Can't Buy Me Love (2023 TV series)
| Can't Buy Me Love | |
|---|---|
 Series finale promotional poster | |
| Genre | Romantic drama Mystery |
| Written by | Generiza Reyes-Francisco Rona Co Gena de Jesus Tenaja Maan Fampulme Mary Pearl Urtola |
| Directed by | Mae Cruz-Alviar Cathy Garcia-Sampana Ian Loreños Henry King Quitain Petersen Vargas Raymund 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[a] |
| Release | October 16, 2023 – May 10, 2024 |
Can't Buy Me Love is a Philippine television drama series produced by Star Creatives for ABS-CBN. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, Cathy Garcia-Sampana and Ian Loreños, it stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. The series aired on Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida evening block from October 16, 2023 to May 10, 2024.
Plot[edit]
When 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[edit]
- Main cast
- 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 saves Caroline's life and begins a relationship with her. 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
- Nova Villa[2][b] 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. Jana Agoncillo also plays a young Bettina.
- Albie Casino[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][c] as Stephen Tanhueco: Caroline's childhood friend.
- Celeste Legaspi[2][d] as Catherine "Cathy" Chang: A Chinese-Filipino businesswoman and Wilson's aunt.
- Recurring cast
- Rafael Rosell as Sherwin Yuchengco: Annie's closest ally, who develops an interest for Bettina.
- Ketchup Eusebio as Ramoncito "Monching" Rivera: Lola Nene's son and Bingo's adoptive father.
- Enzo Pineda as Edward Liao: Bettina's fiancé, who has an affair with Liv.
- Chie Filomeno as Jersey Lim: Caroline and Stephen's best friend.
- Vivoree Esclito[2][e] 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, who has an affair with Edward.
- 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
- Shaina Magdayao as Divine Almazan: Caroline's mother.
- Bernard Palanca as Ronald Mariano: Bingo's father.
- Alex Medina as Felix Pelonio
- Alwyn Uytingco as Jared
- Katya Santos as Edna
- Bodjie Pascua as Albert Liao: Edward's father.
- Adriana Agcaoili as Marietta Liao: Edward's mother.
- Jay Gonzaga as Jaime de Guzman
- Kakai Bautista as Yaya Ikay: Caroline's personal maid.
- Tart Carlos as Patricia "Pato" Bugtong: A former housekeeper for the Tiu family.
- Mitch Valdez as Prudencia
- Isay Alvarez-Seña as Doc Kat
- Frenchie Dy as Pepper
- Cheska Inigo as Thea
- 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
- Von Lopez
- RJ Ledesma as Atty. Joey
- John Adajar as Paulo
- Luis Antonio Dominguez
- Cassandra Chan
Production[edit]
Principal photography commenced in August 2023.[3]
Music[edit]
The 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] Other soundtracks 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[edit]
Can'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[edit]
Online viewership[edit]
Can'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[edit]
According 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 broadcast on A2Z, TV5, and Jeepney TV, with online streaming on YouTube's Kapamilya Online Live. It is also available on-demand via iWantTFC and Netflix Philippines for advanced episodes.
- ^ Credited as Ms. Nova Villa.
- ^ Credited as Darren.
- ^ Credited as Ms. Celeste Legaspi.
- ^ Credited as Vivoree.
