Before Kathniel and Jadine graced our screens, love teams were around. Television and soap operas have showcased romantic-themed movies and shows since the Philippine cinema was born. Many love teams made people feel “kilig” and giddy from the 1940s to the 1960s. After World War II, the local film industry expanded in the country. The movie studio system was established, with Sampaguita and LVN Pictures leading.
Up to now, romance-themed media are being produced by the entertainment industry. Let’s delve into the memories from past love teams that were loved and whose stories we made our own!
Kathniel
If Love Teams were a game of online bingo, then we would have hit the jackpot with Kathniel. Kathniel is the tandem formed by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo. The two first starred in the Sunday afternoon teen-oriented series Growing Up in 2011 and became one of the most enduring on-screen pairs until their real-life breakup. Their television shows and high-grossing movies remain timeless, with the duo cementing their status as one of the best love teams in Filipino showbiz until their recent breakup.
After first starring in the Sunday afternoon teen-oriented series Growing Up in 2011, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla would be one of the most enduring pairs on-screen. Today, with their countless TV shows and high-grossing films, the KathNiel duo has cemented their status as one of the timeless love teams of Philippine showbiz.
The duo showcased their primetime star power with The Princess and I, after Growing Up. In the royalty-themed teleserye, Bernardo is Mikay, the king’s long-lost daughter. Daniel’s character, Gino, enters the fray when Mikay goes to the Philippines from the kingdom of Yangdon. Their notable shows include Got To Believe, La Luna Sanggre, and The House Arrests of Us. For movies, She’s Dating the Gangster (2014), Barcelona: A Love Untold (2016) to The Hows of Us (2018) are some of the classic Kathniel movies.
In August 2018, the two had confirmed their real-life relationship. The announcement pleased the fans. However, five (5) years later, the couple broke up, in a collab social media post after eleven years of dating.
John Lloyd and Bea
Another loved couple in reel life was John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Their practical chemistry onscreen helped cement their popularity and effectiveness. Bea and John Lloyd have worked together and collaborated in box office hit films and award-winning teleseryes, including their first telenovela, “It Might Be You”(2003).
However, their true mark on Filipino cinema is the phenomenal hit movie One More Chance as Basha and Popoy. Both of them have never become a real-life couple. However, they remain good friends and have plenty of affection for each other. They’ve pursued their own lives and careers separately.
Marian and Dingdong
Marimar charmed everyone with the sizzling chemistry between Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. In the show, Marian’s Marimar falls in love with Sergio, but their love is thwarted by Sergio’s family, who go out of their way to separate them. Their success was replicated by their following projects, One True Love and You To Me Are Everything. In 2014, the pair married in a grand wedding ceremony with eminent guests.
They now live with their two (2) children. Last 2023, the two of them stared in Rewind, which became atop grosser in the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Aga and Lea
Although Aga Muchlach and Lea Salonga have only co-starred in two (2) hits, they both had great chemistry. Fans have been shipping the two ever since their starrer films. The most beloved movie the two had was Sana Maulit Muli, which saw them endure a long-distance relationship.
In real life, the actors remain good friends. Salonga has remained open to doing another movie with Muhlach as long as it surpasses the success of Sana Maulit Muli.
Wrapping Up
Some of the best love teams of our time are not only the current but also the past. They remain a part and manifestation of the romantic in our culture. They also give us joy – and a lot more to root for.