The DC Universe just had a major crossover with one of the Philippines’ most beloved pop culture staples: the love team.
On June 20, during the Manila stop of the global promotional tour for the upcoming film Superman, director James Gunn, DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran, and stars David Corenswet (Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) got an unexpected introduction to the uniquely Filipino phenomenon of on-screen romantic duos—much to their delight and bewilderment.
The press conference, held in Taguig, was meant to delve into the movie’s themes, especially the budding connection between Superman and Lois Lane. But it took an entertaining turn when host Justin Quirino compared the iconic superhero couple to a Filipino love team.
“What’s a love team?” Gunn asked, visibly intrigued. What followed was a brief but eye-opening primer: in Philippine entertainment, love teams pair actors together across multiple films and series—sometimes spanning decades. The audience erupted in laughter as Quirino added, “And fans ship them for life.”
Corenswet and Brosnahan couldn’t help but laugh. In a moment of playful awkwardness, Corenswet took a few comedic beats before finally clasping Brosnahan’s hand, drawing loud cheers and laughter from the room. Gunn, taking it all in, joked that he might just start testing their love team chemistry himself.
“I think we’ve got our first DC love team right here,” Gunn teased, motioning to his lead stars. “Maybe I’ll bring them back for a proper love team launch.”
The interaction was both endearing and culturally revealing, highlighting how local fan culture in the Philippines can charm even the most seasoned Hollywood creatives. Gunn, a veteran storyteller with hits like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad under his belt, seemed genuinely fascinated by the idea of pairing actors romantically as a long-term brand.
While the crowd basked in the unexpected culture clash, Gunn praised Filipino fans for their warmth and enthusiasm. “We couldn’t have picked a better place to kick off the tour,” he said.
The Philippines, a country known for its passionate fandoms, has produced some of the most iconic love teams in the region—from Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla to Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. Whether Superman and Lois Lane could be the next honorary love team is still up in the air—but Manila might already be shipping them.
Superman flies into Philippine theaters on July 9. Let’s see if the newest DC couple will win hearts the same way love teams have ruled Filipino screens for generations.