# Can't Buy Me Love (2023 TV series)

Can't Buy Me Love is a Philippine romantic drama television series produced by Star Creatives for ABS-CBN Studios. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, it stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. The series aired on Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida evening block from October 16, 2023 to May 10, 2024.

## 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" 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 begins a loving connection with Caroline after saving her life. 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.
* 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 serious and independent young woman who is engaged to Edward. Jana Agoncillo also plays a young Bettina.
* Albie Casiño as Charleston Tiu: Cindy and Wilson's eldest son and Caroline's older half-brother. Charleston is a rebellious young man with 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 Filipino-Chinese businesswoman and Wilson's aunt, who becomes a mentor to Caroline and Irene.

### Recurring cast

* Rafael Rosell as Sherwin Yuchengco: Annie's trusted ally and Nathan's father, who develops an interest for Bettina.
* Ketchup Eusebio as Ramoncito "Monching" Rivera: Bingo's adoptive father and Lola Nene's son, who also lives at the tenement in Binondo.
* Enzo Pineda as Edward Liao: The only son of the Liao family who is engaged to Bettina. Edward 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. 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 and Edward's lover.
* 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. He is also Edna's husband.
* 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.
* Bernard Palanca as Ronald Mariano: Bingo's father.
* Alex Medina as Felix Pelonio: Balong's son and accomplice.
* Alwyn Uytingco as Jared: Balong's accomplice.
* Katya Santos as Edna: One of Bingo's neighbors in Binondo. She is also Valentin's wife.
* Bodjie Pascua as Albert Liao: Edward's father and Wilson's business partner.
* Adriana Agcaoili as Marietta Liao: Edward's mother.
* Jay Gonzaga as Jaime de Guzman: A motivational speaker and digital marketing expert.
* Kakai Bautista as Yaya Ikay: A housekeeper for the Tiu family and Caroline's personal maid.
* Tart Carlos as Patricia "Pato" Bugtong: A former housekeeper for the Tiu family who keeps a dark secret.
* Mitch Valdez as Prudencia
* Isay Alvarez-Seña as Doc Kat: Caroline's therapist.
* Frenchie Dy as Pepper
* Cheska Iñigo as Diane: An executive assistant for Golden Lotus Corporation.
* 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: Carlo's lover.
* 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 as one of the employees at Golden Lotus Corporation.
* Von Lopez
* RJ Ledesma as Atty. Joey
* John Adajar as Paulo
* Luis Antonio Dominguez
* Cassandra Chan

## Production

Principal photography commenced in August 2023, and concluded in April 2024.

## 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. Two original songs also 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.

## Reception
### 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 with 9.7%. According to AGB Neilsen, the pilot episode of the series generated 8.0% over its rival Love Before Sunrise with 7.1%.