Love does not check ID or passport — it crosses borders and cultures with little regard for age or ethnicity. Whether sparked on a tropical shore or under a European skyline, romance can bridge different histories and family expectations. The new Filipino film Spring in Prague explores that truth through a cross-cultural love story rooted in real-life encounters.
Spring in Prague, from Borracho Film Production and director Lester Dimaranan, follows Alfie, a Filipino resort owner who falls for Maria, a Czech model visiting the Philippines. After a brief, intense holiday romance, Maria is called back to Prague by family obligations, prompting Alfie to travel to Europe to find out whether their connection can survive distance, culture, and political history. The movie was shot on location in Puerto Galera and in Prague and stars Paolo Gumabao and Sara Sandeva, with Elena Kozlova, Marco Gomez, and Ynah Zimmerman in supporting roles.
Producer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio says the film’s premise grew out of conversations during a 2023 trip to Prague, when embassy staff recounted many local women forming relationships with Filipino men living there. “We were told by embassy staff that many Czech women had fallen for Filipino men in Prague,” Topacio said. “That observation sparked conversations about why that was happening, and eventually, the idea for this film came out of those discussions.” He added that the creative team delved into Czech history, especially the country’s communist past, to understand how historical and cultural forces shape family dynamics and intimate relationships: “It wasn’t just about romance. We wanted to understand the background, the history, and how culture affects personal relationships.”
Paolo Gumabao, who plays Alfonso Mucho, a resort owner who meets Czech model Maruska Ruzicka (Sara Sandeva), says the project resonates personally because both he and his character are involved with foreigners. Gumabao explained that on set he and Sandeva were still getting to know each other, mirroring their characters’ tentative connection: “For me, it was a very interesting experience because the two characters in the film had just met, and in real life, Sara and I were just getting to know each other — you could see the characters groping around.” He reflected on how relationships in the Philippines can feel easier and how that uncertainty translated into their performances: “In the Philippines, relationships are simple. We brought that fumbling into our acting.”
Gumabao also spoke about his real-life relationship. He’s been with Filipino-Australian Monina Lawrence for two years. “I’m in love with a foreigner. I love falling in love with a foreigner,” he said. He recalled first noticing Lawrence on a TikTok live and being drawn not only to her looks but to her unfiltered personality — particularly her colorful swearing. He also described how they support each other. Lawrence, a former commercial model who became the breadwinner for her family, paused her career but has since been encouraged by Gumabao to return to modeling or acting. “When she was young, she did commercials and print ads. But she had to stop and work since she’s the breadwinner of her family. When she met me, I encouraged her to try modeling or acting again,” he said. On watching intimate scenes with other actors, he added, “It’s not easy watching your partner kiss someone else onscreen, but she’s always there, watching and supporting the films whether there’s a kissing scene or not.”
Spring in Prague aims to be more than a seaside fling or European romance as it attempts to map how history, culture, and personal circumstance shape whether love that crosses borders can truly take root. Catch it in cinemas this February 4.
