Valentine’s Day has always been gatekept by a heteronormative blueprint: red roses, "boy meets girl" tropes, and a very specific, commercialized version of romance. But love is love, and we celebrate that as we should.
However, it’s time to acknowledge that for too long, these "standard" narratives have left a significant gap in our screens. While the world gets swept up in traditional grand gestures, women-loving-women (WLW) stories often remain underrepresented.
This year, we’re de-centering the status quo. At Metroscene Mag, we believe queer love doesn’t need a "special" occasion to be the main character; it deserves the spotlight because it is real, messy, and deeply human.
Here are the WLW movies you can add on your watchlist.
Saan Ako Pinaglihi?
Director: Rafaela Abucejo (2024)
A bold and insightful student film from PUP, Saan Ako Pinaglihi? Reclaims the traditional Filipino folk belief of "paglilihi" (maternal cravings) to explore the complexities of identity and queer lineage. Instead of focusing solely on biological origins, the film serves as a poignant reflection on how our environments and experiences shape our truths as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Abucejo’s direction breathes new life into local superstitions, proving that our personhood isn't just a product of chance but a journey of self-discovery and courage.
Billie and Emma
A love letter to the 90s, this film follows Billie, a rebellious teen sent from Manila to a conservative Catholic school in Northern Samar in hopes of “correcting” her sexuality. There, she meets Emma, the school’s popular and high-achieving student. As the two grow closer, their unexpected romance unfolds against the pressures of faith, small-town judgment, and teenage pregnancy. At its heart, the film is a tender coming-of-age story about love, choice, and finding the courage to define your own future.
Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita
Director: Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (2013)
Set in a quiet provincial town, this film is a beautiful exploration of childhood awakening and the "canon event" of a first crush. Anita is a young girl who becomes captivated by Erlinda, a mysterious woman who returns to their village. While the premise of a young girl falling for an older woman is often mishandled, Bernardo treats the story with incredible grace. It is tender, nostalgic, and quietly radical, capturing that fleeting moment in life where innocence meets the first confusing, exhilarating sparks of queer desire.
A Catholic Schoolgirl
In this daring and introspective film, we follow a 15-year-old A-student who finds herself at a crossroads between her faith and her awakening identity. Set within the rigid, disciplined walls of an all-girls Catholic school, the story explores her burgeoning feelings for a nun, a premise that directly confronts the church's institutional views. A Catholic Schoolgirl is a delicate yet provocative look at the internal conflict of a young girl navigating a "forbidden" attraction, challenging the traditional boundaries of devotion, authority, and self-discovery.
Open Endings
Director: Nigel Santos (2025)
Moving away from the typical coming-of-age tropes, Open Endings offers a refreshing, mature look at queer life in your 30s. The film follows four women who have successfully navigated the messy transition from ex-lovers to best friends. As they juggle the complexities of adulthood and careers, the story centers on the beauty of "chosen families" and the realization that love doesn't always have to be romantic to be soul-deep. It’s a grounded, sophisticated take on the "everything in between" moments of life, proving that some of the best love stories are the ones that never truly end—they just evolve.
T-Bird at Ako
Director: Danny Zialcita (1982)
A certified cult classic that delivers the ultimate cinematic showdown between legends Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. Sylvia (Aunor) is a sharp, high-powered lawyer who takes on the case of Isabel (Santos), a sexy dancer accused of murder. But as they work together, the professional becomes personal when Sylvia realizes she’s catching major feelings for her client. It’s campy, melodramatic, and honestly way ahead of its time for the way it explores desire and power between women. If you want to see the "Main Character Energy" of the 80s, this is the blueprint.
Rookie
Set against the high-stakes world of high school volleyball, Rookie is a breath of fresh air that captures the sheer, unadulterated kilig of a first crush. The story follows a tall, awkward transfer student who joins the school team and finds herself falling for the team captain. It’s a vibrant sports-romance that ditches the "tragic queer" trope for something much more empowering, proving that sometimes, the biggest win is simply being brave enough to love.
Join the community of Young, Empowered, and Creative! Like, Follow, Subscribe to metroscenemag.com and our socials Facebook, X, and Instagram.
.png)
