‘Shoot your shot and live without regrets. Rejection is normal. Perfectly normal... But regret is different. Regret stays because you can never really answer a what-if.’
Migs Almendras and Karina Bautista.
Photograph courtesy of migs almendras/ig
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Almost Lovers explores a familiar Gen Z dating experience — the “almost relationship” — but goes beyond the usual situationship story.
The 20-episode vertical microseries follows two people who reconnect after sharing a past, forcing them to confront the feelings and questions they were never able to address before.
Directed and written by award-winning Filipino filmmaker Rodina “Rod” Singh, the series brings an emotionally layered take to a familiar modern dating experience.
For Singh, the challenge was making the relationship feel authentic despite the series’ short format.
“I think the biggest challenge was really the medium. Almost Lovers is a vertical series, and each episode is only a few minutes long. So I went back to one thing that I feel people don’t really question: We all have a past.”
Direk Rod added, “When someone tells you, ‘We had a past,’ you don’t necessarily need every detail. What you want to know right away is: What happened? Why didn’t you work out?”
That became the foundation for the characters and their story. “They already have this baggage. They rekindle something, and now they have to navigate and confront a past that neither of them was ever really able to discuss properly in person.”
Migs and Karina’s natural chemistry
The chemistry between Migs and Karina also plays an important role in making their relationship believable. According to the director, their connection came naturally.
“I was lucky because Migs and Karina naturally had chemistry. I don’t think I did much in terms of manufacturing it. Maybe my job was more about having the eye to know that these two people would click.”
Their contrasting personalities also helped shape their onscreen dynamic.
“Karina is naturally bubbly, sweet, fun and likable. I feel like she can have chemistry with almost anybody she’s comfortable with. She’s that girl. And then Migs has this completely different vibe. He can look very serious, strict, and aloof. There’s a stiffness to him that I thought was perfect for the character.”
A confrontation that goes beyond rejection
One of the most challenging scenes for the director was the confrontation between the characters, particularly because it deals with sexual rejection and self-worth.
“Because imagine liking someone, knowing that this person likes you too, and still having to ask: Why didn’t you want me in that way?”
For the director, the scene goes beyond rejection, as it explores how it can affect the way someone sees themselves.
“It’s not just an ego bruise. You start asking: If you like me, why don’t you want to have sex with me? Am I not attractive enough? Is there something about me?”
She noted that while there may be many reasons someone doesn’t want to have sex, rejection can still leave a person overwhelmed with questions.
“But when you’re the one experiencing the rejection, you don’t necessarily think about it that rationally. It fucks you up with so many questions.”
For anyone stuck in an “almost relationship,” her advice is simple: Confront it.
“There’s no other way but to confront it. I would rather settle for a ‘no’ than end something without ever knowing the answer.”
Ultimately, she hopes audiences choose clarity over regret.
“Shoot your shot and live without regrets. Rejection is normal. Perfectly normal. You can get rejected, get hurt, understand what happened, and eventually move forward. But regret is different. Regret stays because you can never really answer a what-if.”
