Don’t be confused if Pinoy viewers seem a little too emotionally invested every Friday night. They’re probably just busy tuning in to ABS-CBN's newest romance-suspense drama "Love Is Never Gone" like it's their personal assignment.
The series came in hot during its premiere week, quickly climbing to No. 1 on Prime Video Philippines and going viral online for all the right reasons. Starring Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi, the show captivated audiences through the fast-paced story of Teo (Joshua) and Yana (Ivana)'s passionate yet complicated romance peppered with heartbreak and unexpected twists.
Apart from the gripping storyline and nail-biting scenes, one of the show’s biggest “it” factor is definitely the breathtaking Moroccan backdrop, which makes every frame feel extra dreamy. As it turns out, Joshua is just as mesmerized by the location because when asked to name his top three favorite scenes from the series, all the moments he picked were tied to the gorgeous filming destination.
First on his list is the adrenaline-filled sequence shown right before the opening billboard, where Teo and Yana are being chased by a dangerous syndicate group through a rugged stone pathway. The tension escalates when the cops eventually corner them, with Yana becoming the main target while Teo finds himself trapped in the middle of the threatening situation, desperately urging her to surrender. But instead of giving herself up, Yana shocks Teo by jumping off the rocky cliffside straight into the crashing waters below.
It's one of Joshua's favorites because apart from being action-packed, the location itself looked breathtaking on screen and in reality. It was filmed in Essaouira, which was also featured in the popular Hollywood fantasy series "Game of Thrones." Known for its dramatic stone landscapes and stunning coastal views, the place further enhanced the scene's cinematic feel.
As early as the pilot episode, "Love Is Never Gone" already immersed viewers in the bewitching desert landscapes of Morocco, particularly in the scenes that traced the growing connection between Teo and Yana. Joshua shared that he especially loved filming in the vast safari location (well, as viewers, we can't deny how the warm earth tones added a certain intimacy to the story). Among the scenes shot there was the couple’s steamy lovemaking. Joshua and Ivana also rode camels across the desert terrain while the sunset cast an amber glow behind them. The setting beautifully showcased Morocco’s rich Arab culture, too.
Completing Joshua’s Top 3 is the scene set in a souk—a traditional Moroccan marketplace or plaza where everything feels so vibrant and alive. "Nagustuhan ko 'yung lugar... chaotic 'yung lugar pero maganda," he said. In this sequence, Teo arrives in the bustling space, unable to take his eyes off Yana as she commands attention in a red Arabic costume and directs her flirty dance toward him.
With the episodes this intense, romantic, and visually stunning, this JoshVana series is giving us a lot of moments to obsess over. Joshua has already dropped his top 3 favorites— but for you, Kapamilya, which "Love Is Never Gone" scene has completely taken over your heart so far?
"Love Is Never Gone" is now streaming exclusively in over 240 countries and territories on Prime Video, with two new episodes every Friday.
“Love is Never Gone” is top 1 show on Prime Video PH
Joshua Garcia gets real about love and boundaries
Joshua and Ivana grapple with love and betrayal in Morocco-set series “Love is Never Gone”
Mapangahas na pag-ibig nina Joshua at Ivana, tampok sa Morocco sa "Love is Never Gone"