In Philippine media, a love team (or loveteam) is an actor and actress (or occasionally two
people of the same
gender) depicted to the public as a romantic couple. Some of these onscreen pairs have become couples in real life.
The concept of love teams can be traced back to the early years of Philippine cinema in the 1920s. The pairing of Gregorio Fernandez and Mary Walter who starred in silent films in the country during the 1920s is considered as the precursor of the love team concept in Philippine cinema.
In the 21st century, love teams are also known by the portmanteaus of the couple's names. Becoming part of a love team in the Philippine entertainment industry can be a
boost to the acting career of two
people who are part of the pairing.
The two
people in a love team often star in
television series and films with their characters. It is expected that their characters will be romantically attached like in line with their public image as a romantic couple off-screen. There are some organized
fan groups supporting love teams. However, prospects of an actor or actress involved in a love team, especially the more
popular pairings, to star with another actor or actress other than each other is limited.
TL;DR: It's kind of like shipping. But for the benefit of your career in the Philippine entertainment industry.
Althea: Who is your favourite love team?
Sofia: I like KathNiel (Kathryn
Bernardo and Daniel Padilla). I watched "The Hows of Us" and I just needed to see them together. How about you?
Althea: My favourite love team was Kimerald (Kim Chiu and
Gerald Anderson) but I do like KimXi
now (Kim Chiu and Xian Lim).
