The unexpected on-screen pairing of former child star Mutya Orquia and Pinoy Big Brother alum Kolette Madelo in the Kapamilya thriller series “What Lies Beneath” has sparked excitement online, along with renewed calls for more women-centered romance in Philippine television.
Clips from recent episodes of What Lies Beneath quickly circulated across social media platforms after the show unveiled a new layer to Mutya’s character, Louisa. The episode revealed that Louisa was previously in a romantic relationship with one of her close friends, Liezel, portrayed by Madelo and Mary Joy Apostol, prior to Louisa’s death.
The revelation depicted the two characters in a secret relationship, with their intimate moments portrayed subtly and tenderly, sparking joint “kilig” and heartbreak among viewers and netizens alike.
Fans of the pair quickly flooded X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok with compilations of the characters’ scenes together, as well as imagined backstories of Louisa and Liezel’s past romance. Such clips have gained 100,000 to more than a million views on the platforms.
@fangirl.jl Liezel and Louisa binabaliw niyo ko hahaha grabe yung chemistry 😭 Watch #WhatLiesBeneath guys 🫶 #kolettemadelo #mutyaorquia #wlb ♬ original sound – Baby Z
@elvherjoyjoy pov: unfinished love #whatliesbeneath #liezel #louisa #mutyaorquia #kolletemadelo @mutyaorquia_03 ♬ original sound – Elvherieee ﾒ𝟶
@whotfruhohoho grabe ba ang plot twist🥹 #whatliesbeneath #wlw #fyp ♬ original sound – ric
Many online users also praised the series for its inclusivity, noting the significance of featuring a romantic pairing between women in a primetime drama aired on national television.
Following the positive reception, some viewers have begun calling for more sapphic or GL (girls’ love) narratives and greater representation of same-sex romances in Philippine media.
What Lies Beneath follows the story of four friends whose lives are shattered by the death of Louisa during their teenage years. Years later, they are reunited as long-buried secrets resurface, haunting their present and forcing them to confront the past they tried to leave behind.
The series stars Janella Salvador, Kaila Estrada, Charlie Dizon, and Sue Ramirez as the adult versions of the four friends, alongside Jake Cuenca and JM De Guzman.
