Minamahal

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.

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Young Love in Full Bloom

I had the chance to catch one of the many block screenings of Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna, Viva Films’ latest romantic drama written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana. The film stars Andres Muhlach as Raffy and Ashtine Olviga as Luna—two fresh faces given the challenge of carrying a love story that spans youthful infatuation, growing pains, and the bittersweet truths of adulthood.

What struck me first was the sincerity of the film. It isn’t flashy or overly manufactured; instead, it leans on honesty, heart, and grounded storytelling. While chemistry often serves as a film’s main attraction, here it’s not just a highlight—it’s the foundation. The connection between Andres and Ashtine feels lived-in, and Laxamana builds a story around them that resonates long after the credits roll.

Beneath its youthful surface, Minamahal has surprising depth. It’s not only for teenagers navigating their first romances but also for adults who can still recall the ache and beauty of those years. Personally, Raffy’s quiet struggles with his siblings hit close to home—his hesitation to voice his needs, fearing he’s a burden, mirrors how many of us carry ourselves in our own families and friendships. It’s a rare thing for a love story to echo so strongly across age groups.

The film may appear simple at first glance—two students stumbling through love, ambition, and compromise—but it has a way of tugging you back to your younger self. That innocent stage of love, where every glance feels monumental and every goodbye feels permanent, is captured with striking authenticity. There’s nostalgia here, but it never feels forced.

Ashtine Olviga shines as Luna. She approaches the role with both strength and vulnerability, creating a character that feels real and memorable. Yes, there are echoes of her previous work—her Luna at times reminded me of her turn as Jay-jay in Ang Mutya ng Section E—but that familiarity doesn’t detract. If anything, she digs deeper here, showing a maturity in her craft. She breathes life into Luna in ways that linger well beyond the film.

Andres Muhlach, meanwhile, carries the weight of being a Muhlach with surprising grace. True, there are moments where you catch glimpses of his father Aga in his delivery, and his Tagalog accent isn’t always perfect. But what he lacks in polish, he makes up for in raw sincerity. He reminded me a lot of Sam Milby during his early years—green around the edges, but brimming with potential. There were scenes that begged for deeper emotion, maybe even tears he couldn’t quite deliver, yet his honesty shone through. Watching him grow into Raffy felt like watching a young actor slowly claim his own space in the industry. He’s not leaning on his family name; he’s proving he has his own story to tell.

Is the film perfect? Not at all. There are uneven beats and moments that betray the inexperience of its two leads. But oddly enough, that’s where much of its charm comes from. The rawness of the film—the fact that it doesn’t try to be overly polished—gives it an honesty that feels refreshing in local cinema. For a debut outing, it’s a brave and beautiful step forward.

Together, Andres and Ashtine bring a natural energy that makes the film sing. Their sweet, sassy, and giddy moments aren’t forced; they’re heartfelt, even in their flaws. You find yourself rooting for them—not just as Raffy and Luna, but as actors finding their place on screen.

Minamahal may not tick every box for a flawless romance, but it doesn’t need to. It’s nostalgic, heartwarming, and relatable, a film that brings you back to the sweetness of young love while reminding you of the tougher lessons life demands. More than that, it showcases two rising stars who are just beginning to bloom.

And the ending? It resists pure fan service, choosing instead to land on something more meaningful, leaving us with lessons to carry forward. That choice elevates the film, making it more than just a love story—it’s a reflection on growth, courage, and the beauty of simply being honest in love.

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When the Farewell Feels Bigger Than the Love

Minamahal tries to end on an emotional airport goodbye, framing it as a grand romantic sacrifice. The problem isn’t the decision itself — her choice to leave is perfectly coherent with her practical personality.

The issue is structural. The relationship never goes through a meaningful process. There’s no real tension, no gradual build, no emotional depth that justifies the dramatic tone of the finale.

If love is meant to be tragic at the end, it first needs to feel solid in the beginning. Here, the farewell feels larger than the bond itself.

When something deep breaks, it hurts. But in this case, nothing truly deep was ever built.

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