The concept of love teams has always been powerful in Philippine showbiz. Known for being romantic and kilig-hungry, Pinoys have given rise to several celebrity pairings through the years. Some of the most succcessful ones we’ve known are the tandems of Gloria Romero and Juancho Gutierrez, Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa, Vilma Santos and Bobot Mortiz, Maricel Soriano and William Martinez, Sheryl Cruz and Romnick Sarmienta, Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin, and Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales. I guess it’s safe to say many of us are really suckers for love stories, whether they happen in our lives or simply see them in others.

These days, love teams (or LTs as the new generation would call them) just crop up everywhere. Portmanteaus of the couple’s names a la Brangelina (for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) are so common. Names are automatically combined the moment signs of chemistry are observed between a male and a female star. If many have observed the spark, expect the LT name to turn into a hashtag and spread like wildfire.

Officially, AlDub, JaDine, KathNiel, and LizQuen (that’s in alphabetical order!) are the most popular celebrity teamups of GMA and ABS-CBN today.   AlDub stands for Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza, JaDine for James Reid and Nadine Lustre, KathNiel for Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, and LizQuen for Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil. These four onscreen couples dominate the advertising scene, influence the networks’ ratings, and rake in box-office sales. With the advent of social media, fans of these teamups have been more expressive and protective (and obsessive) than ever. Their support cements a loveteam’s showbiz status.

See also  Lily Cruz's Comeback Hits New All-Time High For "Wildflower"

A lot of loveteam fans want their favorite pairs to work exclusively with each other.  They invest so much emotion that reality and fiction are often blurred. There’s an unspoken expectation that loveteam partners end up together in real life. Any third party who’s a possible threat to the reel or real tandem may soon be the subject of online bashing. Getting linked to half of a popular loveteam is a risk to one’s career. Others may find it crazy but we’ve gotten so used to it. Exclusivity of artists’ contracts with networks is something that will be hard to change.

KathNiel LizQuen JaDine AlDub kathryn Bernardo Daniel Padilla Liza Soberano Enrique Gil James Reid NAdine Lustre Alden richards Yaya Dub Maine Mendoza
(Left to right from the top: KathNiel, JaDine, LizQuen, and AlDub (Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN and Eat Bulaga)

As many have observed, this is something we don’t see in Hollywood and Korean entertainment because actors and actresses are more flexible. Yes, there may be usual teamups but the pairings are not limited.  Viewers are not easily fed up with repetitive combinations. The stars get to work with different artists for TV and movie projects and there is so much room for their growth as actors and actresses. This leads us to wonder,  what if we become more open as an audience and less possessive of favorite tandems? We’ve seen the success in the surprising teamup of Xian Lim and Angel Locsin (Thank God, KimXi fans were open-minded about that one!) and there’s the interesting John Lloyd Cruz* and Jennylyn Mercado project coming soon.  Good signs of progress.

What do you think it would be like if the currently popular love teams can simply swap partners? My guess, networks will have more creative freedom and we will have more interesting projects to watch out for.

See also  Read: Maine Mendoza's Confession About Spending an Afternoon with Richard Faulkerson, Jr. (Alden)

Look, here are imaginary love team combinations from the four most popular ones. Who do you think could also have chemistry?

LizDen

LizDen Liza Soberano Alden Richards
Liza Soberano and Alden Richards (Photos courtesy of Mickey See and Inside Showbiz via fanpages)

MaiDan

MaiDan Maine Mendoza Daniel Padilla
Maine Mendoza and Daniel Padilla (Photos courtesy of Juan Sarte and Myx Philippines)                           Trivia: Prior to her showbiz stint, Maine used to have a crush on Kapamilya actor Daniel.

AlDine

AlDine Nadine Lustre Alden Richards
Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards (Photos courtesy of YES! and Inside Showbiz magazines via fanpages)

JamRyn

JamRyn James Reid Kathryn Bernardo
James Reid and Kathryn Bernardo (Photos courtesy of YES! magazine via fanpage and Denise Ochoa)

LizJam

LizJam Liza Soberano James Reid
Liza Soberano and James Reid (Photos courtesy of Mickey See and YES! magazine via fanpage)

KathDen

KathDen Kathryn Bernardo Alden Richards
Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo (Photos courtesy of Juan Sarte and Denise Ochoa)

LizNiel 

LizNiel Liza Soberano Daniel Padilla
Liza Soberano and Daniel Padilla (Photos courtesy of Mickey See and ABS-CBN PR)                                                 Liza played the third party to Kathryn and Daniel in the series Got to Believe and movie Must Be…Love.

NaDan 

NaDan Nadine Lustre Daniel Padilla
Nadine Lustre and Daniel Padilla (Photos courtesy of YES! magazine via fanpages)

MaiQuen

MaiQuen Maine Mendoza Enrique Gil
Maine Mendoza and Enrique Gil (Photos courtesy of Inside Showbiz magazine and Star Cinema)

JaMaine

JaMaine James Reid Maine Mendoza
James Reid and Maine Mendoza (Photos courtesy of YES! magazine and Juan Sarte)
Previous

In Case You Missed It: PiliPinas Debates 2016 Replay

Next

Jonalyn Viray is Now a Kapamilya; Goes By the Name 'Jona'

About Author

RandomRepublika.com: Kate Adajar

Despite being in the field of brand marketing, Kate still nurtures her love for the arts through dabbling in creative hobbies such as illustration, visual design, makeup artistry, and cake decorating. Recently, she has also discovered a fondness for watercolor painting and calligraphy.

A self-confessed TV, lifestyle, and travel junkie, Kate utilizes Random Republika as a venue for her random thoughts and discoveries.

Follow my food and other random doodles via @sliceofk on Instagram.

Check Also