading: 11 Filipino Movies And TV Shows That Should Be On Your 2023 Must-Watch List
