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This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! (2012) Plot Summary & Timeline

This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! (2012) movie poster

This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! is a 2012 comedy and romance film directed by Wenn V. Deramas, running 1 hour 45 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 634 words (about 3 minutes to read) and covers 15 key events in order, 5 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!.

to read the plot summary
3 min
key events in the timeline
15
characters profiled
5
themes explained
3
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This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! (2012) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m
Director
Wenn V. Deramas
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Original language
Tagalog
No spoilers

What Is This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! About?

The premise of This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! in 287 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a vibrant urban backdrop where love and loyalty intertwine with a dash of mischief, the film unfolds like a kaleidoscope of emotions. The atmosphere teeters between heartfelt romance and playful scheming, creating a tone that feels both intimate and whimsically unpredictable. Inside this world, everyday spaces—a bustling bank, a cozy parlor, family homes—become stages for the characters to navigate the delicate dance of desire and devotion.

At the heart of the story is Mike, a charismatic but conflicted individual whose longing to preserve a cherished connection drives him into uncharted territory. Opposite him stands Lester, his passionate partner whose own yearning to remain close fuels a series of daring attempts to win back affection. Adding another layer of complexity is Gemma, a diligent bank accountant whose entrance into their lives sparks both intrigue and uncertainty. Around them swirl a circle of friends and colleagues, each bringing their own flair and perspective to the tangled relationships.

The central premise revolves around a love triangle that blurs the lines between protector and pursuer. As emotions swell, each character grapples with the question of how far they are willing to go to keep love from slipping away, setting the stage for a series of inventive, heartfelt maneuvers. The narrative hints at hidden motives, secret plans, and the ever-present possibility that the very act of pursuit might reshape the bonds they hold dear.

Through a blend of witty dialogue, tender moments, and a backdrop that oscillates between the ordinary and the extraordinary, the film invites viewers to wonder how love can both complicate and illuminate the paths we choose. The story promises a journey where hearts are tested, friendships are stretched, and the true nature of devotion remains delightfully elusive.

Full plot

What Happens in This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!?

The complete story of This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!, from the first scene to the last, in 634 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

After three years of a happy relationship, Mike ends his relationship with Lester. The breakup opens a painful discovery: Lester soon learns that Mike has been cheating on him for the past year with Gemma. This revelation sets off a calculated plan from Lester, who decides to pretend to be a straight man in order to win Mike back. He enlists his four gay friends who work with him at the parlor—Babushka, Ricky, Fanny and Bambi—to stage a dramatic robbery at Gemma’s workplace after her shift. Lester then steps in as a supposedly chivalrous savior, rescuing Gemma from the “robbers” and presenting himself as her knight in shining armor.

The staged drama leads Gemma to invite Lester into her life, bringing him home to meet her parents after a dinner with the family. Yet the night reveals a harsher reality: on the way home, Lester sees the bruises on his friends’ faces from the fake “robbery,” a sign that the deception is already leaving marks on all involved. When Gemma and Mike’s circle attempts to retaliate against him, Lester quickly backs down, offering a tentative apology and a reluctant return to the relationship. Gemma calls Mike that same evening, suggesting that he should reconnect with Lester for a lesson in martial arts—an idea Mike refuses, fearing the entanglement more than the truth.

As the couple’s financial struggles mount—Mike’s family grappling with poverty and the looming cost of their wedding—Mike proposes to Gemma, a moment that triggers Lester’s more ambitious scheme. Lester visits them and deposits a staggering P5,000,000 into their bank account, a move intended to secure Gemma’s hand and cement his control over the situation. Gemma and Mike reconnect, though Mike remains unaware that Lester is the man who has become Gemma’s suitor. Seeing the flowers Lester gives Gemma intensifies Mike’s jealousy, and a loud argument follows as their tangled lives collide.

Gemma and Lester begin dating, a fact that strains Gemma’s religious and familial loyalties. Gemma’s mother probes whether Gemma truly loves Lester, and Gemma herself admits she is unsure how to respond. The tension climbs when Lester calls Gemma to invite her to a much-anticipated concert, a request that further thickens the plot’s emotional fog. Mike soon learns that Lester is the very suitor Gemma has been meeting, a revelation that fractures the fragile trust between them.

