Valentine’s Day 2024: Decoding the red and green flags in Filipino movies

These Filipino film characters who are the literal definitions of the relationship red and green flags. Graphics: Mar Galang

Valentines Day is not only a day for love but also a time to re-evaluate what matters in a relationship. Having feelings for someone is something you can’t control. But what you can control is knowing what you deserve. And that starts by decoding whether a potential partner is a red flag or a green flag.

Enter these Filipino films featuring characters who are the literal definitions of the relationship red and green flags. They might have gotten together with the love of their lives — but that doesn’t excuse them from acting a certain way towards their partners. After all, staying in love is about maintaining a relationship with the right person and in the right way.

We’ve listed down a number of popular Filipino movie characters and see for yourself which of them are Valentine-worthy or Valentine-cringey.

Ethan Alfaro and Audrey Locsin of “Everyday, I Love You” 

Falling in love is inevitable, and some unfortunately develop feelings for people in relationships. But choosing to either be a third party or maintain boundaries is a choice — and Ethan (Enrique Gil) chose the latter. It didn’t help, however, that he was near a taken Audrey (Liza Soberano) as he was the producer of a show where the latter was the star.

But instead of convincing her to date behind a bedridden Tristan’s (Gerald Anderson) back, he opted to seek the help of his stepfather to get Tristan treated for his sickness. He confessed his feelings to Audrey at some point, but he quickly returned to Manila and went on with his life.

Laida Magtalas and Miggy Montenegro of the “A Very Special Love” trilogy 

Laida Magtalas (Sarah Geronimo) is the textbook definition of a giving partner. But she gives because she loves Miggy Montenegro (John Lloyd Cruz) with all her heart. Even if her partner is always blowing hot and cold at every turn and then morphing into some kind of ideal man — she still loves him anyway.

She does her best at work to impress him in “A Very Special Love” and goes to such effort to balance her time between their relationship and her career in “You Changed My Life,” only for Miggy to end up being unfaithful in “It Takes a Man and a Woman.” That’s when she knew that enough is enough. And her hostility in the first half of the last film is more than justified.

Fidel Lansangan of “100 Tula Para Kay Stella”

Fidel Lansangan (JC Santos) had always loved Stella Puno (Bela Padilla). But his speech defect made it hard to express his feelings to her. He instead channeled this frustration into writing poems to show his love while building the courage to finally say the long-awaited “I love you.”

Joy Fabregas and Ethan Del Rosario of “Hello, Love, Goodbye”

From the beginning, Joy Fabregas (Kathryn Bernardo) had been honest with Ethan Del Rosario (Alden Richards) about her plans to work in Canada. She loves him. But she sacrificed so much for her family that choosing her career was a decision she made solely for herself.

A desperate Ethan pleaded with her to remain in Hong Kong — almost to the point where he listed down the things he did to convince her to “make [her] stay.” This led to an emotional Joy standing firm with her decision, saying, “So lahat ng ginawa mo, ginawa mo ‘yun para pilitin akong piliin ka? Kung mahal mo ako, bakit pinapapili mo ako? Ethan, ngayon ko lang pipiliin ang sarili ko. Kailangan kong subukan. I just want you to give me the chance. Babalik din naman ako eh.”

Miguel Quirino and Mela Ocampo of “Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita”

“I don’t like the way you dress. I even don’t like your makeup. But I love you!” The sudden confession of Miguel Quirino (Rico Yan) to Mela Ocampo (Claudine Barretto) might’ve sent the latter into an overjoyed, lovesick poodle — but criticizing the way she dresses before saying “I love you” is a recipe for disaster.

This led Mela to give in and assume a different personality to be accepted by Miguel, even though she’s far from the prim and proper lady he always wanted her to be. Mela is daring and fearless, as reflected in her sleeveless tops and body-hugging bottoms. Yet throughout their relationship, she was the one who changed herself for Miguel — even though her partner remained the same.

He even believed in a blatant set-up against Mela but tried to win her back because he “couldn’t live without her.” But what is cringeworthy is Miguel’s seeming confidence that she would get back with him anyway.

Gino Avila and Trixie David of “The Breakup Playlist”

Trixie David (Sarah Geronimo) was heartbroken upon chancing a woman who spent the night in her boyfriend Gino Avila’s (Piolo Pascual) place. Trixie confronted Gino about the woman — who even kissed him before leaving — but the latter got mad at her for ruining their timing as they were supposed to perform at a gig.

Throughout the film, Gino always prioritizes his band and music career over Trixie. There’s nothing wrong with choosing your career over a relationship, but it doesn’t hurt to assure your partner that you’re both on the same page. This led to an angry Trixie saying, “Uunahin mo pa ‘yung timing? ‘Yung banda na ‘yan? Ikaw na naman? Lagi na lang ikaw?” Gino, however, opted to retort with a blazing “Sisirain mo pa ‘yung timing.” and “Tama na.”

Primo Alvarez and George Reyes of “My Ex and Whys”

Primo Alvarez (Daniel Padilla) dreams of being a world-famous musician which his girlfriend George Reyes (Kathryn Bernardo) has always been aware of. This led her to opt to make amends to balance her time between sustaining their lifestyle and chasing her budding medical career. Primo chose to buy vinyl records and do anything related to his passion.

But George — who was heartbroken with not receiving anything from Primo on her birthday, among other concerns — realized she had enough of throwing herself away for a man. Primo knew that George would leave, so he instead accused her of not believing in him.

Ginny Gonzales of “Starting Over Again”

Marco Villanueva III (Piolo Pascual) asked Ginny Gonzales’ (Toni Gonzaga) hand in marriage but she left him without a word. Four years after their breakup, they joined forces for a project. A now-committed Marco was as professional as ever, but Ginny held a grudge and even accused him of nonchalance. Because according to her, “Baka ayaw mong aminin na hanggang ngayon, ako pa rin ang gusto mo.”

Marco eventually stood his ground using the now-famous “Anong karapatan mong hingin ang isang bagay na ipinagdamot mong ibigay? I deserve an explanation. I deserve an acceptable reason” line, as a way of calling her out for not explaining why she left him out of fear — even if they discussed their future together beforehand.