At Star Cinema, Al Ghurair Centre in Dubai on October 1, 2025 for the special screening of Minamahal. EXPAT MEDIA

It’s a Wednesday night at Star Cinemas in Al Ghurair Centre, Dubai. Our team of Expat Media editors—mostly Gen Xers and millennials—file in, ready for Studio Viva’s first movie outing, Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna. And right away, we notice something: the theatre is buzzing with Gen Z energy. Translation: we are officially the “titas” in the room. But fine, we try to channel our inner tweens. After all, this film, starring Andres Muhlach (yes, son of Aga) and rising star Ashtine Olviga, is based on Lara Flores’ Wattpad hit. And Wattpad, for those of us who still prefer books with paper, is basically TikTok for literature. The plot? Straight out of the young-love playbook. Ashtine plays Luna, an artistic, headstrong student with a mind of her own. Andres is Raffy, the accidental boyfriend who walks into her world like a meet-cute waiting to happen. Think: awkward banter, heartfelt confessions, and enough flowers (literally 100) to make Dubai Miracle Garden jealous. The good stuff: Ashtine shines here. She’s got screen presence, timing, and that mix of sweetness and sass that makes Luna feel real. You can already see her star power. Andres, meanwhile, has that Muhlach charm, but his acting could use more seasoning. And yes, we still detect a hint of conyo in his Tagalog lines—though maybe that’s just Raffy’s character? The not-so-good stuff: Some lines feel like they were lifted straight from a Valentine’s Day greeting card. The plot, while sweet, is predictable. But then again, who’s really here for shock twists? The mostly Gen Z audience seemed to be here for kilig, not Oscar-worthy complexity. One gentleman near us even provided his own live commentary, which, if nothing else, proved the film had an effect. Beyond the cheesiness, Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna does carry a message worth planting in impressionable minds: Study first. Love is fine, but don’t let it derail your goals. Fall deeply, but never lose yourself. Don’t live for validation. Live in the moment. Live your truth. Know what you want and have the courage to go for it. If Gen Zs walk out of the theatre with even half of that lesson, then Studio Viva’s debut has done its job. So, is this movie groundbreaking? Not really. Is it a fun watch if you’re a young romantic (or a nostalgic older one trying to fit in with the Gen Z crowd)? Absolutely. And honestly, sometimes we just need a feel-good flick with flowers, kilig, and a little conyo accent. Catch it while it’s in the UAE: Star Cinemas, Al Ghurair Centre in Dubai and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, until October 8. PIA/Expat Media
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