After a friendly basketball game, Lester falls ill and is cared for by Gemma, who reveals that she sees goodness in him and wants to stop the manipulation. Mike realizes something is wrong and, with Gemma, travels to Lester’s home. There, Gemma discovers a room filled with photographs of Mike—an invasion that leaves her angry and disappointed. The truth finally breaks loose: the supposed romance was a carefully orchestrated deception, and Gemma ends the engagement, breaking off the wedding.

In the aftermath, Mike apologizes to Lester for his role in the manipulation, and Gemma also forgives Mike and Lester in time. The couple ultimately marries, exchanging vows on a beach and beginning a new life together with hope and happiness. Lester, meanwhile, discovers a potential true love in a man who once saved him from a bridge. The twist comes when that man turns out to be the priest who will eventually officiate Gemma and Mike’s wedding, an encounter that leaves Lester shaken and deeply unsettled.

The film closes on a note that blends romance, regret, and forgiveness, exploring how desire, deception, and culture shape intimate choices. It paints a nuanced portrait of loyalty and heartbreak, showing that even well-intended schemes can unravel in the face of real emotions, while true connection can emerge from the most unexpected places. Through its ensemble of characters and a web of relationships, the story invites reflection on honesty, responsibility, and the messy but human path toward belonging.

Timeline

This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

15 key events in the order they happen, from “Breakup after three years” to “Wedding and a twist”. 13 events name a place, across 10 locations.

  1. 1

    Breakup after three years

    After three years of a happy relationship, Mike ends his relationship with Lester when he discovers he has been cheating on him with Gemma for the past year. The breakup exposes a painful rift and seeds the plan that will unfold next. This moment sets the entire sequence of deception in motion.

    When:Three years into the relationship

  2. 2

    Lester stages a dramatic robbery

    Lester enlists his four gay friends from the parlor—Babushka, Ricky, Fanny, and Bambi—to stage a dramatic robbery at Gemma’s workplace after her shift. The aim is to cast himself as a chivalrous savior who can win Mike back. The performance is designed to manipulate perceptions and trigger a rescue narrative.

    When:Evening after Gemma's shift Where:Gemma's workplace

  3. 3

    Lester saves Gemma

    Lester steps in as a knight in shining armor, rescuing Gemma during the staged robbery and presenting himself as her protector. He leverages this moment to position himself as the hero who can rescue her from danger. Gemma begins to see him in a kinder, more appealing light.

    When:Immediately after the staged robbery Where:Gemma's workplace

  4. 4

    Dinner with Gemma's family

    Gemma invites Lester into her life and brings him home to meet her parents after a dinner with the family. The meeting tests loyalties and exposes the tension between genuine feeling and the deception at the core of Lester's plan. The family dynamics add pressure and scrutiny to the budding arrangement.

    When:Following the dinner Where:Gemma's home

  5. 5

    Bruised evidence on the way home

    On the way home, Gemma and her companions notice the bruises on the faces of Lester's friends, a stark sign that the deception is taking a toll on everyone involved. The marks become a tangible reminder of the moral costs behind the ruse. The sense of unease begins to override the initial excitement.

    When:That night Where:City streets / on the way home

  6. 6

    Retaliation attempt and apology

    Gemma and Mike’s circle attempt to retaliate against Lester, but he steps back, offering a reluctant apology and returning to the relationship. The confrontation fractures trust and foreshadows the unraveling of the illusion. The boundaries between truth and manipulation start to blur.

    When:Shortly after the incident

  7. 7

    Martial arts offer and Mike's refusal

    Gemma calls Mike the same evening, proposing a lesson in martial arts as a way to reconnect. Mike declines, fearing the entanglement more than the truth. This exchange deepens the emotional complexity and pushes the pair toward further upheaval.

