Kilig overload? Emotional rollercoaster? The power of healing and forgiveness? As a romcom maestro, director Mae Cruz-Alviar knows how to convey them all in her modern twists on classic love tropes and relatable family dynamics.

As a tribute to Direk Mae and her decades-long career in cinema, we’ve compiled five iconic scenes from her films that go beyond the mere portrayal of love and demonstrate her keen understanding of the human heart:

When Louie (Hero Angeles) starts to catch feelings for April (Sandara Park) after seeing how adorable she is as a newbie tour guide in “Bcuz of U”, their frenemy dynamic gradually turns romantic.

Watch “Bcuz of U” FULL MOVIE for FREE here:

In “Every Breath U Take”, Leo (Piolo Pascual) is a playboy charmer with a reputation that precedes him. Meeting Majoy (Angelica Panganiban), a hopeless romantic, shakes up the very core of Leo's beliefs.

Watch “Every Breath U Take” SUPERCUT for FREE here:

Being fully committed to her fake fiancée role, Rocky (Kim Chiu) pulls a pouty tantrum to get Rocco (Xian Lim) to woo him in front of his grandmother in “Bride for Rent”.

Watch “Bride for Rent” FULL MOVIE playlist for FREE here:

Kiko (Daniel Padilla) misinterprets the rebellious act of Jackie (Kathryn Bernardo) as seduction, thinking she wants to get him into bed in “Crazy Beautiful You”.

Watch “Crazy Beautiful You” FULL MOVIE playlist for FREE here:

In the official 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Rewind”, John (Dingdong Dantes) vows to change his awful ways as a husband, if only to bring his wife Mary (Marian Rivera) back to life.

Watch “Rewind” FULL TRAILER here:

“Rewind”, as of writing, is still showing in cinemas nationwide and internationally! Cheers to Direk Mae for breathing life into these moving love stories!

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