“It’s kind of disappointing to hear [that some actors] regret being part of a love team. I think more than regret, you should actually be grateful, especially if you would not be where you are right now if it weren’t for a love team.”
PHOTO: Karl King Aguña, Hello, Love, Goodbye/Star Cinema

Alden Richards‘ filmography spans 13 years’ worth of romantic titles that have made audiences swoon and broken box office records. In Preview‘s May 2024 cover story, the Sparkle GMA actor dives into the often polarizing topic of love team culture and why he thinks it’s essential to Philippine show business.

Alden Richards on Why Pinoys Resonate with Love Teams

Throughout his career, Alden has been matched with numerous leading ladies to top-bill teleseryes and movies. Some actresses he’s shared the screen with include Louise Delos Reyes, Marian Rivera, Julia Montes, and Kathryn Bernardo. The leading lady he’s associated with the most is Maine Mendoza, who was the other half of the mega-successful AlDub love team.

Alden acknowledges that, of course, the idea of the love team is not new. “That’s how the industry started. Way back, [we had] Guy and Pip, or Rico Yan and Claudine Barretto. Yun na yung nakasanayan natin,” he illustrates. “It has been a part of our lives and the showbiz entertainment industry for the longest time.”

If the actor was to put himself in his audience’s shoes, he would attribute their affinity to the romantic genre to their “[belief] that good things can happen in their lives.”

Karl King Aguña

“We Filipinos are very sentimental. We latch on to things that have an emotional effect on us,” Alden explains. He goes on to emphasize how actors like him should be able to tell stories that can resonate and bring joy to their audiences.

“Ako naniniwala ako na whatever makes a person happy, you support it. You don’t go against it. As long as tama yung perspective nang pagbibigay ng happiness,” he states. “I’ve been also a witness of yung pagiging masyadong controlling ng fans over love teams. But, at the end of the day, [it’s all] for our supporters naman din.”

Alden Richards on Actors “Regretting” Being Part of Love Team

In recent times, there have been debates about whether or not the love team trope is still relevant to Philippine entertainment. Some artists have come forward with their criticisms of being a part of a love team themselves, as it inadvertently withheld them from other career opportunities.

To this, Alden says: “It’s kind of disappointing to hear [that some actors] regret being part of a love team. People tend to idolize love teams in the Philippines [because] that’s our culture kasi.”

Karl King Aguña

“I think more than regret, you should actually be grateful [for] the support that you got, [especially if] you would not be where you are right now [if it weren’t for a love team],” he continues. “Ako, I’m not ashamed that I came from love teams. I’m proud of it.”

Alden reiterates that taking part in love team culture has actually brought him to where he is today. He adds that at this point in his career, he aims to establish himself as an actor, with or without a partner.

“Right now, I’m really more [about] making the Alden Richards name known as an actor. Parang, it doesn’t matter kung [may] love team or solo [ako],” he narrates. ” What I want people to see [from] my projects is the passion that I have for this craft. Syempre, sa Filipino storytelling, ‘di naman nawawala yung romantic side.”