Liza Soberano has a bone to pick with one of her own hit romantic comedies. Looking back at her 2017 film My Ex and Whys, the actress called out what she described as its “misogynistic take” on women and relationships.
During her appearance on the TigerBelly podcast, hosted by Asian-American comedians Bobby Lee and Khalyla Kuhn, Soberano was discussing her previous projects when the conversation turned to My Ex and Whys, which she starred in alongside former onscreen partner and real-life boyfriend Enrique Gil.
“I like this movie too, but I don’t like the misogynistic take on it,” the actress said.
Soberano went on to explain that her character, Cali, gets cheated on by her boyfriend, Gio (Gil), and becomes a popular blogger by writing about everything that went wrong in their relationship. “And then later on, people start hating on her for being such a manhater. And then, she gets cancelled,” she said. “And so, she’s now trying to make up with her ex so that she can prove to everyone that they’re okay.”
Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, the romantic comedy follows Gio, a notorious womanizer who attempts to win back Cali and convince her that he has changed. The film was a box office success, earning P400 million domestically and $5 million internationally throughout its theatrical run. The LizQuen love team also received praise from audiences for their chemistry.
But Soberano isn’t the first to criticize My Ex and Whys. Film critic Philbert Dy, in a review for The Neighborhood, called the plot “bizarre” and “toxic,” with the movie “unable to conceive of a way to display the pain that [Cali] went through without resorting to ludicrous antics.”
Frequently Asked Questions
My Ex and Whys stars Liza Soberano as Cali and Enrique Gil as Gio. The 2017 romantic comedy features the former onscreen love team known as LizQuen.
My Ex and Whys was directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, a Filipino filmmaker known for romantic comedies and drama films, including She’s the One (2013), The Hows of Us (2018), and Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019).
My Ex and Whys premiered in Philippine cinemas on February 15, 2017, in time for Valentine’s Day.
The film reportedly earned approximately P400 million in the Philippines and $5 million internationally during its theatrical run, making it a commercial success for the LizQuen love team.
Liza Soberano said she still likes My Ex and Whys, but disagrees with what she described as the film’s “misogynistic take.” She criticized how her character, Cali, is portrayed after being cheated on, particularly how she faces backlash for speaking publicly about her failed relationship and eventually tries to reconcile with her ex.
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