Every generation has celebrity love teams who capture the public’s hearts and imaginations. Our grandparents had Susan Roces and Fernando Poe, while our parents had Sharon and Gabby. As young girls (and maybe even adults!) we have laughed, cried and dreamed with them while hugging throw pillows in front of the TV. I’m talking about our favorite onscreen love teams! How could we ever forget them, when they have played such a big part of our lives, not just when we were growing up but even to this day? Here we look back at 10 unforgettable onscreen love teams that have dominated Philippine prime time television and cinema.
1. Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez
They were one of the showbiz love teams who went from reel love to real life and set hearts aflame back in the early ’90s with their movie Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. The movie won numerous awards, and they have since starred in a couple of movies and teleseryes together. Although their relationship ended back in the day, their onscreen chemistry still never fails to make fans (and their fans’ kids) kilig with their past and present projects.
2. Judy Ann Santos and Wowie de Guzman
Having first starred together in the 1997 teleserye Esperanza, Judy Ann, or Juday, and her onscreen partner Wowie were one of the biggest love teams to hit Philippine television in the late ’90s. They then starred in many other movies together like Esperanza: The Movie, Paano Ang Puso Ko? and Kasal Kasalan Sakalan. Wowie is also known to be Judy Ann’s first boyfriend.
3. Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan
Along with Judy Ann and Wowie, these two dominated Philippine television and cinema back when cropped tops and platform sandals were in. Claudine Baretto and Rico Yan were the couple of the ’90s, especially since they were linked romantically in real life. They had chemistry on screen as they starred in television dramas Mula sa Puso and Saan Ka Man Naroroon. This was even more evident in movies like Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita and Got 2 Believe. Things ended tragically, though, with Rico’s sudden death.
4. Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Augustin
One of the love teams that defined the ’90s for some teenagers would be the Jolina and Marvin. Their love team started with the TV series Gimik (where a lot of other love teams started) and subsequently starred in movies Flames: The Movie, Labs Kita…Okey Ka Lang, Hey Babe! and a lot more. They never officially confirmed their off screen relationship, but that didn’t stop people from speculating! The pair recently reunited in the TV series Flordeliza.
5. Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales
These two sure made a lot of teenage girls cry buckets back in the early 2000s, and, boy, did we wish they would end up together in real life! They first starred in the TV series Pangako Sa’Yo and later, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas. Both series had huge followings. Their movies Forevermore and Ngayong Nandito Ka were also both successful.
[crp]6. Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz
These two definitely grew up before our eyes. From their It Might Be You days to The Mistress, these two have evolved as artists and matured along with their audience. Aside from a number of successful soap operas, they also starred in a lot of popular movies together such as Now That I Have You, Miss You Like Crazy and the film that made thousands of Filipinos ugly cry, One More Chance.
7. Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson
These two started as hopefuls in the reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother. He was the cute Fil-Am from General Santos, and she the Chinita from Cebu. As they left the house, they became one of the most popular love teams of the day. They starred in various shows, television series and movies in the following years. They were also in a relationship for a good 4 years.
8. Julia Montes and Coco Martin
Nevermind the big age gap—these two kept us hooked to our televisions back in 2012 with their television drama Walang Hanggan (which was somehow based on Dawn and Richard’s Hihintayin Kita sa Langit). The TV series become such a hit that the two were catapulted into further stardom. They then starred in the movie A Moment in Time and another TV series, Ikaw Lamang.
9. Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla
Known as “Kathniel,” Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla became a national phenomenon back in 2012 when they both starred in the television series Princess and I. The whole country was all about Mikay and Gino, the roles they played in the show. And they made fans swoon all the more when Daniel admitted to having feelings for Kathryn. They followed up their success with another successful television series, Got to Believe. Movies such as She’s Dating the Gangster and Crazy Beautiful You followed. Daniel and Kathryn are known as the Teen King and Teen Queen of Philippine show business.
10. Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil
The latest love team to make waves on Philippine television would be Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil of Forevermore. The pair are rumored to have a mutual understanding, and the whole nation is eagerly waiting for the next events surrounding this pair, both on and off screen.
We’re sure the kilig vibes and memories came rushing back as you went through this list. Although most did not end up as real life lovers, they never failed to make our hearts melt in the reel world. Who are your favorites? Or did we miss listing your fave love team ever? Leave a comment to share.