Can't Buy Me Love is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Mae R. Cruz-Alviar, Cathy Garcia-Sampana, Ian Loreños, Henry King Quitain, Petersen Vargas and Raymund B. Ocampo, it stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line up and worldwide on TFC from October 16, 2023 to May 10, 2024, replacing The Iron Heart and was replaced by High Street.
| Can't Buy Me Love | |
|---|---|
 Series finale promotional poster | |
| Genre | Romantic drama Soap opera |
| Written by | Generiza Reyes-Francisco Rona Co Gena de Jesus Tenaja Maan Fampulme Mary Pearl Urtola |
| Directed by | Mae R. Cruz-Alviar Cathy Garcia-Sampana Ian Loreños Henry King Quitain Petersen Vargas Raymund B. Ocampo |
| Starring | Donny Pangilinan Belle Mariano |
| Music by | Jessie Lasaten |
| Composer | Rico Blanco |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original languages | Filipino English Chinese (Hokkien) |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 148 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers | Sackey Prince Pendatun Kristine Prudencio Sioson |
| Production locations | |
| Cinematography | Dexter Dela Peña Marcial Tarnate III |
| Editor | Kathryn Jerry Perez |
| Camera setup | Single camera |
| Running time | 20-39 minutes |
| Production company | Star Creatives |
| Original release | |
| Network | Kapamilya Channel (cable and satellite TV only)[a] |
| Release | October 16, 2023 – May 10, 2024 |
Plot
editWhen a young man gets caught up in a deadly plot against a rich woman, he pays a devastating cost to free her — creating a debt that binds them together.[1]
Cast and characters
editMain cast
edit- Donny Pangilinan[2] as Andrei "Bingo" Mariano: A street-smart, hardworking Filipino boy who was adopted and raised by a poor, yet loving family in Binondo, Manila. Bingo explores different jobs until he begins a loving connection with Caroline after saving her life. Jeremiah Cruz also plays a young Bingo.
- Belle Mariano[2] as Caroline "Ling" Tiu: The black sheep and intelligent daughter of a wealthy Chinese-Filipino family. Caroline has a traumatic past caused by the death of her mother, and she seeks to find all the answers to her questions with the help of Bingo. Chastity Dizon also plays a young Caroline.
Supporting cast
edit- Nova Villa[2] as Salvacion "Lola Nene" Rivera: Bingo's loving adoptive grandmother, who lives in a tenement in Binondo, Manila.
- Rowell Santiago[2] as Wilson Tiu: The patriarch of the Tiu family and the president of Golden Lotus Corporation (GLC). Wilson is Caroline's father who adopted her into his family after her mother's death.
- Agot Isidro[2] as Cindy Young-Tiu: Wilson's legal wife and the mother of Charleston, Bettina and Irene. Cindy acts as a cold-hearted step-mother to Caroline.
- Ruffa Gutierrez[2] as Gina Tan: Wilson's mistress and Carlo's mother. Gina is a lawyer serving for the Tiu family, and also Cindy's accomplice.
- Ina Raymundo as Annie Pedrosa-Mariano† / Annie Pedrosa-Al Jufalli†: Bingo's mother, who abandoned him when he was a child. Annie is also seeking revenge against the Tiu family.
- Maris Racal[2] as Irene Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's youngest daughter and Caroline's half-sister. Irene is a spoiled, alcoholic and sarcastic girl, who later develops a love-hate relationship with Snoop. Althea Ruedas also plays a young Irene.
- Kaila Estrada[2] as Bettina Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's middle daughter and Caroline's half-sister. Bettina is a serious and independent young woman who is engaged to Edward. She was responsible for killing Caroline's mother, Divine when she was young. Jana Agoncillo also plays a young Bettina.
- Albie Casiño[2] as Charleston Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's eldest son and Caroline's older half-brother. Charleston is a rebellious young man who has a protective and caring side for Caroline.
- Anthony Jennings as Alfonso "Snoop" Manansala: Bingo's street-smart best friend with a sense of humor. Snoop later forms a romantic bond with Irene.
- Joao Constancia[2] as Carlo Tiu: Gina and Wilson's illegitimate son and Charleston's younger half-brother and accomplice. Robbie Wachtel also plays a young Carlo.
- Darren Espanto[2][b] as Stephen Tanhueco: Caroline's childhood friend.
- Celeste Legaspi[2][c] as Catherine "Cathy" Chang: A Filipino-Chinese businesswoman and Wilson's aunt, who becomes a mentor to Caroline and Irene.
Recurring cast
edit- Rafael Rosell as Sherwin Yuchengco: Annie's trusted ally, Balong's boss, and Nathan's father. Sherwin develops an interest for Bettina.
- Ketchup Eusebio as Ramoncito "Monching" Rivera: Bingo's adoptive father and Lola Nene's son, who also lives at the tenement in Binondo.
- Enzo Pineda as Edward Liao†: The only son of the Liao family who is engaged to Bettina. Edward has an affair with Liv.
- Chie Filomeno as Jersey Lim: Caroline and Stephen's best friend.
- Vivoree Esclito[2][d] as Pandora "Dara" dela Cruz: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo. She is also an online seller.
- Karina Bautista[2] as Bougie Dimaranan: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
- Rhen Escaño as Olivia "Liv" Almario: Bettina's best friend and Edward's lover.
- Alora Sasam as Bierna: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
- Gello Marquez as Koriks: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
- Hyubs Azarcon as Valentin "Kap Tin" de Jesus: A barangay captain in Binondo.
- Ronnie Lazaro as Abalos "Balong" Pelonio: A mysterious man seeking revenge against the Tiu family.
Guest cast
edit- Shaina Magdayao as Divine Almazan†: Caroline's late mother.