    When:That same evening Where:Phone call / home

  8. 8

    Financial pressure and a proposal

    As Mike's family battles poverty and the wedding costs loom, Mike proposes to Gemma in hopes of stabilizing their future. Lester's influence grows as he orchestrates moves to secure Gemma’s hand. The tension between love, money, and manipulation intensifies.

    When:Lead-up to proposal Where:Mike's family home

  9. 9

    Lester deposits 5,000,000

    Lester deposits an astonishing 5,000,000 into Gemma and Mike's bank account, intending to secure Gemma’s hand and cement his control over the situation. The amount signals the depth of his investment and the power he wants to wield. Gemma remains unaware of his true identity and motives.

    When:Before engagement Where:Bank

  10. 10

    Reconnection and jealousy

    Gemma and Mike reconnect, but Mike’s jealousy spikes when he sees the flowers Lester gives Gemma. A loud argument erupts as the tangled relationships threaten to spill into the open. The manipulation continues to drive a wedge between all involved.

    When:Shortly after the deposit Where:Gemma's home

Show the other 5 events of This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!
  1. 11

    Dating and family doubts

    Gemma and Lester begin dating, which strains Gemma’s religious and family loyalties. Gemma’s mother questions whether Gemma truly loves Lester, and Gemma herself admits uncertainty about her feelings. The personal conflicts deepen the emotional stakes of the deception.

    When:After reconnection Where:Gemma's home / family home

  2. 12

    Concert invitation and truth begins

    Lester invites Gemma to a long-awaited concert, a move that pushes Mike to confront the possibility that Lester is Gemma’s romantic interest. The revelation marks a turning point as loyalties blur and the truth edges closer to exposure. The emotional fog thickens as the deception nears its breaking point.

    When:When the invitation is issued Where:Concert venue

  3. 13

    Illness and revelation

    After a friendly basketball game, Lester falls ill and is cared for by Gemma, who begins to see goodness in him and wants to stop the manipulation. Mike senses something is wrong but remains entangled in the web. The moment shifts from calculation to genuine concern.

    When:After the game Where:Lester's home

  4. 14

    Discovery of the photos and breaking point

    The trio travels to Lester's home, where Gemma discovers a room filled with photographs of Mike—an invasion that shatters trust. The truth of the orchestrated romance comes fully to light, and Gemma ends the engagement. Mike and Lester face the consequences of their scheme as forgiveness remains uncertain.

    When:Following the trip Where:Lester's home

  5. 15

    Wedding and a twist

    Despite the fallout, Mike and Gemma marry on a beach, seeking a new beginning and forgiveness. The ceremony carries a shocking twist: the priest who will officiate is revealed to be the man who once saved Lester from a bridge, unsettling Lester. The ending hints at a rough road ahead but carries a glimmer of hope as true connections begin to emerge.

    When:Wedding day Where:Beach

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!?

5 characters, among them Lester (Vice Ganda), Mike (Luis Manzano) and Gemma (Toni Gonzaga): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • L(

    Lester (Vice Ganda)

    Played by Vice Ganda

    A charismatic planner who stages a fake romance to win back his ex, Mike. He is clever and resourceful but his manipulation creates collateral damage for his circle. As the deception escalates, he confronts the consequences of his choices and the possibility of true feeling beyond strategy.

    • 🎭 Manipulation
    • 💘 Romance
    • 🧭 Identity
  • M(

    Mike (Luis Manzano)

    Played by Luis Manzano

    A hopeful young man from a financially strained family who wants stability and love. He is torn between his long-standing relationship with Gemma and the realities of money, wedding pressures, and loyalty. He grows through the deception, ultimately choosing honesty and commitment.

    • 💼 Ambition
    • 💕 Love
    • 💔 Jealousy
  • G(

    Gemma (Toni Gonzaga)

    Played by Toni Gonzaga

    Caught between love and family duty, Gemma navigates a web of romantic entanglements and social expectations. She questions where her loyalties lie and ultimately makes a decision about trust, family, and her future with Mike. Her forgiveness becomes a turning point for the trio.

