Can’t Buy Me Love’s Full Trailer Got Us Even More Excited For DonBelle’s First Teleserye

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Love comes with a price tag.

DonBelle brings the drama and the romance to primetime with their upcoming teleserye Can’t Buy Me Love, airing on October 13! We already can’t wait for the show to air.

Related: Can’t Buy Me Love: Donbelle Gets Their First-Ever Teleserye

Action, drama, and a whole lot of romance are in store for Bubblies and soon-to-be-Bubblies starting October 13! Can’t Buy Me Love, the upcoming teleserye starring Gen Z icons Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan, dropped its full trailer last Monday. The highly-anticipated primetime series looks to be an exciting romp filled with thrills and suspense, love and laughs, and of course, that classic DonBelle charm.

In the trailer, also seen in the series’ previous teaser, Caroline (Mariano) seems to be abducted by unknown men and left to drown, but Bingo (Pangilinan) saves her. She assumes he’s the one who kidnapped her, but eventually warms up to him, and so starts their unorthodox relationship. Quick scenes show Caroline and Bingo’s respective struggles with family and the treacherous road ahead involving deaths, dangers, and secrets—one that they’ll traverse together. It’s definitely something new from the couple—a love story tackling different cultures, crime, and an unusual first meeting between leads helmed by Mae Cruz Alviar, Cathy Garcia-Sampana, and Ian D. Loreños.

THE STORY OF CAROLINE AND BINGO

Belle Mariano’s Caroline Tiu is a wealthy daughter from a traditional Chinese family with a tumultuous relationship with her sister, and Donny Pangilinan’s Bingo Rivera is a young man working hard to provide for his family. The harm that befalls Caroline—her kidnapping and almost-drowning—we can assume is caused by her family’s wealth. Meanwhile, the trouble Bingo gets into, which is perhaps connected to Caroline’s problems, is caused by his own family’s lack of money to afford healthcare.

Caroline and Bingo meet at Caroline’s sister’s engagement party, where Bingo is working as a waiter. The stark contrast between Caroline’s high-society lifestyle and Bingo’s financial struggles paves the way for the series to explore the tensions between people of different class backgrounds and the lengths people go through to obtain money. It’s a fresh take on a tried-and-true trope that looks to rattle plenty of emotions from the audience.

A NEW ADVENTURE FOR DONBELLE

The phenomenal Gen Z loveteam DonBelle has made many root for their romance both on and off-screen since they were first paired up in teen series He’s Into Her (2021-2022). Since then, they’ve worked on rom-coms Love is Colorblind (2021) and An Inconvenient Love (2022).

Can’t Buy Me Love is their first foray into primetime television, and is a new challenge for the pair. However, throughout their different projects, DonBelle has shown that they can act with heart and do comedy, drama, and romance like nobody’s business. And whatever screen they’re on, their chemistry straight-up leaps out of it, as shown in the 2-minute trailer, so it’ll be exciting to see what they do with Caroline and Bingo. And further solidifying DonBelle’s first teleserye as a TV moment, the show will premiere on Netflix on October 13, a full three days before it airs on TV.

Can’t Buy Me Love also features a star-studded cast that includes Ruffa Gutierrez, Maris Racal, Albie Casiño, Nova Villa, Agot Isidro, Enzo Pineda, Rowell Santiago, Vivoree Esclito, Darren Espanto, Celeste Legaspi, Kaila Estrada, Karina Bautista, and Joao Costancia. Just from the trailer, we learn that the storyline is set to have many twists and turns, the production is grand and immersive, and that DonBelle is embarking on a thrilling new chapter.

Can’t Buy Me Love will premiere on Netflix on October 13, iWantTFC on October 14, and Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Jeepney TV, TFC, A2Z, and TV5 on October 16!

Continue Reading: 9 Times DonBelle’s Low-Key Relationship Sent Us On A Kilig Overload

8 Rom-Coms With Less Than 50% On Rotten Tomatoes That You Should Definitely Watch

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Bring on the popcorn.

A low critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes isn’t what makes a movie as these rom-coms make for a fun movie night—whether you want to spend the time hating or otherwise.

Related: Make Room in Your Watchlist for These New Movies and Shows of August 2023

Listen. We all have that one movie that flopped in more ways than one that we absolutely adore. Did you know that Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement only has 29% on Rotten Tomatoes? Shocking, I know. Of course, movie reviews—no matter how good or bad they are—are always subjective (just like this article!). That’s why below is a list of literally underrated romantic comedies that I think are worth a watch, even if they’re certified “rotten” on the review aggregator website.

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003)

I know—this is often deemed a classic. But this movie starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey only scored 42% on the Tomatometer (the review measuring scale on Rotten Tomatoes).

Well! While not perfect by any means, it offers a fun premise and committed performances. Andie Anderson (Hudson) is a “how-to” columnist for a women’s magazine. She gets the bright idea to act like a complete nightmare of a girlfriend for an article: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, inspired by her friend who can’t keep a relationship. Benjamin Barry (McConaughey) is an advertising executive who made a deal with his boss that if he can make any woman fall in love with him, he gets to lead a huge ad campaign. They meet at a bar, enact their plans, and you can guess what happens next.