- Bernard Palanca as Ronald Mariano†: Bingo's late father.
- Alex Medina as Felix Pelonio
- Mark Manicad as Bert†
- Alwyn Uytingco as Jared
- Katya Santos as Edna
- Bodjie Pascua as Albert Liao: Edward's father and Wilson's business partner.
- Adriana Agcaoili as Marietta Liao: Edward's mother.
- Jay Gonzaga as Jaime de Guzman†
- Kakai Bautista as Yaya Ikay: A housekeeper for the Tiu family and Caroline's personal maid.
- Tart Carlos as Patricia "Pato" Bugtong: A former housekeeper for the Tiu family who keeps a dark secret.
- Mitch Valdez as Prudencia
- Isay Alvarez-Seña as Doc Kat: Caroline's therapist.
- Frenchie Dy as Pepper
- Cheska Iñigo as Diane: An executive assistant for Golden Lotus Corporation.
- Olive Isidro as Phoebe
- Karl Gabriel as Bob
- Argel Saycon as Boloy
- Igi Boy Flores as Neco: One of the workers at Cathy's company.
- Matt Evans as Emong: One of the workers at Cathy's company.
- Anna Luna as Kida: One of the workers at Cathy's company.
- Peewee O' Hara as Yaya Lyn: Annie's personal maid.
- Shanaia Gomez as Kara
- Emmanuelle Vera as Geline
- Jake Ejercito as Aldrich Co: A businessman whom Irene is interested.
- Cris Villanueva as Gilbert "Ibe" Bautista: A former engineer who resides in La Sinfonia.
- Aya Fernandez as Carissa: A female chef and Charleston's ex-girlfriend.
- Freddie Webb as Dr. John Capistrano: An ophthalmologist who helped Lola Nene regain her eyesight.
- Raul Montesa as Toni Alumahan: A retired investigator.
- Ayen Munji-Laurel as Charry Tanhueco: Stephen's mother.
- Audie Gemora as Brian Tanhueco: Stephen's father.
- Floyd Tena as Atty. Philip San Diego: Sherwin's lawyer.
- Kuya Manzano as Ahmed Al Jufalli: Annie's ex-husband.
- Luis Manzano as a restaurant waiter.
- Cloud Ramos
- Clyde Cruz as Chris
- Lotlot Bustamante
- Nicole Cordoves as one of the employees at Golden Lotus Corporation.
- Von Lopez
- RJ Ledesma as Atty. Joey
- John Adajar as Paulo
- Luis Antonio Dominguez
- Cassandra Chan
Production
editPrincipal photography commenced in August 2023.[3]
Music
editThe theme song of Can't Buy Me Love is a 2023 version of "You'll Be Safe Here" performed by Moira Dela Torre.[4] A re-recorded version of "You'll Be Safe Here" by Rico Blanco is also featured in the series.[5] Two original songs also include "Autumn" by Ben&Ben and Belle Mariano,[6] and "Iyo" by Darren Espanto.[7]
The musical score for the series was composed by Jessie Lasaten.
Release
editCan't Buy Me Love streamed with advanced episodes first on Netflix on October 13, 2023, and on iWantTFC on the following day, before releasing on free-to-air television platforms on October 16, 2023.[8][9]
Reception
editOnline viewership
editCan't Buy Me Love was a success upon its premiere, garnering 454,413 concurrent live viewers on YouTube, and soared as the number-one most watched series on Netflix Philippines.[10][11]
Ratings
editAccording to Kantar Media, the series received a television ratings of 11.6%, beating its rival program Love Before Sunrise (9.7%).[12] According to AGB Neilsen, the pilot episode of the series generated 8.0% over its rival Love Before Sunrise with 7.1%.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ "DonBelle's 'Can't Buy Me Love' to premiere in October". Rappler. September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Meet the cast of DonBelle teleserye 'Can't Buy Me Love'". ABS-CBN News. September 11, 2023.
- ^ "Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano begin taping for 'Can't Buy Me Love'". ABS-CBN News. August 1, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "Produced the OST of the most anticipated #DonBelle series "Can't Buy Me Love", interpreted by the ever awesome @moiradelatorre". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ "Rico Blanco records own version of 'You'll Be Safe Here'". ABS-CBN News. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Belle Mariano and Ben&Ben Release 'Autumn'". myx.global. March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Darren Espanto releases Tagalog version of 'Iyo'". ABS-CBN News. February 12, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ "DonBelle's 'Can't Buy Me Love' to premiere on Netflix on October 13". ABS-CBN News. September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ^ "Poster of 'Can't Buy Me Love' drums up fans' excitement". ABS-CBN News. September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ^ ""Can't Buy Me Love" pilot grabs first and multiple spots on X, registers 454,413 live concurrent viewers | ABS-CBN Entertainment". ent.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "'Can't Buy Me Love' ng DonBelle, No. 1 agad sa Netflix Top 10 TV shows". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ Paglicawan, Mc Richard (October 18, 2023). "'Can't Buy Me Love' premiere pulls in impressive viewership numbers". LionhearTV. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "'Can't Buy Me Love' ng DonBelle, naungusan sa ratings ang 'Love Before Sunrise' ng BeaDen". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ Mia, Ron (October 25, 2023). "'Can't Buy Me Love' scores new all-time high ratings". LionhearTV. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
Notes
edit- ^ The series also airs on A2Z (analog free TV in Manila only, and digital TV in Nationwide only), Jeepney TV (cable and satellite TV only), Kapamilya Online Live, and TV5 (free TV in Nationwide). Also available on-demand via iWantTFC and Netflix (Philippines only) for advanced episodes.
- ^ Credited as Darren.
- ^ Credited as Ms. Celeste Legaspi.
- ^ Credited as Vivoree.
