The Rain in España (2023): When Love Gets Caught in the Storm #433

Right when I was about to finish my 4th semester, I stumbled upon this show called Ang Mutya ng Section E (2025)—and boy, I had to master some serious self-restraint not to binge-watch the whole thing before finals. It was the very first Filipino drama I watched. And as if fate was nudging me, while scrolling through clips of Section E, another show caught my attention: The Rain in España (2023). Directed by the same person and produced by Studio Viva.

Now, usually, I don’t pay attention to directors or production houses. For me, the most important things are simple—are the actors good, and does the plot look entertaining enough to give me a good time? If yes, then I’m in. The Rain in España seemed like a heartwarming love story, and if you know me at all, you know a feel-good romance is exactly what I live for.

This show was second on my watchlist after Ang Mutya ng Section E (2025). Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it anywhere with English subtitles, so I reluctantly moved on to other shows. Four months later, when I wasn’t even looking, I finally found it—and told myself: “Probably, now is the right time!”

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The Cast

1. Heaven Peralejo as Luna
Luna is the ambitious architecture student who knows exactly what she wants, yet struggles when love collides with responsibility. Heaven, who many might recognize from Pinoy Big Brother and films like Mama’s Girl (2018), plays her with just the right balance of vulnerability and strength. Her chemistry with Marco is the backbone of this show.

2. Marco Gallo as Kalix
Ah, Kalix. The law student every girl on campus seems to notice, but who carries enough emotional baggage to weigh down an airplane. Marco, who first caught the spotlight in Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7, has been making his way through TV shows and films. Here, he’s brooding, charming, and frustratingly lovable—the kind of character you want to hug one second and scold the next.

Personally, this was my first time watching both Heaven and Marco on screen, as well as most of the cast—except for two or three familiar supporting faces I’d already seen in Ang Mutya ng Section E.

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The Plot

The Rain in España unfolds across 10 episodes.

We first meet Luna Valeria, now a successful architect working in her father’s construction firm, and Kalix Martinez, a promising attorney newly hired by the same company. The twist? As soon as Luna learns Kalix is joining, she’s furious. Why? Well… it all goes back to their past.

Flashback to 10 years ago: Luna was still an architecture student, and Kalix a law school heartthrob. They would often cross paths on campus, sharing mutual friends. Luna would steal glances at his handsome face, and though Kalix appeared indifferent, he had eyes only for her. After a fateful house party, they exchanged numbers. Luna poured her heart into cutesy flirting, Kalix was instantly smitten, and soon enough, they were that couple everyone envied.

But, of course, the storm clouds rolled in.

Kalix’s ex, Amethyst—also a law school friend—lingered in the picture. Beautiful and conveniently approved by Kalix’s mother, she made Luna uneasy. Having already suffered from infidelity in a past relationship, Luna couldn’t help but feel threatened.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck closer to home: Luna’s cousin was hospitalized after being abused by her influential boyfriend. Wracked with guilt for not noticing the signs earlier, Luna sacrificed her own exams to finish her cousin’s assignments, with Kalix as her unwavering support system. But then, one day, Luna stumbled across messages and a video from Amethyst on Kalix’s phone. In a single moment, her trust shattered. Without giving him a chance to explain, she walked away.

Years later, Luna still carried that heartbreak—made worse when Kalix took part in representing her cousin’s abuser in court, as per the rumors.

In the present, Kalix is now a respected attorney, while Luna is thriving in her career. Their paths collide again when Kalix approaches her firm for a house redesign. Against her better judgment, Luna agrees—and the floodgates of memory open. Their first kiss, meeting each other’s parents, weekends spent in that very house… all the love and all the pain come rushing back.

But here’s the twist: Kalix never cheated. The messages were part of Amethyst’s manipulations. In fact, Kalix had refused to represent the abuser and even forced Amethyst to take his place, sabotaging the case as penance for the damage she caused. Years later, Amethyst is shot in a hit arranged by the politician, after the near-death experience Amethyst finally comes clean about the past misunderstanding and Luna forgives her.

Luna and Kalix slowly find their way back to each other. This time, Kalix defends her against his mother’s disapproval. Eventually, both families accept their love. In a beautiful full-circle moment, Kalix proposes to Luna the same night she reveals she’s pregnant.

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My Fangirl Commentary

1. Honestly, The Rain in España sometimes feels like a montage of ridiculously attractive people strutting around—whether on beaches, in bars, or across campus. But hey, with Heaven and Marco’s sizzling chemistry, I wasn’t exactly complaining. (Fun fact: they’re an offscreen couple too!)
   
   Every time I see Marco, though, I can’t un-hear his viral line: “I am the mosquito.” I once saw a clip where Heaven showed red marks on her skin, and Marco chimed in casually from the background: “I am the mosquito.” That moment is living rent-free in my head.
   
2. Another thing I noticed: while the series is in Filipino, about 95% of Kalix’s lines are in English. Even the casual campus conversations are a Tagalog/English mix—honestly, very close to how my friends and I speak. In contrast, K-dramas stick almost entirely to Korean, regardless of class or setting. This reminded me of how, in India, English naturally becomes our medium—whether in college, or the workplace, especially when interacting with people from other states. It made me reflect on how language seeps into identity.
   
3. I also loved the motto of Luna’s college girl squad. They were this group of high-achieving, good-looking women determined to enjoy romance and fun without compromising their grades. Finally—a realistic portrayal! Unlike the usual trope of characters acing exams while spending the year skipping classes and chasing love, this show acknowledged that balance.
   
   Even after the 10-year leap, we see them thriving in careers, marriages, and families—or happily single. Just like real life.
   
4. Special mention to Sevi—Luna’s best friend who secretly loved her. Sweet, charming, and endlessly supportive, he was the kind of friend everyone needs. Even years later, working as an engineer in Luna’s firm, he helped her and Kalix reconcile, never once letting bitterness creep in. I adored him.

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Final Verdict

All in all, The Rain in España was a storm I didn’t mind getting caught in. It had its share of clichés, but the emotions felt genuine, and the characters—especially Luna and Kalix—pulled me in.

I’d give it a solid 8/10. Entertaining, heartfelt, and beautifully messy. I’m definitely looking forward to watching more of Heaven and Marco together!

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That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by! ❤️