When it comes to embodying the multi-hyphenate life, few women do it quite like Nadine Lustre. Award-winning actress, generational icon, environmental advocate, the internet’s president, occasional musician, entrepreneur, creative, and more, Lustre has done it and continues to do even more. But with more than a decade of experience in the industry under her belt, Lustre isn’t in the business of just saying yes to everything that comes across her desk. For her, the motivation and drive to stay at the top of her game come from a desire to engage in projects that matter personally, creatively, and societally.
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What Nadine Lustre Has Been Up to in 2026
As one of the most gifted actresses of her generation, how does Nadine Lustre do it? It starts with the right project. “Material is very, very important to me,” Lustre tells MEGA Asia. She’s particularly attracted to out-of-the-box ideas that speak to her on a creative level. Not one to box herself into certain genres, Luste is open to all kinds of narratives, whether that be the horror-thrillers she did in the early 2020s or dramatic comedies like Call Me Mother, so long as the material offers a story and characters she likes.
“When directors pitch projects, I really just have to make sure that I like the concept.” That, for Lustre, also means working with the right people and a script that’s up to her standards. “It’s also the people I will be working with and the script; I have to make sure that I read the script first before I say yes to a project.”
At this stage of her career, Lustre approaches her craft intentionally, knowing that projects do more than just add another credit to her resume. Such is the case with her new series, Love, Siargao. Her first project in the rom-com genre in years, the show sees Lustre team up with Alden Richards for the first time as they play Jao and Kara, respectively, two people from different backgrounds who fall in love and navigate the ins and outs of their relationship on the island.
Given how Siargao holds a special place in Lustre’s heart, it didn’t take much for her to say yes to the Viu original. “The purpose of Love, Siargao is to showcase the beauty of the island and its people. So I’m really hoping that once people watch the series, they fall in love with the real Siargao and not what they see on social media,” she shares.
As Siargao increases in popularity as a tourist destination for local and international travelers, the island has also experienced the downsides of mass tourism. Recent headlines have featured unruly foreigners disrespecting locals and, in some cases, destroying local property on the island, something Nadine herself has witnessed when she once called out a foreign tourist for berating a waitress. Other issues, such as Siargao’s reputation turning from a welcoming place for respectful visitors who want to be surrounded by nature into a party island for a weekend getaway, have been on Lustre’s mind lately.
But she hopes Love, Siargao helps spark the discourse on seeing and treating the island better. “Honestly, I’m so sad with everything that I’m seeing. I feel like what I see on social media is not what the island is all about. It’s very, very different from what the community or the locals say it is. I’m just really hoping in some ways it changes how people see the island.”
With purpose and passion, Lustre’s eventful year, which highlights how she’s expanded her creative output beyond acting, continues. From TV to her business ventures, she’s been making moves, and that’s just from the first half of 2026. “I’m proud of being able to collaborate with a lot of people as early as now,” Lustre comments. “It’s only half the year, and there’s so much more time to be able to work with other people.”
As for what else is in store for the rest of 2026? “I’m looking forward to putting up more personal projects,” she teases. Whatever that may be, whether it’s a new movie, business, or collaboration, Lustre is going to keep fans waiting in anticipation for her next move.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Feature Image and Photos: VIU (via Website and YouTube)
Frequently Asked Questions
Love, Siargao is a Viu original rom-com starring Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards as Jao and Kara, two people from different backgrounds who fall in love while navigating a relationship on the island of Siargao. It marks Lustre’s first rom-com role in years.
Lustre says Siargao holds personal significance for her, and she wanted the series to showcase the island’s authentic beauty and community rather than its social media portrayal. She hopes viewers come away appreciating the real Siargao beyond curated online content.
Lustre has spoken about the effects of mass tourism on Siargao, including incidents of disrespectful behavior toward locals and the island’s shift from a nature-focused destination toward a party-oriented one. She previously called out a foreign tourist for berating a local waitress.
Lustre prioritizes material and concept over genre, stating she reads the script before committing to any project. She says the story, characters, and the people she’ll work with matter more to her than sticking to a particular type of role.
Yes, Love, Siargao marks the first on-screen pairing between Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards, who play the lead couple Jao and Kara in the Viu original rom-com series set on the island of Siargao.
