Netflix’s 18th Rose Cast And Characters Guide

In the guise of being a simple teenage romance movie, director Dolly Dulu’s latest Filipino feature, “18th Rose”, touches upon some of the crucial motifs of the nation’s ‘Mestizo’ – assimilated cultural heritage, obsession with Western ideals, and themes of complex familial connections. Set in the early 00s in Romblon Island, Philippines, the narrative follows two adolescent teens, Rose and Jordan, both high schoolers, who fall in love while trying to fulfil their dreams. Being a derivative yet well-made character-driven drama, the performance by the ensemble cast is quite obviously the USP of “18th Rose”. While there is a certain cheesiness in the narrative and characterization, which might feel off-putting to some viewers, it is deliberately done to intensify the emotional backlash during the climactic moments of the movie. 

Renowned Filipino actor Xyriel Manabat has been part of successful silver screen ventures like  “Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na To!”, “Enteng Ng Ina Mo”, “A Mother’s Story”, and “Amorosa”. Her popularity on the small screen was propelled by her performance in “High Street”, “Senior High”, “100 Days to Heaven”, “Dirty Linen”, etc. In “18th Rose,” she plays the lead role of Rose,  a lively teenage girl from the small island of Romblom who dreams of having a grand Debut – a coming of age ceremony. Those who don’t know what Debut is in Filipino culture should know that it can be identified as a combination of the Hispanic Quinceañera and the Western debutante ball. Through the centuries, the custom has been assimilated into mainstream Filipino tradition. Belonging to a humble background, the only access to the outside world Rose had while growing up was through the internet. Learning about the glitz and glam associated with Debut, a young Rose was fascinated by it and did everything she could to make her dream a reality. This is why she helps others to achieve their dreams, as seen in the way she connects with Jordan and arranges Berta’s romantic getaway with Ewan. An optimistic, cheerful girl, Rose is unique in the way she never judges anyone, despite not being a conformist. Rose’s approach to help Jordan reunite with his father might feel silly, but it is aimed to connect with the motif of wish fulfilment which the narrative focuses upon. Rose used to believe in the ideal of perfection, especially when it came to her Debut. After getting diagnosed with brain cancer, Rose has the revelation before preparing for her debut that instead of making herself appear perfect in front of others, she needs to appreciate herself for who she really is. Xyriel Manabat brilliantly captured Rose’s innocence, jubilant spirit, and her performance did justice to the emotionally heavy moments without making them feel too sentimental. 

Filipino singer/actor Kyle Echarri started his acting journey in theatre, before finding success in the small screen with “Kadenang Ginto”, “Pamilya Sagrado”, “Lyric and Beat”, “Beach Bros”, etc. Some of his notable movie appearances include “Seven Sundays”, “Silly Red Shoes”, and “The Ride”. In “18th Rose”, Kyle plays the role of Jordan, a transfer student who arrives at the island of Romblom and desperately wishes to reunite with his American father, who abandoned his family nearly a decade ago. Historically, for a number of reasons like economic stability, better living conditions, and better future prospects, America has been a prime choice for Filipinos to settle in, and in that context, Kyle’s desire to meet his father and stay with him in the States symbolizes a quintessentially Filipino desire. However, Jordan neglects his Filipino heritage; he would rather crave his absent Filipino father’s validation instead of valuing the struggle of his mother, who has been raising him all on her own. In that sense, it can be said that Jordan was quite self-centered, at least initially, when he remained pitifully expectant for his old man to communicate with him. It’s not that Jordan faced rejection from his community due to his identity as half American; if anything, he was celebrated for it. Jordan starts to connect with the cultures and heritage of his land after getting to know Rose, and is able to get out of his bubble to finally appreciate what he has been neglecting all along. Jordan’s love for Rose allows him to grow into a better person and inspires him to fight to let Rose’s dream live through his success. By the end of the movie, Jordan goes to meet his father, not just because of his desperate need for validation or to mend the lost connection, but due to the fact that he had promised his late lover that he would not give up on his dream. 

Aside from the main characters, the supporting cast of “18th Rose” did a good job with the roles they were given. Cai Cortez played the role of Rose’s friend, Berta, who suffers from body dysmorphia issues and falls for an elderly American man named Ewan. Nikki Valdez plays the role of Tess, Jordan’s mother. Cris Villanueva plays the role of Rene, Rose’s doting father. Yayo Aguila plays the role of Mercy, Rose’s mother. Steven Cadd plays the role of Ewan, Berta’s lover.