It’s back-to-school season once again and the nerves can get too real to ignore. With new classmates, teachers, challenges, and academic endeavors, you can never truly prepare for what another school year has in store. You can go back and forth replenishing your school supplies, double-checking your enrollment requirements, and resetting your body clock as much as you want, but handling what’s yet to come is your true test of resilience and growth as a learner.
Photo: iWantTFC, VIVA TV, Esnyr/YouTube
Thankfully, you aren’t alone in this definitive chapter of your life. Back-to-school jitters know no physical realms. Real or fictional, they plague every student’s waking minute. But if it’s any consolation, these characters from Filipino campus dramas and films will stay by your side as you roll with the punches. Let these titles and their respective life lessons give you the warm welcome you still deserve despite your hectic schedule and academic workload.
Love At First Spike (2025)
Spikes and sparks fly in this new campus drama about student-athletes and their heartwarming journeys of love, teamwork, and self-discovery. “Love At First Spike” stars Emilio Daez as Uno Santillan, the former captain of Brixton High’s basketball team who relentlessly seeks a new playing field after getting kicked out. When the boys’ volleyball team opens for tryouts, Uno reunites with past friendships he now has to rebuild in the name of sportsmanship, honor, and school spirit. Competitions and newfound feelings arise as Uno struggles to make amends with his old and new teammates (played by several familiar faces you might recognize from past “Pinoy Big Brother” seasons). But even in the face of conflict, “Love at First Spike” will always celebrate your existence and make space for you to keep your dreams alive with utmost freedom. The series premiered on June 20 on iWantTFC with new episodes every Friday at 8:00 PM.
Ang Mutya ng Section E (2025)
Let’s be real, who hasn’t heard of this hit book-to-screen adaptation on Viva One? In her most remarkable and recognized role yet, Ashtine Olviga plays Jasper Jean “Jay-Jay” Mariano, the headstrong new girl at Higher Value International School (HVIS). Her spunky, disruptive reputation lands her in Section E, notorious for housing the school’s top troublemakers. As the only girl in her class, Jay-Jay gets caught in a flurry of her classmates’ shenanigans, chaos, roughhousing, and sprinkles of kilig from her budding relationships with Yuri (Rabin Angeles) and class president Keifer (Andres Muhlach). For students who’ve abided by books and rules all their lives, this show alludes to the rebels within us that long to be unleashed without fear.
He’s Into Her (2021-2022)
“Ang matapang, umiiyak, pero hindi nagpapasindak.” Here’s to the steady rise of strong, unapologetic female leads in new-age shows and movies. “He’s Into Her” is another adaptation of a hit Wattpad series that centers Maxpein del Valle’s (Belle Mariano) ups and downs at Benison International School. A tiff with brooding campus heartthrob Deib (Donny Pangilinan) kickstarts Maxpein’s series of twists and turns in school and at home. This is your sign to revisit DonBelle’s breakthrough project that propelled them to mega-stardom as two of this generation’s most stellar actors. You can watch seasons one and two of “He’s Into Her” on Netflix and iWantTFC.
Senior High (2023-2024)
“Senior High” has complex chains of mysteries written all over it, and it’s up to Sky (Andrea Brillantes) to solve them. When her twin sister Luna’s death sparks numerous accusations around Sky and her classmates at the prestigious Northford High, their goals and turning points as students become targets for unnerving scandals. This series features an ensemble of today’s most promising artists tackling impactful messages on mental health issues and bullying amid heightened school drama. You can watch “Senior High” and its sequel “High Street” on iWantTFC.
Lyric and Beat (2022)
When aspiring singer Lyric (Brillantes) is granted a scholarship at the Philippine National Conservatory of Music, she stops at nothing to make her larger-than-life dreams a reality against all odds. With her new mentors’ guidance and support, Lyric blossoms into the superstar she was born to be alongside the outgoing and exceptionally talented classmates she’ll soon call family. Featuring the era-defining music of Jonathan Manalo, “Lyric and Beat” is a youthful celebration of OPM across generations. Fans of “Glee” and “Pitch Perfect” are in for a treat with teen drama. All eight episodes of “Lyric and Beat” are available on iWantTFC.
Cleaners (2019)
If you’ve already watched Glenn Barit’s coming-of-age indie hit “Cleaners” at least once in this lifetime, consider yourself lucky. Many have deemed this film a quintessential retelling of our shared high school experiences that are nothing short of fun, shameless, carefree, and full of hope for what lies ahead. “Cleaners” sees a group of high school students assigned to clean their classrooms navigating their respective points of growth and learning. Since its premiere at the 2019 QCinema Film Festival, “Cleaners” has become a recurring title at screenings in local theaters and school film features. Go ahead and secure a front-row seat the first chance you get.
Rookie (2023)
QCinema 2023’s widely acclaimed fan favorite “Rookie” is director Samantha Lee’s love letter to sapphic relationships in a light and heartfelt atmosphere. When an all-girls school’s awkward and antisocial newbie Ace (Pat Tingjuy) joins the volleyball team and catches feelings for its captain Jana (Aya Fernandez), the two find comfort in each other and the sport they now share. Amid societal pressure and prejudice, Ace and Jana are at the helm of the film’s simple yet meaningful representation of young queer couples who proclaim their love out loud. You can watch “Rookie” on Amazon Prime.
Billie and Emma (2018)
“Billie and Emma,” also directed by Lee, is often deemed one of the Internet’s introductions to sapphic couples in modern Filipino media. The film tells the story of academic achiever Emma (Gabby Padilla), whose unforeseen pregnancy puts an abrupt halt to her future in school. Utterly distraught, she meets new student Billie (Zar Donato), her safe space and place of rest amid life-altering complications. “Billie and Emma” challenges long-standing beliefs and ideals in defense of freedom and equality. Pride Month may have just ended, but its essence and purpose live on through this film and the countless pivotal stories of the LGBTQIA+ community that followed.
The Day I Loved You (2023)
“The Day I Loved You” is a hidden gem in the country’s roster of boys’ love (BL) shows. It follows campus troublemaker Eli (Raynold Tan) and model student Nikko (Tommy Alejandrino) in the highs, lows, and in-betweens of their love story leading up to prom night. The series also stars Rabin Angeles as Nikko’s overprotective best friend Justin, who doesn’t hesitate to intervene when things get intense between the two leads. Tender and unassuming, it’s high time we give this criminally underrated series a thoughtful watch. “The Day I Loved You” is available on Regal Entertainment’s YouTube channel as a three-hour marathon of all ten episodes.
Esnyr’s High School Series (2024-Present)
While viral social media sensation Esnyr is at the height of his “Pinoy Big Brother” journey, let’s show him some love by watching his hit “High School” series on YouTube. Each episode pays homage to the relatable and nostalgic core memories we shared with our friends in class. Or, in Esnyr’s case, his fellow actors and online stars. The sentimental dynamics between classmates, their teachers, and their crushes from other sections will have you wanting more of the series altogether.
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Who are your favorite characters and couples from these hit campus dramas and films? Tell us in the comments below!
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