CHASING LIBERTY (2004)

Chasing Liberty is from 2004. So, if its 18% Tomatometer score has anything to say about it, it has cheesy 2004 problems. Anna Foster (Mandy Moore) is sick of the constant pressures and limitations bestowed upon her as the daughter of the President of the United States. One night, on a trip to Prague, she decides to escape the watchful eyes of her protection detail and asks Ben Calder (Matthew Goode) for help. He accompanies her as she makes her way through Europe to attend a music festival in Berlin, while keeping his true identity as a Secret Service agent secret from her. You can bet the reveal turns out well (spoiler, it doesn’t).

Moore is effervescent and carefree, but also whiny and terribly naive, while Goode exudes leading man charm in this made-for-a-teen-audience rom-com.

LEAP YEAR (2010)

Can you tell the writer of this article is a Matthew Goode enjoyer? In this 2010 rom-com, he plays Declan O’Callaghan, a surly, sarcastic Irish pub owner, opposite the ever-so-sweet Amy Adams as prim and proper Anna Brady. Anna’s been waiting forever for her boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) to propose, so she decides to surprise him in Dublin and propose herself. She doesn’t make it there, though, and hires Declan—who needs money to keep his pub afloat—to bring her from Dingle to Dublin. The two start off as rocky as the gorgeous landscape of Ireland, and hijinks ensue.

Leap Year only has 23% on Rotten Tomatoes. A review by Tim Robey of the Daily Telegraph simply, hilariously, reads: “Poor Amy Adams.” Regardless, to this writer and definitely non-professional-movie-critic, Leap Year is sweet, funny, and boasts a lovely romance.

WHEN WE FIRST MET (2018)

Adam Devine’s Noah Ashby goes a long way to learn a great lesson in When We First Met. Noah’s been in love with Avery Martin (Alexandra Daddario) for three years, but she’s firmly put him in the friendzone and is set to marry Ethan (Robbie Amell). When he discovers a photobooth that sends him back in time to the time he and Avery first met, he tries a myriad of ways to win her over—all resulting in less-than-stellar outcomes in the future. Don’t worry—it’s fun to get mad at him for going about things the wrong way.

The film pairs classic rom-com tropes with a fantastical premise and a subversive take on the genre. At 43%, it’s not certified fresh, but it’s certainly not without its praise. Jeffrey Lyles of Lyle’s Movie Files says on Rotten Tomatoes, “While it’s predictable, the destination eventually makes the journey worthwhile and rewarding.”

MONTE CARLO (2011)

We all love a good identity theft moment. Monte Carlo, which is must-watch viewing for any Selena Gomez stan, follows graduating high school student Grace Bennett (Gomez), who looks an awful lot like the British heiress Cordelia Winthrop-Scott. On a trip to Paris, after being mistaken for the socialite, she assumes Cordelia’s identity and lives the high life with her friends Meg (Leighton Meester) and Emma (Katie Cassidy). She meets Theo Marchand (Pierre Boulanger), who knows of Cordelia’s spoiled personality, but eventually she wins him over.

At 40%, Monte Carlo is said to be “mostly silly, predictable stuff that never pushes beyond the boundaries of formula.” However, it delivers authenticity and a promise to be a great addition to a girls’ night movie watchlist.

SHE’S THE MAN (2006)

Speaking of identity theft, She’s the Man is one of the films that totally banked on the fake identity trope in the 2000s. Arguably Amanda Bynes’ most popular film role, it tells the story of high school soccer player Viola Hastings and her shenanigans. Viola, whose girls’ soccer team gets cut, assumes her twin brother Sebastian’s identity to prove her coach and her ex-boyfriend wrong for cutting the team. Viola, as Sebastian, befriends hotshot Duke (Channing Tatum) and they start to bond—but then so does Duke and Viola (as Viola). With all the secrecy and mistaken identities floating around, this movie’s sure to keep you on your toes.

Dated, ridiculous, yet enjoyable, She’s the Man is a comedic watch filled with great one-liners and awkwardness to boot.

HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU (2009)

For those of you who love a hot mess, this film is a heaping pile of it. He’s Just Not That Into You, a 41% scorer, is a romance-comedy-drama that follows the lives of a stacked ensemble cast. How does a movie with Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, Kevin Connolly, and Justin Long sound? From affairs and unwanted marriage talks to mixed signals and awkward assumptions, this movie presents relationships in all its glory as well as all its nitty gritty.

SHE’S ALL THAT (2006)

The mother of many clichés, She’s All That is a bucket list rom-com that checks off all the boxes. Quirky, spunky lead girl? Check. Popular hot guy with a hot ex-girlfriend? Check. A relationship based on a bet between bros? Check. Makeovers? Check. Jokes that won’t land today? Check. But Rachael Leigh Cook as Laney Boggs and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Zach Siler endearingly deliver wit, charm, and sincerity that will make you smile, even just a little bit.

