Filipino Web series have gained popularity over the years. Improvements to the local internet infrastructure as made web series more accessible for potential readers, and also for aspiring writers to grace the world with their imagination. Several noteworthy Filipino web series have gained immense popularity over the years , so much so that many have been brought to life on the big screen. Here is a list of 5 popular Filipino films that you may not have known were based on popular web series.
1. Diary Ng Panget (2014)
This is a breakthrough Filipino film that is based on a web series with the same title. Denny R wrote Diary Ng Panget at age 13. The web series was later published and adapted to film in 2014 starring Nadine Lustre as Eya and James Reid as Cross.
The film revolves around these two, with Eya left by her aunt to fend for herself. She desperately took a job to be Cross's personal maid. Following a "love square" with two other friends, they later find love that goes beyond looks. Grossing P120 million after its release, it was hailed as one of the top-grossing Filipino films in 2014.
2. She's Dating the Gangster (2014)
Another web series that swept the fans online and broke their hearts at the same time. She's Dating the Gangster tells the story of Kelay Dizon (Kathryn Bernardo) and Kenneth De Los Reyes (Daniel Padilla). They meet due to a plane mishap, both looking for Kenneth's father, Kenji (Richard Gomez). Through their journey together, Kelay shares why she's looking for his father and retells the great love story of Athena Dizon and Kenji De Los Reyes that happened decades back.
In this journey, the two eventually found comfort in each other as they try to find answers to the questions they have in life and at the same time, find closure on the love that precedented their time. Though this film took a different turn from the web series, it still managed to tell a beautiful story. The film grossed P286 million through its whole run in the movie theatre.
3.Ex with Benefits (2015)
Breaking away from teen romantic-drama films, Ex with Benefits tells the story of two former lovers who meet a decade later. Arki Aragon (Colleen Garcia) wasn't able to push through her medical studies and became a pharmaceutical sales representative. Over the years, she gained quite a reputation for doing anything just to close deals. She then meets her ex-boyfriend Adam Castrances (Derek Ramsay), a now doctor, with a successful blog.
Their second chance in love is put to the test when the issues in their past started to resurface. The two must figure out if they are willing to set aside the past and choose love above all. Ruth Mendoza wrote the web series and not surprisingly, the film too was received well in 2015. It garnered a total of P135 million during its run.
4.This Time (2016)
The web series that inspired this film is written by Aly Almario entitled "That One Summer." Starring Nadine Lustre as Ava and James Reid as Coby. This Time tells the story of two childhood friends who only get together every summer. Their relationship was special but remained vague until Coby realises how deep he feels for Ava when she meets Aldrin (Bret Jackson).
The two learn how important they are to each other despite distance and time. Their journey proves that true love is indeed patient and when the time is right, life unfolds beautifully. It reportedly garnered P100 million during its whole run, and this is the fourth film these two starred in together.
5.Bloody Crayons (2017)
A suspense thriller film based on a web series with the same title. Bloody Crayons tell the story of nine friends who went to an island to finish a project. Starring Janella Salvador as Eunice, Elmo Magalona as Kiko, Jane Oineza as Olivia, Empoy Marquez as Gerard, Maris Racal as Richalaine, Sofia Andres as Marie, Diego Loyzaga as Kenly, Yves Flores as Justin and Ronnie Alonte as John. Conflict arose when Olivia learned that Kenly and Marie were dating. Making things worse, Olivia's best friend Eunice knows but keeps this a secret from her. The next evening, they agreed to play a game called Bloody Crayons, where each picks a colour from the box where each has its own corresponding consequence.
It was all fun and games until the game turned out to be deadly. The group needs to find who's the killer among them before he or she kills them all. Though this film had a rocky start since 2015, and many stars were selected then replaced over the transition to the final cast, it still doesn't disappoint the web series fans. It garnered P35 million during its release.