iQiyi & ABS-CBN Pact for Filipino Originals

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iQiyi has secured a multi-title content deal with ABS-CBN for four Filipino original romantic series.

Per the deal, the titles will be streamed exclusively on the iQiyi app and website. Debuting on December 4, Saying Goodbye follows Elise (Andrea Brillantes) and Ricky (Seth Fedelin), whose paths cross at an old record store and begin a friendship that will see them try to fulfill Ricky’s bucket list as he battles heart disease.

Hello, Heart, premiering on December 15, features YouTube star Gigi De Lana alongside Gerald Anderson. In the romantic comedy, unlucky Heart meets Saul, who hires her to pretend to be his wife to please his grandmother with dementia. Coming in 2022, Lyric and Beat is a romantic musical series starring Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Darren Espanto and AC Bonifacio. Set against the backdrop of the Philippine National Conservatory of Music, it sees the students pitted against each other for the right to represent the school in the National Music Competition.

Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer of broadcast, said: “We are thrilled to partner with iQiyi for its first Filipino local original series as we continue to tell meaningful stories and champion Filipino talent. Through their technology and our expertise in content creation and production, we strive to bring excellent Filipino content to local and international audiences and subscribers of iQiyi.”

Sherwin dela Cruz, iQiyi country manager, said: “This partnership reflects both iQiyi and ABS-CBN’s shared vision in showcasing Filipino talent and bringing it to the global stage. What the C- and K-dramas have taught us is that there is a global hunger to see more of that Asian talent, beauty and culture. And with this world-class, multi-title partnership with ABS-CBN, iQiyi is proud to present amazing productions from the Philippines to audiences across iQiyi’s 191 territories worldwide. There is a place for us in the global spotlight, and it’s time for the Philippines to shine.”