Since its development in 2006, reading website Wattpad has served as a community for readers and writers alike where original stories can be published and read with ease. The popularity of books on the platform led to numerous film adaptations, with fans coming from far places just to look forward to seeing their favorite stories brought to life by their dream cast.
With actors Marlo Mortel and Janella Salvador recently rekindling the calls for an adaptation of the hit Wattpad book series I Love You Since 1892 by Binibining Mia, one cannot help but recall other popular stories and their iconic film versions, featuring some of the biggest love teams in the country.
Here are some hit Wattpad stories by local authors which had their own notable adaptations on the big screen.
She’s Dating the Gangster
Starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla and directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, She’s Dating the Gangster was written by Bianca Bernardino and was one of the first local Wattpad books that caught the attention of the public. It follows the unlikely love story of Athena Dizon (Bernardo) and Kenji de los Reyes (Padilla) who end up falling for each other as they pretend to be lovers in order to make Kenji’s ex jealous.
Diary ng Panget
Being the first film adaptation of a book published on the platform, Diary ng Panget was written by Denny R and revolves around the story of Eya Rodriguez, a girl who calls herself ugly, who ends up being the personal maid of handsome and rich heartthrob Cross Sandford. In the film adaptation by director Andoy Ranay, actors Nadine Lustre and James Reid play Eya and Cross, respectively.
Just the Way You Are
Originally titled “The Bet,” Just The Way You Are follows the story of popular teen Drake Sison, played by Enrique Gil who tries to make the nerdy transferee Sophia Taylor, played by Liza Soberano, fall in love with him as part of a bet with his best friend Andrei. The book was written by Maan-Dimaculangan-Fampulmeand Ceres Helga Barrios while the film was directed by Theodore Boborol.
This Time
Nadine Lustre and James Reid’s This Time was directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval and was loosely based on the book that was written by Aly Almario titled That One Summer. It is about two childhood friends Ava Buhay and Coby Martinez who eventually gained romantic feelings for each but were not clear about where they stand in each other’s life.
Ex with Benefits
Based on the romantic erotic drama story by Ruth Mendoza about two exes who end up meeting again after 10 years, Ex with Benefits stars Derek Ramsay, Coleen Garcia, and Meg Imperial as Dr. Adam Jacob Castrances, MD, Arkisha Aragon, and Scarlet, respectively. It was directed by Gino M. Santos with the screenplay written by Keiko Aquino and Jeff Stelton.
