Graphics by Lance Uy / INQUIRER.net
You spoke, we listened. Now it’s time to cast your vote.
The INQUIRER.net team has narrowed down to the Top 16 the Filipino celebrities that you, our dear readers and netizens, would love to date on Valentine’s Day, and which you have graciously let us know on our social media platforms. While we cannot guarantee you a candle-lit dinner and a bouquet of flowers, or even a cozy walk with your celebrity crush, you still have the power to choose which celebrities get the chance to score a kilig feature this month of love.
Starting Tuesday, INQUIRER.net will jumpstart its survey with four (2 each for male and female) of 16 celebrities previously chosen for their respective sub-category. The poll will run for a good 24 hours beginning 7:00 AM to 7:00 AM of Wednesday. Thereafter, a new batch will be polled for that day, and the next, and the next. That should be enough time to get your vote in, because, really, YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
The poll kicks off with new generation leading men David Licauco and Donny Pangilinan, as well as girl crushes Nadine Lustre and Janella Salvador.
New-Gen Leading Men: David Licauco
Licauco has emerged as the internet’s favorite ginoo after his character Fidel de los Reyes took off in the GMA teleserye “Maria Clara at Ibarra”. His backstory remains unknown to the public but his charming demeanor and sweet words were more than enough to have viewers wrapped around his fingers.
The Filipino-Chinese actor, however, started his entertainment career by modeling for various school events; where he even joined the Mr. and Ms. Chinatown pageant in 2014 and was named as first runner-up. The recognition put his name on the radar until he landed various brand deals and graced covers of local magazines.
After appearing in many guest roles, Licauco’s star began to shine bright after he starred as Malik in the fantaserye “Mulawin vs. Ravena”. He went on to star in a number of shows since then but it was eventually “Maria Clara at Ibarra” that gave him the role of the lifetime.
As the historical drama series is approaching its conclusion, the Fil-Chi looker is set to steal more hearts in the upcoming romantic film “Without You” with fellow Kapuso actress Shaira Diaz.
New-Gen Leading Men: Donny Pangilinan
Starting out as a MYX VJ in 2016, Donny Pangilinan emerged as one-half of the popular onscreen pairing DonBelle — with a German Moreno Power Tandem Of The Year award on his belt.
2018 was the start of Pangilinan’s star power gaining hold as he made his acting debut in the film “Walwal” and was revealed as part of the Star Magic Circle 2018 with fellow celebrities Markus Paterson, Chantal Videla of K-pop girl group Lapillus, Charlie Dizon, and Tony Labrusca.
Following the onscreen split of DonKiss in 2019, Pangilinan forged ahead in his entertainment career where he was announced as the lead star of the youth-oriented series “He’s Into Her” with former child actress Belle Mariano. Unbeknownst to them, it was the start of the loveteam’s rapid rise into mainstream success.
The Kapamilya star eventually went on to appear in more successful projects including the films “Love Is Color Blind” and “An Inconvenient Love”, as well as the second season of “He’s Into Her”. He is also set to be one of the leads of the upcoming teleserye “Can’t Buy Me Love” which will premiere within the year.
Love team aside, Pangilinan’s real-life status with Mariano remains a mystery up to this day, but it’s clear that the 24-year-old actor is a dashing man with a lot of potential to offer.
Girl Crush Material: Nadine Lustre
Fondly known as “President Nadine” by fans, Nadine Lustre became a name on everyone’s radar after her role as Eya in the 2014 film “Diary ng Panget”.
But for newbie fans, she started her entertainment career as a member of the five-member group Pop Girls in 2009. She eventually left the group in 2011 to pursue a solo career.
Lustre then started to prove herself as a multi-hyphenate in the entertainment industry after releasing her self-titled EP and appearing in “Diary ng Panget” and “Talk Back and You’re Dead” with former reel-to-real life partner James Reid in 2014. The love team with Reid became an instant success since then, and the pair have appeared in several projects together until their eventual split in 2019.
It has been upwards for Lustre since then, as she took on several projects that challenged herself as a solo artist. Soon enough, many opportunities appeared on her doorstep where she was able to fully showcase herself in all its beautiful forms.
Aside from acting and music, the talented star is also known to be vocal about issues that she cares about from the heart, particularly mental health, women’s rights, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Girl Crush Material: Janella Salvador
A multi-talented star in her own right, Janella Salvador had a knack for performing at an early age — especially as the child of songwriter Juan Miguel Salvador and West End musical actress Jenine Desiderio.
But her taste of the spotlight began in 2012 after she starred as the bright-eyed teenager Nikki in the ABS-CBN morning drama “Be Careful With My Heart”. She soon entered the leading lady trajectory with “Oh My G!” a year after her first teleserye aired its final episode.
Salvador’s acting career took a unique turn as she gained a footing in the horror genre after starring as Ella in “Haunted Mansion” in 2015. She also proved that she inherited her parents’ musical roots when she released her self-titled debut album in the same year.
She went on to gracefully define her career between acting and music, even after she gave birth to her son Jude Trevor in October 2020.
Salvador’s return to the spotlight as the dangerously sexy Valentina had caused a stir among fans, and she revealed during a media conference for “Darna” that her character’s alter-ego is her source of inspiration.
As she’s set to retire as the Queen of Snakes, the 24-year-old star revealed that she is currently in the process of preparing for a concert while details are yet to be unveiled to the public. EDV