Philippine Pop Culture — Love Teams Pt. 2
Blinded by love
By: Michaella Emiterio, 4P5
“Kinikilig ako,” is a phrase most often used in the Philippines that is associated with different love scenarios. An expression stemming from the word kilig, it is a term that has no direct translation but is typically associated with the saying “butterflies in the stomach” or, “a powerful feeling that transcends syntax and semantics” (Martinez, 2020).
Kilig is a feeling that could stem from various sources, such as one’s personal life (e.g., accomplishments, recognition, love life) or from watching and witnessing the love lives of others. Another common source of this heartfelt emotion in the Philippines is love teams wherein an actor and an actress are paired based on their on and off-screen chemistry. The creation of love teams is a typical marketing strategy made by the entertainment industry for commercials, television shows, and movies. It also serves as the starting point of their careers.
These love teams have been continuously thriving through the decades. It goes way back to the 1920s with Mary Walter and Gregorio Fernandez starring in the movies Ang Lumang Simbahan, Desperation, and Dimasalang. Succeeding generations of love teams, such as Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan, as well as Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Augustin, are still known to this day (Belleza, 2017). Today, love teams are called by monikers created by the media and their fans by combining the actors’ and the actresses’ first names, such as JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre), LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil), and of course, KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla).
These “ships” have always been the highlight in the entertainment industry. especially those who are in a real relationship. But the news says otherwise.
Reports often pertain to the end of an era as love teams break up in real life. This then begs questions like “What will happen to them?”, “What about their fans?”, and “What happens now?”. People nowadays are reliant on these love teams as a source of their kilig as they provide the audience with the ideal love they wish to experience. An added factor to this satisfaction is the fact that these people had a real relationship. However, are love teams still necessary at this point in time?
Love teams are somehow contractual in the sense that two people are bound together due to their own management and the audience. These people, more often than not, are the ones who plan what should happen in their personal lives and careers — preventing them from separating (Martinez, 2020). It comes to a point where they spend most of their time together due to their projects in the entertainment industry. Liza Soberano, one half of LizQuen, pointed out the negatives of being in a love team. Aside from having a partner both on and off cam, she claims that she had only really worked side-by-side with one main co-star with the same production company, rotating around the same three directors. With her insights and ideas ignored, she did not have an opportunity to grow (Agbulos, 2023).
Some did not take this opinion of hers greatly. It could be seen that some fans formed an unhealthy reliance on these love teams and interpreted Liza’s statement negatively. Indeed, there are still love teams and ships across the globe. However, it does not come to a point wherein their careers only revolve around each other. An example of which are Hollywood stars in the Western entertainment industry, where figures such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are paired with other actors and actresses for them to flourish and make their own name by relying on their skills as an actor — not just their partner in their love teams. Other Asian countries like Korea give similar opportunities for their actors to gain different experiences in their careers.
With this, it can be said that even without love teams, the entertainment industry can still satisfy its target audiences. It tackles the aspect of promoting individual talents, allowing these actors to flourish on their own as they each leave a legacy in the industry. Another possible reason why love teams are no longer popular than before is due to the rise of independent filmmaking. Unlike mainstream productions which almost always use the same plot and theme in their stories, independent filmmakers break boundaries in the entertainment industry like the indie film Respeto directed by Treb Monteras II. The movie revolves around the issues of poverty, corruption, and the resilience of Filipinos in the face of adversity, breaking the boundaries of the typical mainstream themes as it tackles societal issues and combating social norms (Ching, 2017). These films broaden the scope and degree of entertainment to which the audience is exposed.
The necessity of love teams in the Philippines can still be considered an ongoing debate. Considering the reasons why it is no longer popular, a question arises: “Do Filipinos simply love these actors, or do they only love the idea of love?”. Indeed, people become reliant on love teams to the point where they believe they have the right to dictate what should happen in their lives. They are also blinded by its idea. They do not realize that this could only be a façade that could make them ignorant about what is truly happening around them.
