CONGRATS, everyone! You survived the first month of the year which took so long to end.
It is finally February, which means we are getting closer to celebrating Valentine’s Day, and the Film and Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has a better way to make you feel the romantic sparks!
The agency announced on social media the return of its “Sine Sinta: Pag-ibig at Pelikula,” which will boast a diverse lineup of classic and contemporary romance films.
It will run from February 5 to 16 in several participating movie theaters, including Ayala Malls cinemas, Cinematheque Centres, and the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET).
Interested individuals will have the chance to see these romance movies on the big screen once again this love month:
“Gitling”
Starring: Gaby Padilla and Ken Yamamura
Directed by: Jopy Arnaldo
This 2023 film follows a young Filipina translator named Jamie, who just broke off her engagement, and a middle-aged Japanese filmmaker named Makoto, who separated ways from his wife who cheated on him two years ago.
Destiny brings them together in Bacolod, Philippines to work together on a film that needs to be subtitled in Ilonggo. The film highlights how Jamie and Makoto develop their work relationship into a friendship they never knew they needed.
“Past Lives”
Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro
Directed by: Celine Song
This other 2023 romance drama film showcases how two childhood friends, Nora Moon and Hae Sung, reunited after being separated for decades when Nora’s family left South Korea. Now in New York City, Nora comes across Hae Sung’s social media post which leads her to reconnect with him through video calls.
But the question now is: will they be able to bring back the closeness they had in their past lives, now that Nora is married to an American named Arthur?
“Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising”
Starring: Christopher De Leon and Hilda Koronel
Directed by: Mike De Leon
This is a classic romance film released in 1977 that centers on a free-spirited college student and aspiring songwriter named Joey and a young married woman named Anna. Despite the image they show, these two young individuals face challenges on their own, with Joey reeling from the passing of his girlfriend and dealing with his father who wants a different career path for him. Meanwhile, Anna feels unhappy in her marriage with her domineering husband.
Joey and Anna cross paths when the latter visits her cousin Cecile. They develop a friendship which later blooms into a complicated romance.
“I’m Drunk, I Love You”
Starring: Maja Salvador and Paulo Avelino
Directed by: JP Habac
This 2017 romantic comedy film is about two college best friends, Carson and Dio, but one of them has secret feelings for the other. They go on a trip to La Union before their graduation, giving an opportunity for Carson to confront her seven-year-long unrequited love for Dio.
“Sana Dati”
Starring: Lovi Poe and Paulo Avelino
Directed by: Jerrold Tarog
This award-winning 2013 film tells the story of a woman named Andrea, who is about to marry a man she does not love. Her wedding, however, becomes messy when a man named Dennis shows up to remind her of the person she truly loves.
“Kung Paano Siya Nawala”
Starring: Rhian Ramos and JM De Guzman
Directed by: Joel Ruiz
This 2018 film narrates a unique love between an inclusive young man named Lio, who has face blindness or an inability to recognize faces or facial expressions, and a free-spirited woman named Shana, who brings changes in his life.
“Ulan”
Starring: Nadine Lustre and Carlo Aquino
Directed by: Irene Villamor
The 2019 romantic drama film showcases Philippine folklore, particularly a mythical creature called “Tikbalang” or half-human, half-horse. It follows a young woman named Maya who feels she is cursed because it suddenly rains when something good happens to her.
The movie shows Maya meeting mythical creatures, even witnessing a wedding between two Tikbalangs, as a kid.
“Sleepless”
Starring: Glaiza De Castro and Dominic Roque
Directed by: Prime Cruz
The 2016 movie follows two call center colleagues, Gem and Barry, who have a hard time sleeping at night. They try to overcome the loneliness that strikes them in the night hours by exploring the city and talking about anything under the moon and stars.
“Rainbow Sunset”
Starring: Eddie Garcia, Tony Mabesa, and Gloria Romero
Directed by: Joel Lamangan
The 2018 romantic drama film brings together three Philippine movie and theater icons to tell the story of an 84-year-old man named Ramon, who came out as gay to his children in his senior years to take care of his ailing lover, Fredo.
Ramon, however, also has to deal with troubles happening within his family.
“Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang?”
Starring: Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin
Directed by: Jerry Lopez Sineneng
Ever heard of the movie line, “Oh yes! Kaibigan mo ‘ko! Kaibigan mo lang ako?” That’s the iconic and relatable dialogue from this 1998 romantic comedy film, which narrates Bujoy’s unrequited love for his longtime best friend, Ned, who harbors feelings for another girl named Mary Ann.
The movie answers the question: will Bujoy and Ned retain their platonic friendship or be honest about their feelings?
Tickets and screening schedule
Tickets for the “Sine Sinta: Pag-ibig at Pelikula” may be available for P200 or for free, depending on the movie they will see.
Most films are offered for free, except “Gitling” and “Past Lives.”
Meanwhile, “Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang?” will only be available at the MET, which includes a talkback session on February 16.
Here is the screening schedule and venues for the 2025 edition of the “Sine Sinta: Pag-ibig at Pelikula:”
