12 Pinoy Movies That Will Take You Traveling Without Leaving Home

Indeed, this enhanced quarantine brought about by this deadly pandemic has put every nomad’s travel plans on hold. For the first time in a long time, we’re finally staying home after spending every freakin weekend, day offs, and work leaves in some faraway place. Our itchy feet were forcefully put to rest and our thirst for adventure will have to wait for quenching until the virus is eradicated. I don’t know about you but I actually made 2020 my year of travel. I started off big with spontaneous exploits in Davao Oriental, followed by my amazing adventure in Antique, and finally partaking in the epic Dinagyang Festival in January only to be stalled a few weeks after. Talk about savagely stomping on my dreams and I know I’m not the only one who thinks that the recent events turned out to be an utter and complete disappointment. But hey, we don’t have to stay sulking and upset. Why don’t we lighten up a bit, let our minds cope with stress, and allow these awesome Pinoy Movies take us to an awesome journey.

A broken heart doesn’t heal quickly. It truly is inexplicably painful, sometimes fatal (pardon the emo reference. Lol). That Thing Called Tadhana follows the story of Mace (Angelica Panganiban), her recent heartbreak, and how a guy (JM de Guzman) he just met in the airport of Rome while on her way back to The Philippines will be vital to her healing. And as they travel to Baguio and Sagada with their friendship going ever so deeply, will it be enough to endure even after the journey. That Thing Called Tadhana will surely bring out lots of emotions and tears so get ready with that tissue paper, will you.

Milan popularized one of the most emotional and iconic lines in Filipino movies ever! This 2004 Classic is one of my all-time favorites. It stars Claudine Barreto (Jenny) and Piolo Pascual (Lino) and was filmed in the beautiful city of Milan where their story unfolded. The story began with Lino going to Italy to look for his wife, Mary Grace, whom he had no contact for a long time. There, he met Jenny who offered to help. As the film progressed, they found themselves leaning on each other. What started as friendship turned into a beautiful love affair. But their love was severely put to the test and both had to have a quick and painful bite at reality.

The huge Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla fans will swear by this movie. This blockbuster hit was shot in Barcelona where the love story of Mia (Kathryn) and Ely (Daniel) began. It started when Ely encountered Mia in the subway and unwittingly followed her around as she has this uncanny resemblance to Celine (Who the hell is Celine?!). As their story goes on, they found themselves falling for each other but both of their pasts, especially Ely’s, were much of a baggage to allow them to move on. Will their love be enough to start anew? It’s for you to find out.

If there’s a place in the Philippines most perfect for the word heaven, it certainly is Batanes and it definitely is fitting a place to shoot this classic hit which starred Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez. The film is a typical romance where boy and girl fall apart as the girl chooses and marries a rich man and boy goes away then comes back with a vengeance. For those who didn’t know, this film is an adaptation of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights but with all the local flavors.

Just when I thought Kathryn Bernardo would never make it outside of her tandem with Daniel Padilla, she emerged victorious and with a huge smile on her face with the tremendous success of her movie, Hello Love, Goodbye, with Alden Richards. This film revolves around Joy (Kathryn) and Ethan (Alden) who both work in Hong Kong. The world will bring them together in the most unconventional ways and as their love blossoms in all the corners of Hong Kong, discovering each other’s demons and overcoming them, they will learn the true essence of love and letting go.

Bestfriends Carson (Maja Salvador) and Dio (Paolo Avelino) went on a last road trip to La Union before their graduation. Unknowingly to Dio, this would also be Carson’s last effort to settle her seven years of unrequited love for him. Will she be able to finally free herself of his charms or will she continue to blindly give in to his whims? Will he come out to feel the same way or is she just set for a heartbreak since the beginning? Truly, those who are secretly in love with their besties can relate.

Laura (Erich Gonzales) is a successful Youtube vlogger who has everything perfectly laid out for her, a huge following, and a loving relationship until she finds herself seeking more freedom. A life she thinks will depend on her choices and not on what people expect from her. Diego (Jericho Rosales) is an accomplished music artist who finds himself unhappy and dissatisfied with his life in Manila. Both would find themselves seeking refuge in the rustic surf island of Siargao. As they get to know each other deeply, will this bring them together or will this make them realize what truly matters.

This movie takes you on a joy trip along the scenic roads of Bacolod and nearby towns. It follows the story of Audrey (Liza Soberano), a small-town girl whose boyfriend, Tristan (Gerald Anderson) is in a coma as she falls in love with Ethan (Enrique Gil), a competitive boy from the city who works for a TV company. This budding romance between Audrey and Ethan will be thwarted by the awakening of Tristan. In the end, Audrey will be torn between the man of his dreams and the man who makes her dreams come true.

Ben (Paolo Contis) and Jen (Alessandra De Rossi) have been in a long term relationship for 13 years. As an engagement gift, Ben took Jen on a vacation to Iceland, the latter’s dream country. This trip tested their relationship to so many levels as they discover how vastly different they are as people. Well, at least for Ben as he remarked Jen to be completely different from the girl he fell in love with 13 years ago. Will this trip break them apart or could they make it still work somehow.

Charlie (Piolo Pascual) has long lived in Alaska and has been estranged from his son (Raikko Mateo) until one summer when the latter went to live with them. Charlie struggles and he finds it difficult to connect and build a relationship with his son as he is distracted by Angel (Yen Santos), a Filipina who came to Alaska to look for her mother. The Northern Lights showcases the love of all kinds, the unbreakable bond of a family, and how forgiveness can easily heal a wound of the past.

Talk about one of my favorites, Don’t Give Up On Us follows Abby (Judy Ann Santos) as she runs after her best friend who disappeared weeks before her marriage to Abby’s brother. Her quest took her to Baguio where he met Vince (Piolo Pascual) who was forced to help her with her endeavor. As they journey along the scenic Mountain Province, the two fall hopelessly in love with each other but things are just not that easy. Abby has a successful career in the city and Vince loves the simple life and they couldn’t force each other to leave their lives one way or the other for the sake of their love. But I guess, true love will always find its way and you just need not give up easily.

Tonyo (Empoy Marquez) is not your typical leading man but he was just perfect next to Lea (Alessandra De Rossi). This romantic comedy film will take you on a journey to the beautiful city of Sapporo and other stunning cities of Japan. The story is also not your ordinary boy meets girl and they fall in love kind. It has lots of wits and laughter. It carries with it a vibrant atmosphere and a twist you surely didn’t see coming.

If you have watched any of these movies feel free to share your thoughts on the comments. Also if you have any movie suggestions, don’t hesitate to drop them below. I would really love to watch more of these films. Until next time. Ciao!