Why do we love love?
By: Katrin Cebedo, 4P5
Love teams play a significant role in Philippine entertainment, especially for those who rose to fame through such means (Rappler, 2023). Despite the world changing into a more open or liberal perspective, the enduring relevance of love teams shows its undying appeal to the masses and its cultural significance to us Filipinos. At first glance, one might question: is it still necessary to support love teams in this era where individuality and diversity are already being celebrated? The notion of pairing actors and actresses into romantic partners seems an outdated strategy but is still booming among Filipino viewers. Regardless of the push for better representation and inclusivity in media, the love team trope still dominates. Love teams have their peak era yet like classics, as it too is now a mainstay. This genre remains strong in the showbiz industry as it often serves as a reflection of the ideals, beliefs, and values of Filipino society. Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen personas capture the imaginations of audiences, offering a form of escapism and fantasy in a world fraught with uncertainties.
Love teams embody the ideals of romance, especially for those who rarely ever get to experience romantic relationships themselves (PEP, 2016). This setup feeds their delusion of perfect love with a perfect partner labeled as “the one.” This also contributes to ligaw, a deeply ingrained Filipino practice, as the parties involved get to know each other on another level and assess if they truly have feelings for each other. In addition to that, love teams reinforce social norms. This somehow becomes the standard of how relationships should work, how people should treat their partners, or how romance should generally flow. Looking on the good side, this provides a sense of continuity and stability in an ever-changing world. On the other hand, as expectations of people align more closely with love teams, the more they become disappointed or get their heart broken as reality is not the same as what the television portrays. Unfortunately, excessive fan enthusiasm leads to insecurities, bashing, and worse, death threats.
Furthermore, love teams serve as powerful marketing tools for the entertainment industry as they mobilize box office success, catapulting actors and actresses to greater heights of fame and exposure while bolstering television ratings. Fans’ fervent support translates into tangible commercial success, as audiences eagerly flock to theaters and tune in to watch their favorite pairings on screen. What’s more, fans contribute so much to the sales of the entertainment industry by purchasing different merchandise with the love team in it. With that, companies release different ways to market or advertise their love teams, such as TV guestings, endorsements, and even the production and release of theme songs and music videos. From such a point of view, love teams really have a wide reach and influence. But many die-hard fans tend to forget that these are still jobs at the end of the day. Some individuals tend to forget that the on-screen couples they support are merely actors trained to entertain them and that these love teams were formed primarily to cater to their fantasies and ideals. So when things go south for the fans, their excessive fanatic actions lead to dangerous reactions. With that, fans should be reminded that these love teams understand their desire to support them and that it comes from a place of love; however, these fans should consider their actions too.
While Hollywood and other Asian nations also feature celebrity pairings, Filipinos have elevated this practice by consistently casting these pairs as the main leads in projects. It is expected that actors from a love team, particularly the more established ones, will work on a project with their designated partner only, preventing them from working with other people to avoid issues or establishing various roles for themselves. While this strategy has propelled many Filipino celebrities to stardom, some have openly discussed the challenges of being identified primarily as half of a pair throughout their careers. Taking Liza Soberano as an example, she’s the most recent actress to talk about the dark side of being on a love team here in the Philippines. Her being vocal after her abrupt rebranding sparked controversy and drew attention to the phenomenon of love teams. In an article posted by Inquirer Entertainment, Soberano’s remarks regarding certain aspects of the prevalent love team culture in Philippine entertainment have ignited heated debates among both industry insiders and fans.
During an interview by Bea Alonzo on March 5, 2023, Liza expressed her views on the industry. She felt like she was caged or living in the box. For years of being an actress, Liza felt like she became stagnant and was not given the opportunity to explore and discover different sides of herself, especially since she felt like she was only known for being part of a love team but not as who she really is. She further elaborated that confining a woman within that dynamic is detrimental to their mental well-being and growth, not just as a professional but as an individual. Hence, she decided to distance herself from the local show business and is in the process of making a name in the Hollywood industry, where love teams are not the foundation of an artist’s career.
