Can't Buy Me Love is a Philippine romantic drama television series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, it stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. The series premiered on the network's Primetime Bida evening block on October 16, 2023, replacing The Iron Heart. The series is set to conclude on May 10, 2024 with a total of 148 episodes. It will be replaced by High Street on it's timeslot.
Plot
When a young man gets caught up in a deadly plot against a rich woman, he pays a devastating cost to free her — creating a debt that binds them together.
Cast and characters
Main cast
Donny Pangilinan as Andrei "Bingo" P. Mariano: A street-smart, hardworking Filipino boy who was adopted and raised by a poor, yet loving family in Binondo, Manila. Bingo explores different jobs until he saves Caroline's life and begins a relationship with her.
Jeremiah Cruz as young Bingo
Belle Mariano as Caroline "Ling" A. Tiu: The black sheep and intelligent daughter of a wealthy Chinese-Filipino family. Caroline has a traumatic past caused by the death of her mother, and she seeks to find all the answers to her questions with the help of Bingo.
Chastity Dizon as young Ling
Supporting cast
Nova Villa as Salvacion "Lola Nene / Mamang" Rivera: Bingo's loving adoptive grandmother, who lives in a tenement in Binondo, Manila.
Rowell Santiago as Wilson Tiu: The patriarch of the Tiu family and the president of Golden Lotus Corporation (GLC). Wilson is Caroline's father who adopted her into his family after her mother's death.
Agot Isidro as Cindy Young-Tiu: Wilson's wife and the mother of Charleston, Bettina and Irene. Cindy acts as a cold-hearted step-mother to Caroline.
Ruffa Gutierrez as Atty. Gina Tan: Wilson's mistress and Carlo's mother. Gina is a lawyer serving for the Tiu family, and also Cindy's accomplice.
Ina Raymundo as Annie Pedrosa-Mariano / Annie Pedrosa-Al Jufalli: Bingo's mother, who abandoned him when he was a child. Annie is seeking revenge against the Tiu family.
Maris Racal as Irene "Erna" Y. Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's youngest daughter and Caroline's half-sister and rival. Irene is a spoiled, alcoholic and sarcastic girl, who later develops a love-hate relationship with Snoop.
Althea Ruedas as young Irene
Kaila Estrada as Bettina Y. Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's middle daughter and Caroline's half-sister and rival. Bettina is a serious and proud, yet bitter young woman with a strong dislike towards Caroline. She is the killer of Caroline's mother, Divine.
Jana Agoncillo as young Bettina
Albie Casino as Charleston Y. Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's eldest son and Caroline's older half-brother. Charleston is a rebellious young man who has a protective and caring side for Caroline.
Anthony Jennings as Snoop Alfonso Manansala: Bingo's street-smart best friend with a sense of humor. Snoop later forms a romantic bond with Irene.
Joao Constancia as Carlo T. Tiu: Gina and Wilson's illegitimate son and Charleston's younger half-brother and accomplice.
Robbie Wachtel as young Carlo
Darren Espanto as Stephen Tanhueco: Caroline's childhood friend.
Celeste Legaspi as Catherine "Cathy" Chang: A businesswoman and Wilson's aunt.
Recurring cast
Rafael Rosell as Sherwin Yuchengco: Annie's closest ally and Balong's boss, who develops an interest for Bettina.
Ketchup Eusebio as Ramoncito "Monching" Rivera: Nene's son and Bingo's adoptive father.
Enzo Pineda as Edward Liao: Bettina's fiancee, who has an affair with Liv.
Chie Filomeno as Jersey Lim: Caroline and Stephen's best friend.
Vivoree Esclito as Pandora "Dara" dela Cruz: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
Karina Bautista as Bougie Dimaranan: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
Rhen Escaño as Olivia "Liv" Almario: Bettina's best friend, who has an affair with Edward.
Cris Villanueva as Engr. Gilbert "Manong Ibe" Bautista: Bettina's accomplice, also Cindy's accomplice.
Alora Sasam as Bierna: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
Gello Marquez as Koriks: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo.
Hyubs Azarcon as Valentin "Kap Tin" de Jesus: A barangay captain in Binondo.
Ronnie Lazaro as Abalos "Balong" Pelonio: A mysterious man seeking revenge against Caroline.
Freddie Webb as Dr. John Capistrano: An ophthalmologist who helped Nene regain her eyesight.
Guest cast
Shaina Magdayao as Divine Almazan: Caroline's late mother.
Bernard Palanca as Ronald Mariano: Bingo's late father.
Alex Medina as Felix Pelonio
Alwyn Uytingco as Jared
Katya Santos as Edna
Bodjie Pascua as Albert Liao: Edward's father.
Adriana Agcaoili as Marietta Liao: Edward's mother.
Jay Gonzaga as Jaime de Guzman
Kakai Bautista as Yaya Ikay
Tart Carlos as Patricia "Pato" Bugtong
Mitch Valdez as Prudencia
Isay Alvarez-Seña as Doc Kat
Frenchie Dy as Pepper
Cheska Inigo as Thea
Olive Isidro as Phoebe
Karl Gabriel as Bob
Argel Saycon as Boloy
Igi Boy Flores as Neco
Matt Evans as Emong
Anna Luna as Kida
Peewee O' Hara as Yaya Lyn
Shanaia Gomez as Kara
Emmanuelle Vera as Geline
Jake Ejercito as Aldrich Co
Aya Fernandez as Carissa: A female chef who was Charleston's former girlfriend.
Ayen Munji-Laurel as Charry Tanhueco: Stephen's mother.
Audie Gemora as Brian Tanhueco: Stephen's father.
Kuya Manzano as Ahmed Al Jufalli: Annie's ex-husband.
Floyd Tena as Atty. Philip San Diego
Luis Manzano as a restaurant waiter.
Cloud Ramos
Clyde Cruz as Chris
Lotlot Bustamante
Nicole Cordoves
Von Lopez
RJ Ledesma as Atty. Joey
Raul Montesa
John Adajar as Paulo
Luis Antonio Dominguez
Cassandra Chan
Production
Principal photography commenced in August 2023.
Music
The theme song of Can't Buy Me Love is a 2023 version of "You'll Be Safe Here" performed by Moira Dela Torre. A new version of the original song by Rico Blanco is also featured in the series. Other soundtracks include "Autumn" by Ben&Ben and Belle Mariano, and "Iyo" by Darren Espanto.
Release
The series is streaming with advanced episodes first on Netflix on October 13, 2023 and on iWantTFC on October 14, before its release on other platforms on October 16, 2023.
Reception
Can't Buy Me Love was a success upon its premiere, garnering 454,413 concurrent live viewers on YouTube, and also soared as the number-one most watched series on Netflix Philippines. According to Kantar Media, the series received a TV ratings of 11.6%, beating its timeslot rival Love Before Sunrise (9.7%). According to AGB Neilsen, the pilot episode of the series generated 8.0% over its rival Love Before Sunrise with 7.1%.