    • 💖 Romance
    • 🏠 Family
    • 🗝️ Trust
  • R(

    Ricky (Ricky Rivero)

    Played by Ricky Rivero

    One of Lester's four friends who helps execute the staged robbery, his role highlights the costs of loyalty and the vulnerability of those drawn into schemes. He bears visible signs of the deception and grapples with its consequences.

    • 🎭 Friendship
    • 🤝 Loyalty
    • 🧩 Deception
  • MD

    Mike's Dad (Edgar Mortiz)

    Played by Edgar Mortiz

    A paternal figure within Mike's poverty-stricken family, whose concerns about funds and a wedding weigh on the couple. He represents the social pressures and responsibilities faced by working-class families.

    • 👪 Family
    • 💸 Poverty
    • 🧭 Responsibility
Setting

Where and When Is This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! Set?

This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! is set in Parlor, Gemma's home, Gemma's workplace and the beach (Contemporary). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Contemporary

The story unfolds in modern times with current fashion, technology, and social dynamics. It depicts present-day family finances, gender roles, and cultural expectations surrounding marriage in a contemporary Philippines setting.

Where

Parlor, Gemma's home, Gemma's workplace, the beach

The action centers around a bustling urban neighborhood where a salon parlor serves as the workplace for Lester's circle. Gemma's family home becomes the site of probing conversations about love, loyalty, and class. Gemma's workplace is the stage for a dramatic ruse that tests relationships, while the beach serves as the setting for the couple's wedding, signaling a hopeful end.

  • 🎭 Urban setting
  • 🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ romance
  • 🏖️ Beach wedding
Themes

What Are the Themes of This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love & Deception, Forgiveness & Renewal and Identity & Loyalty.

  1. 01

    Love & Deception

    A planned deception strains trust as Lester fabricates a straight romance to win back his ex, Mike. The ruse exposes the fragility of relationships built on manipulation and perception. The theme tracks consequences for all involved and questions what true love really requires.

  2. 02

    Forgiveness & Renewal

    Despite betrayal, Gemma and Mike find a path to forgiveness that allows their relationship to heal. The narrative suggests that truth and reconciliation can coexist with loyalty to family and friends. The ending offers a sense of renewal through a shared commitment.

  3. 03

    Identity & Loyalty

    Lester's act of pretending to be someone he's not tests his self-image and the loyalties of his friends. The story explores how authenticity collides with peer expectations and societal norms. It raises questions about whether loyalty to friends outweighs honesty in love.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!?

Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Bittersweet
Pacing
Steady
Story
Moderate
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Bittersweet

A dramatic and emotionally tangled romantic comedy that explores the messy consequences of heartbreak and manipulation, balancing tense deception with moments of genuine forgiveness and hopeful new beginnings.

  • dramatic
  • deceptive
  • romantic
  • tense
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • deception
  • love triangle
  • revenge
  • forgiveness

Content notes: emotional manipulation.

Quiz

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FAQ

This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! Plot Questions

5 quick answers about This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! about?

In a vibrant urban backdrop where love and loyalty intertwine with a dash of mischief, the film unfolds like a kaleidoscope of emotions. The atmosphere teeters between heartfelt romance and playful scheming, creating a tone that feels both intimate and whimsically unpredictable.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! take place?

This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! is set in Parlor, Gemma's home, Gemma's workplace and the beach (Contemporary). The story unfolds in modern times with current fashion, technology, and social dynamics. It depicts present-day family finances, gender roles, and cultural expectations surrounding marriage in a contemporary Philippines…

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!?

The story follows Lester (Vice Ganda) (played by Vice Ganda), Mike (Luis Manzano) (played by Luis Manzano), Gemma (Toni Gonzaga) (played by Toni Gonzaga) and Ricky (Ricky Rivero) (played by Ricky Rivero); the character guide covers 5 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Love & Deception, Forgiveness & Renewal and Identity & Loyalty.

The themes explained

Who directed This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!?

This Guy’s In Love With U Mare! (2012) was directed by Wenn V. Deramas and runs 1 hour 45 minutes.

Wenn V. Deramas’s films

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