Her remarks on the concept of love teams have fueled online debates among netizens across various social media platforms and prompted articles from numerous publications. They have voiced concerns about how love team culture has negatively impacted the creative evolution of Philippine entertainment. They have pointed out that participating in a love team can restrict an actor’s career, as they may become primarily associated with their pairing rather than their individual acting skills (Philstar, 2023). Moreover, as we progress in life, many changes are bound to happen in people’s beliefs, principles, and lifestyles. Fortunately, the newer generation is more accepting of change rather than sticking to familiarity. Nowadays, love teams have begun to evolve and mature. No longer are two actors exclusively bound together; they are now free to pursue projects independently of their partners. An example of this evolution is Nadine Lustre, who took more individual roles than working with former partner James Reid, and also Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, who broke away from their established partners, Daniel Padilla, and Maine Mendoza, respectively. Surprisingly, fans have supported these actors branching out into new ventures, despite some still preferring to see their favorite pairs on screen. This shift from the conventional love team dynamic signals the beginning of a new era in Philippine entertainment culture.
With that, it is hard not to wonder: why do we Filipinos love love so much? Maybe, because the concept of love teams is unique to us Filipinos. The kilig feeling is so distinct to our culture that it is uninterpretable. We are so into this kilig culture that, for the longest time, love teams have existed in the sphere of Philippine show business. Perhaps the reason why love teams, in particular, are so appealing to us is because somehow, at some point, we can relate to it. Therefore, despite the world’s shifting attitudes towards love, relationships, and gender roles, love teams continue to thrive in Philippine entertainment. While the world may evolve and change, the magic of love teams endures, captivating audiences and reminding us of the enduring power of love in all its forms. While love teams remain a significant aspect of Filipino entertainment, the evolution of the industry and the clamor of the audiences for more diversity may diminish their prominence over time.
References (Blinded by love):
Agbulos, G. (2023). Why we love love: a dissection of Filipino love teams. Republicasia. https://republicasiamedia.com/why-we-love-love-a-dissection-of-filipino-love-teams/
Belleza, I. (2017). Filipino ‘love teams’: What’s the big deal?. Gulf News. https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/pinoy-celebs/filipino-love-teams-whats-the-big-deal-1.2018950
Belleza, I. (2017). Popular Filipino love teams through the years. Gulf News. https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/pinoy-celebs/popular-filipino-love-teams-through-the-years-1.2019232
Ching, M. (2017). Review: Why Respeto deserves best film award in Cinemalaya 2017. Pep PH. https://www.pep.ph/news/local/26565/review-why-emrespetoem-deserves-best-film-award-in-cinemalaya-2017
Martinez, A. (2020). National obsession: The dark side of Filipino love teams. Reclamation. https://reclamationmagazine.com/2020/06/22/national-obsession-the-dark-side-of-filipino-love-teams/
Philstar. (2023). End of a love team. The Freeman. https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2023/12/02/2315851/end-love-team
References (Why do we love love?):
Abad, Y. (2023, March 13). “sell the story, not the love team”: Fans weigh in on relevance of Love teams today . RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/celebrities/fans-discussion-relevance-filipino-love-teams-today/
Gutierrez, D. (2023, March 23). Liza Soberano and Love Teams, cultural turning point?. Inquirer Entertainment. https://entertainment.inquirer.net/491781/liza-soberano-and-love-teams-cultural-turning-point/
Severo, J. M. (2023, May 1). ‘we’re supposed to be reel and real’: Liza Soberano talks about Philippine Love Teams. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/05/01/2262972/were-supposed-be-reel-and-real-liza-soberano-talks-about-philippine-love-teams/
The Anatomy of Pinoy Love Teams. (2016, March 22). PEP.ph. https://www.pep.ph/lifestyle/9390/the-anatomy-of-pinoy-love-teams
