Back in the day, my grandparents weren’t big on TV, except when it came to one thing: the Filipino channel. I have vivid memories of snuggling up with them on the couch, immersed in the drama-filled soap operas, the nostalgic movies, and the lively variety shows that filled our lazy afternoons.
From laugh-out-loud comedies that make us roar with laughter to cheesy love stories that make us believe in biggest fairy tales, Filipino movies and TV have a way of captivating us. In this blog post, I’m excited to share my top picks: 5 romantic films that will sweep you off your feet, and 5 comedies that will knock your socks off.
If you wanna fall in love:

1. Barcelona: A Love Untold (2016)
“Hindi ako si Celine! So stop comparing me to her!” How can we forget Kathryn Bernardo’s iconic line? In this romantic drama, Mia and Ely both end up in Barcelona, trying to escape their past heartbreaks. Their paths cross, and they slowly start to heal together. But will love be enough to overcome their scars, or are some wounds too deep to heal?

2. Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019)
Joy is an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the bustling city of Hong Kong juggling multiple jobs to support her family back home. There, she meets Ethan, another Filipino worker. But as their romance blossoms, they find themselves facing a tough dilemma: Joy is determined to pursue her dreams of moving to Canada, while Ethan is content with his established life in Hong Kong.

3. Maybe This Time (2014)
Stephanie and Antonio were once sweethearts, but their relationship sours when he leaves her without a word, forcing her to learn to be tough and set her sights on bigger dreams. Years later, their paths unexpectedly cross again, with Stephanie now a successful career woman. Maybe this time, will their journey to rediscover love withstand the tests of time.

4. Para Sa Hopeless Romantic (2015)
Okay, I really like this one, and not just because the protagonist is a writer (but also, yes). Becca, a student and aspiring writer, channels her heartbreak into a novel where her characters, Ryan and Maria, struggle with their own love story. As Becca pours her emotions into her writing, her friends try to help her move on from her own past. Will Becca find closure through her writing, and will Ryan and Maria find their happy ending?

5. The Hows of Us (2018)
George and Primo are a couple dreaming of a future together, but life keeps getting in the way. As Primo’s music career stalls and George’s ambitions grow, their relationship gets tested. Watch them navigate the ups and downs of love, misunderstandings, and life’s pressures to see if they can make it work. Hands down my favourite Kathniel movie.
If you wanna laugh out loud:
6. Beauty and the Bestie (2015)
Erika reluctantly agrees to help her ex-best friend, undercover agent Emman, in impersonating Natalia Thalia Nutreila, the abducted beauty pageant contestant and daughter of the fictional country Uzeklovakia’s prime minister. As Emman and Erika handle their undercover mission, tensions increase, and old wounds reopen.

7. Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013)
When their youngest sibling and only brother CJ announces that he’s getting married to his girlfriend of four months in two weeks, the Salazar sisters don’t believe that they are truly compatible, and all rush home and plan to stop the wedding. However, it doesn’t take long for their reunion to expose the cracks in their familial and personal relationships…

8. Sisterakas (2012)
Bernice and Bernadette are half-siblings whose bitter rivalry dates back to when they were kids. When their father passed away, things went downhill from there which led to the two siblings never speaking to each other again. But that all changes when Bernadette applies to be Bernice’s assistant, not knowing that Bernice is her sister.

9. The Entitled (2022)
Netflix’s The Entitled is the Filipino Princess Diaries, with a unique twist brought to life by Alex Gonzaga’s humour (as seen on the movie poster with her tongue sticking out). Belinda, a poor orphan, is suddenly thrust into high society when her estranged father, a wealthy hotelier, makes contact. Now, she must unlearn her unsophisticated mannerisms and navigate the world of the elite.

10. The Mall, The Merrier! (2019)
Any movie featuring Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda is bound to be hilarious. In this fantasy comedy film, siblings Moira and Morissette feud over inheriting Tamol Mall, a struggling shopping center left by their deceased parents. They strike a deal: whoever generates the most sales will own the mall. But during their outrageous competition, Moira accidentally unlocks a magical spellbook, bringing the mall to life.

So whether you’re in the mood for a heart-wrenching romance or a laugh-out-loud comedy, these Filipino films have something for everyone. This Filipino Heritage month, grab some popcorn, get cozy, and dive into these captivating stories that are sure to make you laugh, cry, and maybe even fall in love all over again.
Happy watching!
