Can't Buy Me Love (2023 TV series)

Can't Buy Me Love is a Philippine romantic drama television series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, Cathy Garcia-Sampana, and Ian D. Loreños, it stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano.^[1] The series premiered on the network's Primetime Bida evening block on October 16, 2023, replacing The Iron Heart.^[2] The series is set to conclude on May 10, 2024 with a total of 148 episodes. It will be replaced by High Street on it's timeslot.^[3]

Plot

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.^[4]

Cast and characters

Main cast

• Donny Pangilinan^[5] as Andrei "Bingo" P. 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 as young Bingo
• Belle Mariano^[5] as Caroline "Ling" A. 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 as young Ling

Supporting cast

• Nova Villa^[5][b] as Salvacion "Nene" Rivera: Bingo's loving adoptive grandmother, who lives in a tenement in Binondo, Manila.
• Rowell Santiago^[5] 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^[5] as Congresswoman Cindy Young-Tiu: Wilson's wife and the mother of Charleston, Bettina and Irene. Cindy acts as a cold-hearted step-mother to Caroline.
• Ruffa Gutierrez^[5] 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 seeking revenge against the Tiu family.
• Maris Racal^[5] as Irene Y. Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's youngest daughter and Caroline's half-sister and rival. Irene is a spoiled, alcoholic and sarcastic girl, who later develops a love-hate relationship with Snoop.
  • Althea Ruedas as young Irene
• Kaila Estrada^[5] as Bettina Y. Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's middle daughter and Caroline's half-sister and rival. Bettina is a serious and proud, yet bitter young woman with a strong dislike towards Caroline.
  • Jana Agoncillo as young Bettina
• Albie Casino^[5]
  as Charleston Y. 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 Snoop Manansala: Bingo's street-smart best friend with a sense of humor. Snoop later forms a romantic bond with Irene.
• Joao Constancia^[5] as Carlo T. Tiu: Gina and Wilson's illegitimate son and Charleston's younger half-brother and accomplice.
• Darren Espanto^[5][c] as Stephen Tanhueco: Caroline's childhood friend.
• Celeste Legaspi^[5][d] as Catherine "Cathy" Chang: A businesswoman and Wilson's aunt.

Recurring cast

• Rafael Rosell as Sherwin Yuchengco: Annie's closest ally and Balong's boss, who develops an interest for Bettina.
• Ketchup Eusebio as Ramoncito "Monching" Rivera: Nene's son and Bingo's adoptive father.
• Enzo Pineda as Edward Liao: Bettina's fiancee, who has an affair with Liv. He was killed by Liv.
• Chie Filomeno as Jersey Lim: Caroline and Stephen's best friend.
• Vivoree Esclito^[5] as Pandora "Dara" dela Cruz: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
• Karina Bautista^[5] 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.
• 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.
• Gello Marquez as Koriks: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.

Guest cast

• Shaina Magdayao as Divine Almazan: Caroline's late mother.
• Bernard Palanca as Ronald Mariano: Bingo's late father.
• Alex Medina
  as Felix Pelonio
• Alwyn Uytingco as Jared
• Katya Santos as Edna
• Bodjie Pascua as Albert Liao
• Adriana Agcaoili as Marietta Liao
• Jay Gonzaga as Jaime de Guzman
• Kakai Bautista as Yaya Ikay
• Tart Carlos as Patricia "Pato" Bugtong
• 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
• Matt Evans as Emong
• Anna Luna as Kida
• Peewee O' Hara as Yaya Lyn
• Shanaia Gomez as Kara
• Emmanuelle Vera as Geline
• Jake Ejercito as Aldrich Co
• Cris Villanueva as Gilbert Bautista
• Aya Fernandez as Carissa
• Freddie Webb as Dr. John Capistrano
• Ayen Munji-Laurel as Congresswoman Charry Tanhueco, Stephen's mother
• Audie Gemora as Senator Bryan Tanhueco, Stephen's father
• Kuya Manzano as Ahmed Al Jufalli
• Floyd Tena as Atty. Philip San Diego
• Luis Manzano as a restaurant waiter
• Cloud Ramos
• Clyde Cruz as Chris
• Lotlot Bustamante
• Nicole Cordoves
• Robbie Wachtel
• Von Lopez
• RJ Ledesma as Atty. Joey
• Raul Montesa
• John Adajar as Paulo
• Luis Antonio Dominguez
• Cassandra Chan

Production

Principal photography commenced in August 2023.^[6]

Music

The theme song of Can't Buy Me Love is a 2023 version of "You'll Be Safe Here" performed by Moira Dela Torre.^[7] A new version of the original song by Rico Blanco is also featured in the series. Other soundtracks include "Autumn" by Ben&Ben and Belle Mariano, and "Iyo" by Darren Espanto.^[8]

Release

The series is streaming with advanced episodes first on Netflix on October 13, 2023 and on iWantTFC on October 14, before its release on other platforms on October 16, 2023.^[9][10]

Reception

Can't Buy Me Love was a success upon its premiere, garnering 454,413 concurrent live viewers on YouTube, and also soared as the number-one most watched series on Netflix Philippines.^[11][12] According to Kantar Media, the series received a TV ratings of 11.6%, beating its timeslot rival Love Before Sunrise (9.7%).^[13] According to AGB Neilsen, the pilot episode of the series generated 8.0% over its rival Love Before Sunrise with 7.1%.^[14][15]

References