Can't Buy Me Love (2023 TV series)

Can't Buy Me Love is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, Cathy Garcia-Sampana and Ian Loreños, it stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. It premiered on the network's Primetime Bida line up on October 16, 2023, replacing The Iron Heart. The series concluded on May 10, 2024, with a total of 148 episodes. It was replaced by High Street on its 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.

Main cast

 * Donny Pangilinan as Andrei "Bingo" 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 also plays a young Bingo.
 * Belle Mariano as Caroline "Ling" 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 also plays a young Caroline.

Supporting cast

 * Nova Villa as Salvacion "Lola Nene" 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 legal wife and the mother of Charleston, Bettina and Irene. Cindy acts as a cold-hearted step-mother to Caroline.
 * Ruffa Gutierrez as 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 also seeking revenge against the Tiu family. She was killed by Gilbert in order by Bettina.
 * Maris Racal as Irene Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's youngest daughter and Caroline's half-sister. Irene is a spoiled, alcoholic and sarcastic girl, who later develops a love-hate relationship with Snoop. Althea Ruedas also plays a young Irene.
 * Kaila Estrada as Bettina Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's middle daughter and Caroline's half-sister. Bettina is a cunning and intelligent woman who is engaged to Edward. She was responsible for killing Caroline's mother, Divine. Jana Agoncillo also plays a young Bettina.
 * Albie Casino as Charleston 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 Alfonso "Snoop" Manansala: Bingo's street-smart best friend with a sense of humor. Snoop later forms a romantic bond with Irene.
 * Joao Constancia as Carlo Tiu: Gina and Wilson's illegitimate son and Charleston's younger half-brother and accomplice. Robbie Wachtel also plays a young Carlo.
 * Darren Espanto as Stephen Tanhueco: Caroline's childhood friend.
 * Celeste Legaspi as Catherine "Cathy" Chang: A Chinese-Filipino businesswoman and Wilson's aunt.


 * Recurring cast
 * Rafael Rosell as Sherwin Yuchengco: Annie's closest ally, who develops an interest for Bettina. In the finale, he appears in the wedding of Caroline and Bingo.
 * Ketchup Eusebio as Ramoncito "Monching" Rivera: Lola Nene's son and Bingo's adoptive father.
 * Enzo Pineda as Edward Liao: Bettina's fiancé, who has an affair with Liv. He was killed by 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. She is also an online seller.
 * 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.
 * 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 the Tiu family.


 * Guest cast
 * Shaina Magdayao as Divine Almazan: Caroline's mother who was killed by Bettina.
 * Bernard Palanca as Ronald Mariano: Bingo's 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: Caroline's personal maid.
 * Tart Carlos as Patricia "Pato" Bugtong: A former housekeeper for the Tiu family.
 * 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: One of the workers at Cathy's company.
 * Matt Evans as Emong: One of the workers at Cathy's company.
 * Anna Luna as Kida: One of the workers at Cathy's company.
 * Peewee O' Hara as Yaya Lyn: Annie's personal maid.
 * Shanaia Gomez as Kara
 * Emmanuelle Vera as Geline
 * Jake Ejercito as Aldrich Co: A businessman whom Irene is interested.
 * Cris Villanueva as Gilbert "Ibe" Bautista: A former engineer who resides in La Sinfonia.
 * Aya Fernandez as Carissa: A female chef and Charleston's ex-girlfriend.
 * Freddie Webb as Dr. John Capistrano: An ophthalmologist who helped Lola Nene regain her eyesight.
 * Raul Montesa as Toni Alumahan: A retired investigator.
 * Ayen Munji-Laurel as Charry Tanhueco: Stephen's mother.
 * Audie Gemora as Brian Tanhueco: Stephen's father.
 * Floyd Tena as Atty. Philip San Diego: Sherwin's lawyer.
 * Kuya Manzano as Ahmed Al Jufalli: Annie's ex-husband.
 * Luis Manzano as a restaurant waiter.
 * Cloud Ramos
 * Clyde Cruz as Chris
 * Lotlot Bustamante
 * Nicole Cordoves
 * Von Lopez
 * RJ Ledesma as Atty. Joey
 * 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 re-recorded version of "You'll Be Safe Here" by Rico Blanco is also featured in the series. Other soundtracks include "Autumn" by Ben&Ben and Belle Mariano, and "Iyo" by Darren Espanto.

The musical score for the series was composed by Jessie Lasaten.

Release
Can't Buy Me Love streamed with advanced episodes first on Netflix on October 13, 2023, and on iWantTFC on the following day, before releasing on free-to-air television platforms on October 16, 2023.

Online viewership
Can't Buy Me Love was a success upon its premiere, garnering 454,413 concurrent live viewers on YouTube, and soared as the number-one most watched series on Netflix Philippines.

Ratings
According to Kantar Media, the series received a television ratings of 11.6%, beating its rival program 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%.