She’s All That, despite its 41% rating, is a classic. It spawned an insane parody starring Captain America himself (Not Another Teen Movie, 2001), and a gender-swapped remake that did even worse than its predecessors (He’s All That, 2021), and probably countless more teen films over the years.

Clichéd, unfunny, bland chemistry, terrible acting—you’ve heard it all. But if you’re willing to open your mind to giving these rom-coms a chance, you’ll have a great time. (Hate-watching is also a great time). At the very least, you’ll be able to commiserate and laugh at all the reviews. And you never know—you might find a favorite worth defending.

Continue Reading: 8 Best Romcoms That Prove Fake-Dating Tropes Never Fail

5 Stories That Accurately Portray Asians In Mainstream Media…Plus The Ones We’re Rooting For

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Are we finally being seen beyond stereotypes?

While there’s still the issue of Asians being interchangeable in Hollywood, we’re finally seeing some progress when it comes to how we are being represented in mainstream media.

RELATED: Reclaiming The Queer Narrative In Romance, Gaya Sa Pelikula Proves That Our Truth Can Take Space Onscreen, Too

It’s enlightening to see that we are no longer a mere foil to white protagonists in stories. We have Crazy Rich Asians and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before being hit movies that have Asian leads. It’s comforting to see that it isn’t solely East Asians being represented anymore. As a kid, seeing people who looked like me in my favorite movie and TV shows made me feel seen. What more now that they have actual story arcs that we can relate to?

Disney and Nickelodeon were two of my go-to channels while growing up. I remember getting excited to watch Vanessa Hudgens (aka Gabriella Montez) and Kathleen from Hi-5 because they were both Filipino. But that representation only ended in their looks. Now, we’re seeing major streaming platforms and mainstream media delve deeper into diverse Asian cultures. And though there’s still a long way to go, we’re hopeful for the future as these companies are answering the call for POC representation and expand its exclusiveness.

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Set to release in March 2021, Raya and the Last Dragon is advertised as a new original animation, heavily influenced by Southeast Asian lore and cultures through their re-imagined kingdom, Kumandra. Vietnamese American actress Kelly Marie Tran is the new star of Disney’s animated original fantasy film. The film follows Raya—part princess, part warrior — and her journey to find the last dragon to save Kumandra from evil forces. Kelly makes history and becomes the first actress of Southeast Asian descent to lead a Walt Disney Animation Studios movie.

While we definitely have some reservations about the movie blanketing 11 countries and the hundreds of distinguished cultures in one generalized culture, we remain hopeful that kids who are watching will feel represented and that POC stories will be shown more in mainstream media from the success of this film.

BLUE’S CLUES

Blue’s Clues & You! stars Joshua Dela Cruz, a Filipino-American actor that filled the shoes of our childhood friends, Steve and Joe. Last November 20, the Nick Jr. star introduced his lola in the show, showing more of his Filipino roots by one simple gesture to show respect: the mano po. Much to the delight of Filipino-Americans watching the show, the episode also featured Bibingka, a Filipino rice delicacy.

FLOAT

The 2019 short film FLOAT is the first-ever all-Filipino CGI animated movie from Disney’s Pixar. Filipino-American Bobby Rubio created, produced, and directed the project. In FLOAT, a father discovers that his son is different from other kids in the most unusual way. To keep them both safe from judgement, the Dad covers him and keeps him out of sight—but when his son’s ability becomes public, the Dad must decide whether to run and hide or to accept his son as he is. The short film is a heartwarming metaphor of what ADHD children and their parents go through amidst societal pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHJx2ulPJIo

DISNEY UK’S 2020 CHRISTMAS ADVERT

We were no short of tears upon watching the Disney UK Christmas advert when it first came out. We’re sure we weren’t the only family with groupchats from abroad that were packing with notifications to reminisce the good days with their grandmothers. Because respect and love for the elderly is a big part of Filipino culture, the short film perfectly encapsulated the sentiment of Filipinos. And it’s undeniable that the Christmas spirit in the Philippines is unlike any other.

It all started with the short film re-imagining what the Philippines looked like on Christmas Day in the year 1940. Kalesas, parols, and jeepneys were portrayed within the first few seconds of the film. Later on, the little girl does the mano po gesture to her lola. As the granddaughter grows up, she loses connection with her lola, but one look at the beloved Mickey Mouse doll prompts a heartfelt reunion between the two.

NEVER HAVE I EVER

Netflix’s comedy-drama Never Have I Ever from Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher dropped last April. Inspired in part by Mindy’s own upbringing, Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age story of a South Asian girl, Devi Vishwakumar, who is Indian-American. It’s awkward, funny, and at times, hard-hitting at best. One of the aspects of the show that I enjoyed most is the way it embraces the beauty and challenges of being true to one’s self and the culture in which one is raised. It’s refreshing enough to binge-watch, but has substance enough to understand trauma, grief, and cultural barriers.