Unexpected pairings, love take the lead in two new films

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Not all love stories are built to go viral — but some just do. In the hit Viva One digital series, “Mutya ng Section E,” even Ashtine Olviga and Andres Muhlach didn’t expect their pairing to spark an overwhelming following. And yet here they are — headlining their first movie, “Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para kay Luna,” and gearing up for a sold-out fan concert at Araneta. It wasn’t planned, but clearly, something clicked.

Meanwhile, in “Meg & Ryan,” Rhian Ramos and JC Santos show that even first-time screen partners can deliver the kind of chemistry you can’t script. With a love story that takes its time — and a director who waited over a year to get every detail right — it’s about second chances, quiet timing, and the beauty of something simply falling into place.

Two different films. Two unexpected tandems. But one quiet truth: sometimes, the best love stories are the ones no one saw coming.

Ashtine Olviga and Andres Muhlach headline their first movie, 'Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para kay Luna.' TMT PHOTO

AshDres: Young love in full bloom

It’s a pairing that was never part of the plan — but even the most kilig-shy viewer might have to admit, there’s an undeniable magic between Ashtine Olviga and Andres Muhlach.

After taking the streaming world by storm through Viva One’s breakout hit “Mutya ng Section E,” the Jay-Jay and Keifer tandem — better known as #JayFer to the fandom that practically willed them into mainstream consciousness — is now about to test its charm in the unforgiving glare of the big screen.

Their first feature film, titled “Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna,” is finally blooming in cinemas soon. And yes, it comes with all the swoon, symbolism and sincerity that their growing fanbase seems to crave.

For those still catching up: “Mutya ng Section E” started as your typical classroom-set teen series with themes of awkward crushes, shared secrets, and schoolyard glances aplenty. But the digital series somehow managed to bud into a full-on cultural moment thanks to its two leads.

Raking in viewers by the millions not just in the Philippines but across Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and even Europe, it goes without saying that the unlikely love team of “AshDres” isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving.

Now, under the direction of Jason Paul Laxamana — the filmmaker behind some of Viva’s most stirring romantic hits like “100 Tula Para Kay Stella,” “Just a Stranger,” and “Expensive Candy” — Ashtine and Andres aren’t letting go of their momentum as they step into the tender roles of Luna and Raffy in a story that promises to be as delicate as it is devastating.

“Minamahal” follows Raffy, a soft-spoken high school student with a love for flowers, and Luna, a visual artist who doesn’t believe in love. Yet, for every life event Luna goes through, Raffy shows up with a flower — not to win her over in one grand gesture, but to quietly grow a connection over time.

The movie spans the pairing’s coming of age — from high school to college — as their story gently questions whether something rooted in hope can endure the droughts of reality.

If the premise already has hearts a-stirring, the real-life reaction of its young leads may just make fans root for them harder.

“I was honestly shocked to learn we now have a movie,” Ashtine admitted. “After I was cast in ‘Mutya,’ I really didn’t expect anything more and thought that was it. So I’m incredibly thankful this project followed so quickly.”

Andres echoed the actress’ awe, saying, “I didn’t expect this either. How suddenly, there’s a movie for Ashtine and me, and I just feel so grateful. Nowadays, to have fans like this and this kind of support — it’s just overwhelming.”

Even their director couldn’t help but be swept up in the AshDres momentum. “I was shocked,” Laxamana recalled. “The day after the teaser dropped, their fans were already promoting it everywhere — some even reacting in Spanish on TikTok. It’s a massive fandom, and with that comes a lot of responsibility.”

And what a teaser it was, indeed. Released on July 4, the 50-second clip shows Raffy picking flowers in a field until his world seems to pause as he spots Luna for the first time. The scene, subtle but charged, racked up 12 million views in just 24 hours — an early indication that audiences are ready for more AshDres, please!

But while Raffy waits patiently for Luna to bloom into love, Ashtine and Andres are wasting no time giving fans exactly what they’ve been asking for: more AshDres, and more often.

Before the movie premieres, the day’s hottest showbiz tandem will be headlining the “Viva One: Vivarkada” fan concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum on August 15. To be sure, this is not just another appearance for these young stars — it’s Viva’s loudest and clearest sign yet that AshDres is being groomed for long-term stardom, not just momentary hype. And honestly, they don’t feel like one.

