The Kapamilya romantic-comedy-drama teleserye ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ not only dominated the ratings but also played a pivotal role in boosting local tourism to its filming site, Binondo.
With its soaring popularity and sustained high ratings, even after moving to the third slot in primetime, the series has become a magnet for local tourists, drawing them to its current filming location in Binondo, Manila.
Director Mae Cruz Alviar took to Twitter to share the enthusiasm of netizens, posting images and videos of fans re-enacting scenes from the show or capturing memorable moments at the series’ iconic locations.
In her initial tweet, the director featured a netizen’s video re-enactment of the slow-motion scene between Bingo (Donny Pangilinan) and Ling (Belle Mariano) under the Binondo bridge.
Cute!❤️ https://t.co/X6e8QplDkp
— Mae Cruz Alviar (@queenbeemae) February 11, 2024
In her next tweet, Cruz-Alviar shared a netizens photo at the bridge in front of Bingo’s house.
“Basta talaga usapang Binondo, target talaga nilang makita yung bahay ni Bingo at yung Tagpuan ng BingLing @StarCreativesTV @queenbeemae @donnypangilinan @bellemariano02 @jayfernando3,” @bhabemtchell tweeted.
❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/wqS22L5y8H
— Mae Cruz Alviar (@queenbeemae) February 11, 2024
And in another tweet, the director shared another netizen’s video in Bingo and Ling’s favorite hang-out place beside the Pasig River under the Binondo bridge.
“OMAYGASHH SOBRANG DAMING PUMUPUNTA SA MEET UP PLACE NI BINGO AND LING!!! MGA COUPLE DIN GRABE ANG EFFECT NG DONBELLE AT CBML!!! @StarCreativesTV @ABSCBN @donnypangilinan @bellemariano02,” shared @cantbuymelovedb.
Awwww ❤️ https://t.co/xO9TrgQy0D
— Mae Cruz Alviar (@queenbeemae) February 11, 2024
@gondayaokim also retweeted the video saying CBML’s popularity cannot be testified by just high TV ratings but by the people flocking to Binondo to personally see for themselves the series’ locations.
“You can’t deny na unti-unting nakikilala ulit ang ang Binondo b’coz of #DonBelle (#BingLing) #CantBuyMeLoveOnNetflix. Some people who watched #CBML visiting the places where they’d shoot speaks louder achievement rather than the other things”
https://twitter.com/gondayaokim/status/1756687533721993371
It’s not the first instance where an ABS-CBN teleserye has attracted tourists to its filming sites.
Back in 2015, the immensely popular teleserye ‘Forevermore,’ featuring the LizQuen loveteam of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, similarly enticed people to visit its filming location.
Mt. Kabuyao in Tuba, Benguet, witnessed an influx of local tourists as it served as the backdrop for the series’ ‘Sitio La Presa,’ the fictional residence of Soberano’s character.
