Manila, Philippines – The much-anticipated cast reveal for the upcoming adaptation of the beloved Wattpad novel I Love You Since 1892 by Binibining Mia has stirred a flurry of emotions among fans, many of whom have long waited for the story’s onscreen debut. However, what was expected to be a moment of celebration has instead been met with disappointment and controversy.
After years of speculation and mounting excitement on social media, Viva One officially announced that it will produce the adaptation of the historical and tragic love story that captivated millions of readers. The lead roles will be portrayed by Heaven Peralejo as Carmela/Carmelita, Jerome Ponce as Juanito Alfonso, and Joseph Marco as Leandro.
The announcement sparked widespread backlash, particularly from loyal fans who had long envisioned actors Marlo Mortel and Janella Salvador—collectively known as “MarNella”—in the lead roles. The two had served as cover models for the published book versions and were publicly supported by the author herself, who once stated, “If it’s not MarNella, I won’t approve the adaptation.”
I Love You Since 1892, written by Mia Alfonso (known online as Binibining Mia and Undeniably Gorgeous), tells the tale of Carmela Isabella, a young woman from 2016 who mysteriously travels back to the year 1891. Her mission: to correct a tragic mistake made by her ancestor, Carmelita, who—bearing an uncanny resemblance to her—fell deeply in love with the honorable and charming Juanito Alfonso. That love, however, led to betrayal and Juanito’s untimely death. Carmela, as Carmelita’s reincarnation, is given the chance to rewrite history. But in doing so, she changes not only Juanito’s fate, but also the course of the present.
Mia began writing the novel at just 16 years old, drawing inspiration from the popular Korean drama Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Over the years, ILYS1892 grew into a cultural phenomenon on Wattpad and was later published by ABS-CBN Books. Its emotional depth, historical backdrop, and heartbreaking ending resonated deeply with readers, many of whom shed tears over the tragic love story.
For nearly a decade, fans held onto hope that the story would someday be brought to life on screen—with the original dream cast. MarNella were not only featured in the book covers, but also expressed willingness to play the roles should the adaptation be greenlit. This connection made the recent casting decision all the more disheartening for fans who had emotionally invested in the original vision.
Following the backlash, Binibining Mia deactivated her social media accounts, appearing only during the official cast reveal press conference. Critics accused her of inconsistency, pointing to her past statements. Others defended her, acknowledging that the reality of production deals can sometimes force creators to compromise.
As one longtime fan shared, “This was the first Wattpad story I ever read, even knowing it had a tragic ending. I loved it so much I bought the book just to get Juanito’s POV. From Chapter 1, it was clear who the characters were based on—it was always MarNella. They were the soul of the story.”
That fan, like many others, expressed dismay over the cast change, especially after years of hoping ABS-CBN would handle the adaptation. “This story taught me to love history, old houses, and heritage. I’ve probably read it a hundred times. The pain was real—but this announcement hurts even more.”
While some are holding out hope that the series will win them over once released, others feel the essence of the original has already been lost. For me “There are stories that should have been left in books and in the imagination of readers. To us, Marlo and Janella will always be Juanito and Carmela.”
With I Love You Since 1892 now officially headed for the tv screen, the question remains: can this adaptation live up to the legacy built by a generation of devoted readers? Goodluck!
