By Aira Miranda

If you're a fan of romantic dramas and love triangles, then *How to Spot a Red Flag*, a new Viu Original series, is about to capture your heart. Starring the rising stars Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan, and Jameson Blake, this series dives into the world of catfishing, highlighting the modern-day struggles of online dating with a captivating storyline and memorable characters.

The series follows Cha Fontanilla (Belle Mariano) as she embarks on a journey to find love through an online forum. She connects with Matt Flores (Donny Pangilinan), a charming and intelligent guy, only to later discover that the person behind the profile is actually Matt's friend, JR Valdez (Jameson Blake). In an unexpected twist, instead of exposing JR’s deception, Matt agrees to help him win Cha's heart, leading to a love triangle that is as complicated as it is intriguing.

For Garlic Garcia, the Head of Content Partnerships at Viu Philippines, the show is more than just a romantic tale; it’s an exploration of the online dating world and the red flags that come with it. "More than anything else for every single person dating, it’s basically like an education on what to do and what not to do, who to date, how to spot a red flag, of course, how to find green flags, how to nurture green flags, how to become a green flag," she shared. "What I love about it is that if you watch it, for the older generation, we have captions that explain what is ‘talking stage,’ ‘what is ghosting,’ so it’s really orienting even the older generation on what the dating life is like right now."

This series delivers important lessons about what to avoid and how to spot toxic relationships. But it's not all serious—what makes this show truly special is its ability to balance humor, heartache, and chemistry. The cast dynamic was another highlight, which Ms. Garcia described as "fun!" She added, "It’s fun on set, off set, it’s just fun. It’s a fun show, shooting it in La Union, by the beach. On rest days, people surf, Mylene (Dizon) drags us and kidnaps us on dinner breaks to take us to great places." The fun-filled atmosphere was palpable and only enhanced the appeal of the show.

The filming process was not without its challenges, as the Viu team shared. An unexpected storm hit during a crucial lock-in shoot, but rather than derailing production, it added an unexpected layer of depth to the scene. The intense weather perfectly complemented a pivotal confrontation between Jameson’s and Belle’s characters, with the raging ocean reflecting the inner turmoil of Belle’s character. The natural element seamlessly became part of the narrative.

The series promises a unique viewing experience, blending the complexities of modern-day relationships with a lighthearted tone. The show is also an excellent way to educate viewers on the ever-changing world of dating. "What I love about it is that it’s not only relevant to the younger generation, but we’re also making it easier for everyone to understand these terms and dynamics."

*How to Spot a Red Flag* is a 25-episode series, with each episode running for about 30 minutes. Premiering on November 25, 2024, it promises to be an addictive ride filled with suspense, drama, and plenty of kilig moments.

To keep the excitement going, Viu is also releasing a behind-the-scenes playlist titled *The Red Flag Diaries*. The content team behind Viu was able to capture so many unforgettable moments during production that it was impossible to keep them to themselves. This behind-the-scenes series offers fans a deeper look at the making of the show, complete with candid moments that further highlight the fun dynamic of the cast.