Star Magic artists lead this May's biggest movie releases

May 16 ------ Star Magic artists Donny Pangilinan, Fyang Smith, Jane Oineza, Loisa Andalio, JM Ibarra, and Belle Mariano headline the Filipino movie releases this month.

“Almost Us” stars the breakthrough pairing of Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra on the big screen, in an exploration of "Alternate Universe" (AU) culture and the bittersweet "best friends to lovers" trope. Janine (Smith) and RR (Ibarra) are praised for their natural chemistry, with performances that feel less like acting and more like a raw, vulnerable glimpse into a genuine connection. Produced by Regal Entertainment Inc. and directed by Dan Villegas, the movie premiered last May 6 and is still showing in cinemas nationwide.

“It is a very personal project for me because it mirrors my real-life dynamic with Fyang. It made my acting feel very natural,” Ibarra shared when asked how his working relationship with his co-star affected his performance. Smith added, “I admire JM’s work ethic and professionalism. He brings intense focus to the work, which I find very inspiring.”

Under the direction of Irene Emma Villamor, “Midnight Girls” features Jane Oineza and Loisa Andalio as two of the main roles in the movie. The film pulls back the neon curtain on the lives of Filipina entertainers in Japan, offering an intimate look at survival and sisterhood.

Oineza and Andalio’s dedication is evident through their intensive immersion, allowing them to capture the quiet exhaustion and resilient spirit of OFWs with a level of authenticity that deeply honors the real-life women they represent. “I also know how much responsibility we carry now that this story was entrusted to us, and that we have become their voices in telling the stories they trusted us with,” said Oineza. The official selection at the Far East Film Festival 2026, “Midnight Girls,” is showing on May 13 in cinemas nationwide.

The comeback movie of Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan, “Tayo sa Wakas,” under the direction of Cathy Garcia-Sampana, has a new take and a different storyline from DonBelle’s previous projects on screen. Moving away from standard "kilig" tropes, the story follows Cisco (Donny Pangilinan) and Cheska (Belle Mariano) navigating the difficult reality that deep love does not always guarantee a future together. “It’s very raw, it’s very real... that’s why it’s emotional. I’m glad we got to do it with each other. I can’t imagine doing this type of film with someone else,” Pangilinan remarked. Mariano added that the film mirrors their real-life journey of self-discovery: “Finding our individuality and identity alone because the film really requires you to find who you are, and that’s where we are, Donny and I, we wanna grow as individuals, we wanna find our identity.”

This project serves as a significant milestone for both actors as they focus on their individual evolution and the courage required to define their own endings. Produced by ABS-CBN Films, “Tayo sa Wakas” is showing on May 27 in cinemas nationwide.

Source: manilatimes.net