A summer romance to remember

MANILA, Philippines - Beginning today, the bittersweet drama of friendship, love, loss and sacrifice will be explored in Dear Friend’s special Valentine’s offering for all romantics. Feel the delights and frustrations of a summer romance in Almost A Love Story Sundays after S.O.P. Fully Charged.

Almost A Love Story is about two individuals trying to beat the odds of a forbidden romance and prove the saying that true love knows no boundaries, least of all age.

Playing lead roles are TJ Trinidad as Rommel and Rhian Ramos as Hannah. This is TJ and Rhian’s fourth project together after the movie The Promise and Zorro and Stairway to Heaven.

The love story of Hannah and Rommel begins on the onset of summer. Hannah, who is a fun-loving and go-getter girl, hits it off easily with the happy-go-lucky personality of Rommel. They instantly establish a genuine friendship and soon she knows that she’s in love with him and he reciprocates her feelings despite their eight-year-age gap. Hannah is 15 while Rommel is 24.

But their almost happy romance is not meant to last for it was abruptly ended by their respective parents. With a heavy heart, Rommel is left with no choice but to stay away from Hannah, so she in turn, can grow on her own.

Despite their separation, Rommel promises Hannah that he will visit her every year on her birthday and she will open the lights as a sign of her relentless waiting for his return.  

On Rommel’s absence, Hannah meets Luigi (Paolo Avelino) and they start a relationship that lasts until they graduate from college. Luigi proposes marriage to Hannah that she gladly accepts.

After six years, Hannah at 21 is at the top of her game and works as a bank manager. Just when everything seems perfectly right, a twist of fate brings Rommel back into her life. Hannah starts to fall for him all over again.

Will Hannah give up her engagement with Luigi and give her relationship with Rommel another chance? How will their respective parents and partners accept their love affair? Can they weather the various storms that come their way? Will Hannah and Rommel’s romance be for keeps?

Dear Friend’s new episode is led by director Topel Lee together with Denoy Navarro-Punio as head writer and Keiko Aquino-Ilagan and Elmer Gatchalian as episode writers. Rounding up the cast are Arci Muñoz as Lyza, Rommel’s lawyer ex-girlfriend; Paolo as Luigi, Hannah’s loyal fiancé; Stef Presscott as Noemi, Hannah’s frank cousin; Cris Villanueva as Pete and Joanne Quintas as Julie, Hannah’s parents; Jimwel Stevens as Tony and Melissa Mendez as Beth, Rommel’s parents; Jace Flores as Ritchie, Noemi’s boyfriend; and Dex Quindoza as Randolph, Rommel’s younger brother.