Netflix Philippines has just announced its slate of original films and shows for the year, and the roster is nothing short of star-studded.
On February 9, at a press conference at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Netflix Philippines’ Content Lead, Vitto Lazatin, announced that five upcoming Filipino Netflix Original projects — two films and three series — will premiere on the platform later this year.
The first film announced was director Dolly Dulu’s rom-com 18th Rose, in which Kyle Echarri and Xyriel Manabat star as two high school students who find love in early 2000s Romblon. The film will begin streaming on April 9.
Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon, directed by Cholo Laurel, is a dramedy starring Jodi Sta. Maria and Agot Isidro are two rival family members. “As Filipinos, we’re very family-centric,” said Isidro at the press conference. “So we’re really reaching out to the Filipino audience… there’s always one person who you really hate [in your family], another one who you really love, and you can relate to all these characters in [Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon].” The film will be available on August 13.
Isidro also stars in the upcoming Netflix original series, Balaraw, directed by Rae Red. The horror feature follows a young woman, played by Janine Gutierrez, who ventures to the island of Balaraw in search of her mother, played by Isidro. Balaraw will dive deep into the supernatural world of Filipino folklore. Also starring Charlie Dizon.
Paskong Pinoy, billed as Netflix Philippines’ first Christmas-themed anthology series, is set to reunite some of the most recognizable stars of 90s Filipino TV, including Bobby Andrews, Angelu De Leon, and Rica Peralejo. Director Mark Reyes’ series also stars Barbie Forteza and Enchong Dee in their first project together. In time for the holiday season, Paskong Pinoy begins streaming on December 3.
The final Netflix original series is Erik Matti’s BuyBust: The Undesirables. It follows Anne Curtis returning to her role as anti-narcotics officer Nina Manigan from Matti’s 2018 action thriller, with Gerald Anderson entering the BuyBust universe for the first time.
“We never thought BuyBust, the movie, could be continued as something else,” said Matti. “But when Netflix talked to us, that’s when we thought of dystopia, of a more timeless, universal story of the rich and poor.”
In addition to these Netflix original projects, the platform will stream local series from local networks GMA and ABS-CBN.
GMA’s The Master Cutter, which stars Dingdong Dantes as a former scout ranger who leads a double life as a tailor by day and a bounty hunter by night. The show, directed by Dominic Zapata, will be available on the streaming platform 72 hours before its local free TV premiere.
“I’m ready to accept your orders,” joked Dantes. “Your vestidas and suits, just bring them to the set!” The leading man also hinted at how his character will be wearing a wide array of disguises, from a clown suit to the uniform of a Cuban mafia member.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN’s Someone, Someday is a rom-com series that follows a young woman who builds a dating app to help women find love, but in the process, she finds love for herself. It stars Maja Salvador, Kathryn Bernardo, and James Reid, and it is directed by Dolly Dulu and Chad Vidanes.
