EXCLUSIVE: 18th Rose Invites You To Experience the Joys of Young Love

Picture this: You live on an island and learn that someone new, a Filipino-American to be exact, has moved into the community. You two couldn’t be any more different. But as your bickering leads to understanding, you realize that you have a lot more in common than first impressions might suggest, and even slowly fall for each other. What you read wasn’t the plot of a fanfic, but the story of 18th Rose, Netflix’s latest original Filipino movie and their first of 2026.

​Brimming with Y2K and young love charm, the Dolly Dulu-directed feature is for the lovers, specifically those who have an affinity for the teen romance flicks of the 2000s. And as lead stars Xyriel Manabat and Kyle Echarri point out, even if the movie is set two decades ago, there’s a lot audiences of today can take from 18th Rose.

Minor spoilers for 18th Rose ahead

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Love, Growth, and Second Chances in XO, Kitty Season 3

A Boy-Meets-Girl Moment

Set on the island of Romblon during the early 2000s, 18th Rose centers on student Rose (Xyriel Manabat), who works at the local computer shop, and Filipino-American Jordan (Kyle Echarri), a transfer student who just moved to the island with his mom and would rather be anywhere else than Romblon. At first, the two butt heads over their differing personalities, but as they get to know each other more, they realize that they share similarities after all. This leads them to make a deal: if Jordan helps Rose prepare for the debut of her dreams, Rose will help Jordan get in contact with his American father.

As expected, their friendship turns into something special in a classic yet charming tale of enemies-to-lovers. Rose and Jordan’s relationship is the beating heart of 18th Rose, and for Manabat and Echarri, their real-life friendship and past experiences working together made the transition to their first film as a couple smooth.

“Matagal ko na naapreciate si Xyriel as an actress kasi she’s one of the best actresses in her generation,” Echarri gushes about his co-star with MEGA Asia. “She is one of the most giving actors I’ve ever worked with. Sobrang dami kong natutunan sa kanya throughout this whole process. I always looked up to her. I was able to witness it and appreciate it firsthand.”

The feeling was mutual for Manabat, who appreciated how present her co-star was there for her in her first leading movie role. “First time ko gumawa ng ganitong movie na hindi na ako bata or minor role. First time ko rin magkaroon ng leading man. So I’m thankful para kay Kyle. I’m thankful na kaya ako i-guide ni Kyle and at the same time naging sobrang smooth sailing na lahat kasi nadiyan siya para mag-lead. Feeling niya lang talaga ako yung giving pero marami talaga akong nakuha kay Kyle,” she tells MEGA Asia.

Whatever awkwardness that may have been there for two friends to play on-screen lovers for the first time was nowhere near the set. The natural chemistry between the Gen Z stars flowed easily into Rose and Jordan. “With Rose and Jordan, nag-start din sila as friends. So, hindi naman malaki yung jump na couple agad na everything’s about romance nga. So, nadala pa rin namin yung nagbuo naming friendship, napakita pa rin namin yun, and translate pa rin namin yun through Rose and Jordan’s characters,” shares Manabat.

For Echarri, aside from the friendship viewers will see from Rose and Jordan, it’s their love that’s a particular highlight for the young actor. “When you watch Rose and Jordan, ang sarap ma-inlove. The characters just bring out so much love and passion for not just each other but for everything that they do.” The love also wasn’t just exclusive to the leading duo, but present throughout the whole set. As it was just the cast and crew in Romblon, it didn’t take long for the whole production to bond, which included lunches and dinners together. “We all felt so much love for this project,” he adds.

One of the most notable traits of Rose and Jordan is their dynamic and evolution over the course of the film’s runtime. It almost feels ripped straight from a romance trope of the local girl meets the new outsider who don’t like each other at first, but then fall in love by the end. This cat and dog relationship is one of the movie’s best parts, and it’s also where the film takes its time to develop.

It isn’t love at first sight as 18th Rose justifies why they fall for each other as viewers see them go from enemies to friends, and then lovers. They serve a purpose in each other’s lives that’s more than transactional. “Sobrang slow and steady yung bawat proseso na pinagdaanan nina Rose and Jordan,” Manabat explains. “Makikita dito kung paano unti-unti natawid ni Jordan and walls ni Rose. Makikita rin dito kung paano nabuo yung friendship na naging pundasyon ng story ni Rose at Jordan.”

18 and in Love

It’s no secret that Filipinos love a good love story. And when it comes to 18th Rose, it puts its Y2K-coded foot forward. What makes the movie stand out is how early 2000s it feels with its simple yet heartfelt love story of two young people falling in love before the time of smartphones and social media. It harkens back to the rom-coms of the era with its upbeat and optimistic outlook on life.

“There’s so much passion in the word ‘love’ throughout this whole film,” expresses Echarri. “Both characters have an extreme love for the things they really love. You will learn so many different ways of love.” Manabat seconds the thought, adding that the young love in 18th Rose hits deeper than just a meet-cute. “Dito makukuha nila na love is really about sacrifices and choices. The simplest choices and the toughest choices.”

In a time when love, dating, relationships, and even friendships can feel so complicated, 18th Rose strips it back to an era when computer shops used to be a town hotspot and Walkmans and wired headphones were a common sight. The film’s setting is more than because that’s what’s trending now, but an actual location to immerse yourself in. “Mas mapupunta ka sa mismong panahon na ’yon. Para kang nasa mundo nina Rose at Jordan. Hindi mo kailangang mag-isip ng napakaraming bagay sa lugar na iyon. Parang ito yung breath of fresh air. Dadalhin ka lang namin dun sa era na iyon, sa nostalgia na ’yon,” explains Manabat.

Adds Echarri, “Mas na-appreciate natin yung iba’t ibang mga bagay dati, when we didn’t have everything in the palm of our hands. Nakikita mo kung bakit na-appreciate talaga nila yung isa’t-isa at kung anong meron sila sa mundo ngayon.”

Without rubbing it in your face, the film reminds you to touch grass, because there’s more to life than what’s on your phone or what’s trending on social media. Rose and Jordan remind you that there’s a whole world out there worth experiencing as long as you open yourself to it. Ultimately, 18th Rose delivers a message about the beauty of young love when it’s allowed to grow. It’s equal parts nostalgic and relatable with its story of two young people who fall in love and of a young woman who just wants to have her dream debut.

The film finds its female protagonist at a pivotal moment in her life. And on that note, the movie’s lead stars want young people to know that turning 18 is the time to explore. Once the party is over, don’t let the feeling of being a young adult intimidate you. Like Rose and Jordan, you’re at the age of growth and discovery, so don’t limit yourself to it.

As Manabat puts it, “18 ka pa lang. Hindi mo kailangan maging overcautious about everything. It’s ok to be careful. Pero mahalaga na you live, and you experience life.” Adds Echarri, “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You’re really stepping out into the world with your own shoes now. Nandun yung mga magulang mo parati. They’ll always be there for you. Pero, it’s your time to make your own decisions. Dito mo talaga mararamdaman na ito ang buhay. You need to make mistakes in order to know what’s good for you and what’s wrong. So, you live life to the fullest.”  

18th Rose is now streaming on Netflix

​The interview had been edited for length and clarity.

Featured Image and Photos: Courtesy of Netflix