Whether or not the film ends happily ever after, the mere idea of someone giving a hundred flowers — over years, not weeks — just to remind someone that love doesn’t always demand attention, only intention, is enough to make even the most jaded among us believe again.

Watch out for “Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna” in cinemas from Viva Films soon. Because with Ashtine and Andres, it looks like young love has finally found its footing in Philippine showbiz — compellingly — once again.

Rhian Ramos and JC Santos star in ‘Meg & Ryan.’

Of rom-com revivals and second chances

At a time when most Filipino films are struggling to bring people back into cinemas, a movie titled “Meg & Ryan” instantly makes you do a double take — at least if you’re from a certain generation. You know, the ones who swooned over “You’ve Got Mail,” cried through “City of Angels,” and held “When Harry Met Sally” as the gold standard of romantic comedy. But no, this isn’t a film about Meg Ryan. It’s a Filipino love story with a nod to nostalgia that runs deeper than the title suggests.

Directed by Catherine “Cathy” Camarillo and written by veteran screenwriter Gina Marissa Tagasa, “Meg & Ryan” borrows its name from the lead characters — Meg Zamonte and Ryan Ceñete — whose unexpected connection slowly blossoms into something deeply affecting.

Meg, played by Rhian Ramos, is a woman who appears to have it all together but quietly carries emotional baggage she’s never quite put down. Ryan, played by JC Santos, is an introverted graphic novelist who keeps most people at arm’s length.

A chance meeting pulls them into each other’s orbit, and what starts out unassumingly evolves into a love story marked by hesitations, healing and the kind of hard-earned hope that comes only after heartbreak.

Interestingly, the film wasn’t originally titled “Meg & Ryan.” As Direk Cathy shared during the movie’s first media conference, “It wasn’t really ‘Meg & Ryan’ to begin with. But as we were building the story, the characters became so vivid to us — Meg Zamonte and Ryan Ceñete. They just stayed with us.”

It was Tagasa — whom Direk Cathy fondly calls Manay Gina — who made the inspired connection. “She’s a fan of Meg Ryan. And you know how Meg Ryan was the queen of rom-coms in the ‘80s, right? So her instinct kicked in, and she asked, ‘Can we use Meg & Ryan?’ I thought about it and said, why not? It’s a beautiful title. It’s unique. And it says everything about the characters.”

What also makes this film something to look forward to is the first-time pairing of Rhian Ramos and JC Santos, two actors known for their quiet depth and emotional precision.

“I really enjoyed the whole experience,” said Rhian. “What was said earlier by Tita Ces [Quesada] is true — JC is so generous as an actor. If there’s anything he can do to help you in a scene, he will. And it’s not just about his acting. He’d even help with the lines and ask, ‘What would Ryan do? What would Ryan say?’ That really helped me. It made my job super easy.”

JC, in turn, called working with Rhian a “bucket list” moment. “Until now, I’m still honored,” he shared. “I saw how she worked, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I saw her dedication and how she gave truth to every scene. For me, that made everything worth it.”

Direk Cathy herself became emotional during the event. The film had actually been completed over a year ago, but she deliberately held off on releasing it until every element matched her vision. “As a filmmaker, I wanted my masterpiece to be complete. I’ve had to compromise so many times before, but with this film, I waited. I wanted it to be whole — and it finally is.”

One of those key elements was music. The director had long envisioned using Torete, the Moonstar88 classic, to capture the film’s quiet ache — and she got it.

“It’s a struggle, trying to get everything you envision as a filmmaker,” she said, her voice cracking a little. “But this time, I got everything I wanted. And it’s thanks to the cast, too. Their support, their respect for me and the material — it means everything.”

As such, “Meg & Ryan” is not just a movie with a catchy title. It’s a passion project, a creative risk, and ultimately, a gentle reminder that some stories, like some loves, are worth waiting for.

Produced by Pocket Media Productions, the film opens nationwide on August 6 and also stars Cedrick Juan, Ces Quesada, Cris Villanueva and Jef Gaitan, while introducing J-mee Katanyag, Poca Osinaga, Steven Bansil and Alison Black.