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4 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms

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4 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms 

<p>When it comes to romance tropes in books and film, there’s something about the fake <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/5/14/charo-santos-dingdong-dantes-give-a-peek-into-their-own-little-world-in-only-we-know-poster-1159">relationship</a> trope that makes even a casual viewer blush!  </p><p>The pretend lovey-dovey moments that turn out to be more hilarious than cute, the constant bickering, and the way<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/5/15/5-movie-couples-from-different-backgrounds-who-fight-for-love-1751"> two people</a> stare into each other&#x27;s eyes and realize that maybe things are starting to get real — could these be why the trope is just so effective?  </p><p>See it for yourselves! Here are four <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films">Star Cinema</a> romcoms that depict fake relationships and marriages! </p><div> </div><div><strong>‘Till There Was You’ (2003)</strong></div><p>The stern single dad meets a cool, hip momma!     </p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/30Iio_cd5WQ?si=VCNPILQy2jdFtRKa" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Joanna (Judy Ann Santos) meets Albert (Piolo Pascual) and his baby girl Pippa on a bus ride. When she makes it to her stop, Albert notices that Joanna left behind a book with her photo in it. Since then, he uses Joanna’s image to make his daughter believe that she has a mother.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17536958300004 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema 01.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Years later, Pippa (Eliza Pineda) recognizes Joanna when she performs at the child’s birthday party! Albert decides to hire Joanna as Pippa’s mother, to keep his daughter happy. Part of the act is Joanna must pretend to be the wife to Albert in front of their child — he even allows Joanna to sleep in the same room with him!  </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17536958835314 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema 02.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>This was Judy Ann and Piolo’s first movie together as a love team. They would reunite for the film “Don’t Give Up on Us” three years after.<br/><br/></p><div><strong>‘Bride for Rent’ (2014) </strong></div><p>What’s something that Rocco (Xian Lim) and Rocky (Kim Chiu) both need? Money!</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/88gb_z0ydv8?si=0WDsDtb8mOjvolcy" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In “Bride for Rent”, when Rocco Espiritu loses his money from gambling, he’s left with a huge debt. Thankfully, he can pay it off as soon as he has access to his trust fund. But there’s a catch, because his grandmother Lala (Pilita Corrales) will only grant access if Rocco’s married! He ends up hiring family breadwinner-slash-aspiring actress Rocky Dela Cruz as his wife to convince his grandmother that he’s over his rebellious phase. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17536959740734 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema 03.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Lala catches on to her grandson’s scheme quickly, so she hires Rocky herself to secretly teach Rocco a lesson. Rocky accepts the offer, but when she starts to get along with Rocco, they both forget that they were only supposed to pretend. Until when can Rocky keep the secret? </p><div> </div><div><strong>‘She’s Dating the Gangster’ (2014) </strong></div><p>Being the gangster’s girlfriend is not for the faint of heart!</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uIdN3yCQLdM?si=X_f8EUHqk3hZVPGT" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In this romcom based on the hit Wattpad novel, Athena Dizon’s (Kathryn Bernardo) life turns upside down when she catches the attention of the school’s gangster, Kenji Delos Reyes (Daniel Padilla). He forces her to date him, just so he can make his ex-girlfriend Athena Abigail “Abi” Tizon (Sofia Andres) jealous. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17536960355534 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema 04.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>How does Kenji get Athena to say yes? By making a scene in front of the entire school!  </p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/scrzJN9LOBY?si=hKY_XwsONBfW0OfT" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In an exclusive interview with Star Cinema, Daniel revealed he did his own stunt for that part of the film, with the guidance of director Cathy Garcia-Sampana.   </p><div> </div><div><strong>‘James and Pat and Dave’ (2020) </strong> </div><p>Will James (Ronnie Alonte) be finally chosen this time?</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Mk6WMw3LXE?si=YUvOH4Y-0Q5jKQLY" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In this sequel to the 2016 film “Vince and Kath and James”, after varsity basketball player James causes a fight in the middle of a basketball game, he’s forced to stay with his grandmother Lola O (Odette Khan) and work in her hostel in the province as a consequence. Lola O assigns the hostel’s assistant manager, Pat (Loisa Andalio) to keep an eye on her grandson and train him. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17536960684734 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema 05.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Pat and James barely get along, but when Pat’s ex-boyfriend Dave (Donny Pangilinan) shows intention to win her back, James takes the opportunity to be Pat’s fake boyfriend — as long as he’s paid!</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17536961051914 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema 06.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The film marks the first time Loisa, Ronnie, and Donny starred in lead roles in a romantic comedy.</p><p>Watch these FULL MOVIES for FREE only on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ABSstarcinema">Star Cinema’s Official YouTube channel</a>! And remember to subscribe for exclusive updates and back-to-back movie livestream marathons! </p><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IbS7Pjsbuvc?si=lH5zBh4NqMt8vygH" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XosUneHycHw?si=LeuuX0dCzxxDW95y" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong>RELATED STORIES: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/7/21/3-star-cinema-hit-movies-that-pbb-celebrity-collab-edition-ex-housemates-recreated-on-tiktok-1849">3 Star Cinema hit movies that ‘PBB: Celebrity Collab Edition’ ex-housemates recreated on TikTok!</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/7/3/kathryn-bernardo-alden-richards-vice-ganda-lead-honorees-in-8th-eddys-box-office-hero-award-1725">Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards, Vice Ganda lead honorees in 8th Eddys’ Box Office Hero award</a></div>

<p>It starts with a deal, but the feelings end up being real! Learn more about these swoon-worthy romcoms here. </p>

It starts with a deal, but the feelings end up being real! Learn more about these swoon-worthy romcoms here.

4 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema

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4 heart-fluttering fake-to-real relationship romcoms by Star Cinema

Nela Evalle

Published Jul 28, 2025 06:18 PM PHT

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Donny Pangilinan

Loisa Andalio

Ronnie Alonte

Kim Chiu

Kathryn Bernardo

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