Filipino films and TV shows have a way of telling stories that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. Whether it’s the trials of love, the complexities of family relationships, or the pursuit of dreams, these narratives resonate across cultures. It’s no wonder that some Filipino movies and series have inspired international adaptations, finding new audiences around the world.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these remarkable stories and how they’ve traveled beyond the Philippines.
What’s Inside
- Kita Kita
- Sigaw
- Forevermore
- Pangako Sa’yo
- Kadenang Ginto
- Sana’y Wala ng Wakas
- Tayong Dalawa
- Sino Ang May Sala?: Mea Culpa
- The Legal Wife
- Impostora
- Hanggang Saan
MOVIES
1. Kita Kita
Kita Kita, starring Alessandra De Rossi and Empoy Marquez, is a 2017 romantic comedy about an unlikely romance between a Filipino woman in Japan with temporary blindness and her next-door neighbor. The film’s unique blend of humor, heartache, and picturesque settings resonated with audiences far beyond the Philippines. Its success inspired an Indonesian remake titled, “Cinta Itu Buta” in 2019, proving that the charm of love stories transcends cultural boundaries.
2. Sigaw
SIGAW TRAILER | Regal Capital Inc.
Sigaw is a 2004 Filipino horror film directed by Yam Laranas, starring Richard Gutierrez and Iza Calzado, that tells the chilling story of a man who moves into an old apartment, only to discover that it is haunted by the ghosts of a woman and her child who were brutally murdered. The film’s haunting atmosphere and gripping narrative led to a Hollywood remake in 2008, also titled “The Echo.” This adaptation retained much of the original’s eerie tone, bringing Filipino horror to an international audience and demonstrating the global appeal of well-crafted suspense and terror.
SERIES
3. Forevermore
Forevermore, which aired in the Philippines from 2014 to 2015 starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, tells the story of Xander and Agnes, whose love blossoms in a strawberry farm. The series’ engaging storyline and memorable characters captivated audiences in the Philippines and beyond, leading to a Turkish adaptation in 2023 entitled: Vermem Seni Ellere with a total of nine episodes.
4. Pangako Sa’yo
Pangako Sa’yo, starring Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, is one of the most iconic teleseryes in the Philippines. In fact, it has two versions in the country, first one is the original version which was aired in 2000 and the remake was in 2015 with Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla portraying the lead roles.
But before the 2015 remake, Cambodia created an adaptation of the popular teleserye which was titled “The Promise.” It aired from 2013 to 2014, and ran three episodes a week.
5. Kadenang Ginto
Starring Albert Martinez, Beauty Gonzales, Dimples Romana, Andrea Brillantes, and Francine Diaz, Kadenang Ginto was almost always trending during the time it aired from 2018 to 2020, with three seasons and a total of 348 episodes because of its intense plot and strong characters. This made the series the first ever Philippine drama adapted by Indonesian television network ANTV, which was titled: Putri Mahkota and was aired in 2020.
6. Sana’y Wala ng Wakas
Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas is another classic Filipino teleserye, starring Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa, Diether Ocampo, and Angelika dela Cruz, highlighting the enduring love story of two people separated by fate. The drama aired for more than a year from May 2003 to July 2004, having two seasons with a total of 298 episodes. It was also the first teleserye in the country to have a finale where the viewers can decide who the leading lady, Ara (Kristine Hermosa), will choose to marry.
Its emotional depth and romantic narrative found international appeal, that’s why in 2018, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas had a Malaysian remake with the title, “Cinta Tiada Ganti,” which aired on Astro Prima and Astro Maya HD.
7. Tayong Dalawa
Tayong Dalawa was a hit not only in the Philippines, but also in other countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Uganda, and Kenya. It’s also the first Filipino series that was featured on Singapore’s telenovela lineup. Its gripping storyline gave birth to a Malaysian remake with the title, “Angkara Cinta”, which ran from November 2020 to April 2021, becoming the most-watched show on the Astro Prima Channel in 2020.
8. Sino Ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa
Sino ang May Sala?: Mea Culpa is a legal-suspense-drama series, starring Jodi Sta. Maria, Bela Padilla, Tony Labrusca, Ketchup Eusebio, Kit Thompson, Ivana Alawi, and Sandino Marton, that dives into the lives of six lawyers entangled in a murder case. The show’s intriguing plot and exploration of moral dilemmas resonated with audiences both locally and internationally, which led to its Indonesian remake in 2020 with the title “Bukan Salah Cinta.”
9. The Legal Wife
We normally see plot lines like that of The Legal Wife on Philippine TV, but this particular story has viewers at the edge of their seats because of the intense confrontation scenes. Starring Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales, and Maja Salvador, The Legal Wife explores themes of infidelity, love, and redemption. The 2014 series’ emotional intensity and realistic portrayal of marriage issues struck a chord with viewers, prompting a Malaysian adaptation in February 2023 with the title, “Isteri Halal.”
10. Impostora
Impostora, a TV series aired by GMA Network in 2007, starring Iza Calzado and Sunshine Dizon, stands out as one of the pioneering Filipino teleseryes to be adapted internationally. Its storyline draws inspiration from the 1993 Philippine film Sa Isang Sulok ng mga Pangarap.
The series was first aired in Malaysia in 2007, and in 2013, a Cambodian adaptation was made with the title, “Impostors,” which gained immense popularity in Cambodia. In 2017, another Filipino remake was released, starring Kris Bernal with the same title as the original.
11. Hanggang Saan
Hanggang Saan, starring Sylvia Sanchez and Arjo Atayde, is a 2017 touching drama about a mother’s sacrifice to save her son. Its emotional narrative and portrayal of unconditional love appealed to international audiences, which is why it became the first ever Filipino series to have a Turkish adaptation with the title, “Bir Annenin Gunahi” in 2020.
As Filipino cinema continues to evolve and grow, it will be exciting to see which other stories will capture the imagination of international audiences next. For now, the legacy of these successful remakes continues to bridge cultures and bring stories to life on screens worldwide.
