Minamahal (2025)

This isn’t just romance with butterflies — it’s also love that aches and falls apart.

"Love is not forever, but it's true while it lasts."

This film paints a raw and relatable picture of modern love. It strips away the fairytale sheen of love and shows it for what it often is: messy, complicated, and fragile. It’s a story of two people who love fiercely, but never at the same time, never in the same way. What makes this story unforgettable is how close it cuts to real life. You don’t just watch it, you feel it.

Like the young Luna, in love, we may have experienced insecurities, which somehow broke parts of ourselves. We get lost. We become toxic. We lose ourselves and turn into someone that we don't want or hate to be.

There are also moments in life when ambition burns so brightly that it blinds us, not to the world, but to the people standing right beside us.

The female lead, with her eyes fixed firmly on her dreams, unknowingly begins to drift away from the man who once grounded her. The male lead, consumed by doubts and insecurities, struggles to hold on as distance and constant arguments tear them apart. It is quite a reminder that love alone cannot carry the weight of misaligned priorities.

And when it's no longer healthy, when we find ourselves shrinking instead of growing, it's better to let go. Because love isn't about holding on until it hurts. The greatest act of love is choosing to walk away, even if it means breaking your own heart just so the both of you can finally breathe again.

The beauty of this film lies in its honesty. It doesn’t glorify love, it questions it. It leaves you wondering if love enough when two people are no longer walking in step?

Kudos to DIREK JPL for daring to tell love this way— unvarnished, unapologetic, and brutally honest. A story so raw it tears right through you. For anyone who’s ever loved someone but couldn’t make it work, this is a must-see.

With this film, ASHTINE OLVIGA really has cemented her place as VIVA'S NEXT SUPERSTAR. Her natural radiance draws people in warmly and captures hearts. This shined throughout the whole movie. AT ANG GANDA GANDA NIYANG UMIYAK! Nakakadala lahat ng scenes niya, and the way she delivers her lines... there's so much emotion and so much truth that every word feels alive. Her eyes carry depths that words alone cannot capture, her tone shifts with precision to mirror every unspoken sentiment, and her pauses echo louder than noise. I just can't wait for this girl to have more projects in the future because she is truly a one-of-kind gem.

As for ANDRES MUHLACH, he is promising, but there's still plenty of space for growth. With more workshops and experience, he can surely develop a stronger presence on screen. But I must applaud him roon sa confrontation scene with Luna sa may parking lot. Although he needs to work on his enunciation and not mumble his words when speaking in Tagalog, that scene was HIS SCENE. HE OWNED IT! With the right training and gradual build-up through more acting roles, he has the potential to grow into a more convincing and versatile leading man.

Also, his charm and appeal are qualities that can't be ignored. I can't even count the number of times I cursed kasi sobrang gwapo lang niya and very eye candy sa screen.

As for their chemistry, WALA AKONG MASABI. Sobrang natural, hindi pilit. Yung para silang couple na domesticated na. Exhibit A yung scenes nila sa condo ni Luna. Parang sa sobrang natural nila sa barely-intimate scenes, mapapaisip ka nalang talaga if may bahid na ng katotohanan ang mga nakikita sa screen eh. Sa sobrang kilig ko, bugbog ang abot ng casual viewer kong friend.

ASHDRES is really one of the most promising love teams, as well as one of the most promising actors and actresses in today's generation. With proper guidance, promotion, and projects, they could achieve— or even mahigitan-the accomplishments of past iconic and legendary love teams ever known.

Read More