AFAM Wives Club, the new reality-drama hybrid from JP Habac, Rodina Singh and Antoinette Jadaone, is more than a show about cross-cultural relationships. For its stars, Nathalie Hart, Julia Chu, and Mari Fowler, it is a cultural correction.

The series pushes back against decades of stereotypes, especially the pop-culture notion that Filipinas involved with foreign partners are "souvenirs" collected during a traveler's adventure. In this series, the women insist on defining themselves instead.

During an intimate conversation, the three cast members of the AFAM Wives Club family broke down the origins of the stereotype, how the show dismantles it and why modern Filipinas deserve to be seen as complex, empowered protagonists.

Rewriting the meaning of AFAM

To understand why AFAM Wives Club exists, the women explain the evolution of the word "AFAM." Actress Julia Chu shared that the term originally meant "a foreigner assigned to Manila," referring particularly to Americans stationed in Clark and Subic. But the slang meaning shifted. Today, AFAM often describes Western men visiting the Philippines, and the problematic trope that they "pick up island souvenirs" along the way.

That stereotype is exactly what the series challenges.

"This show flips that story on its head," Julia said. "We are not island souvenirs. We are the main characters... independent women, not a person or a thing picked up by someone in the middle of their travels."

This message sits at the core of AFAM Wives Club, which follows four women navigating love, identity and ambition across cultures, told through a lively blend of English, Tagalog and Taglish.

A sisterhood shaped by honesty and vulnerability

The chemistry between the cast is immediate. "We miss each other," actress Nathalie Hart said as the interview began. They joked that the call felt like a reunion, especially because Mari Fowler had been away after giving birth. "She's just been gone because of her pregnancy. We really miss her," Nathalie added.

Mari, still recovering from a C-section, laughed gently through the pain. "It really hurts. It's my first baby," she said.

Their warmth with each other is reflected throughout the show, but so is their willingness to speak hard truths.

Dating across cultures: "Foreigners close the deal"

One of the show's central themes is cross-cultural romance, something all three women understand from personal experience.

Julia, who once lived in Latin America, compared cultural dynamics:
"Latinos are very cariñoso, affectionate. Filipinos don't show they like you. They're really good friends and you're not sure if they're interested or just being nice... Foreigners close the deal."

Nathalie chimed in: "Filipinos love the chase."

But for Mari, who grew up warned against foreign partners, the revelation was different — and emotional.

She confessed her mother used to tell her horror stories about foreign men, insisting she remain a conservative Filipina. "Thank God I met Landon," she said. "He proved it's not about having a different culture or being a foreigner. It's about having a good heart."

Her takeaway now: "It happened at the right time, with the right person."

Marriage means marrying the barangay

When asked what couples from different cultures should discuss early on, Nathalie didn't hesitate:
"When you marry a Filipina, you marry her entire family, her entire barangay," she said, prompting laughter.

From religion to money to expectations of extended family, their perspectives reflect real Filipino cultural nuances, and the show doesn't shy away from any of it.

Beyond stereotypes: the empowerment message

Now that filming has wrapped, the women are eager for audiences to see how their separate storylines weave together.

"I can't wait to see the storylines of the other women," Julia said. "We filmed together, but our lives were also followed independently."

For Nathalie, the show's takeaway is powerful and universal:
"It shows that despite our differences, women have one similarity, we are empowered. We can step up and take space and become who we want to be. It's a story of inspiration and hope."

A final message for viewers

Before signing off, the stars reminded fans that the first episode is free and more will be available soon. "Please support us," Julia said. "The drama is going to fully unfold in the coming episodes."

Their mission is clear: to give Filipinas back their stories, not as souvenirs, but as fully realized women leading their own journeys.

Originally published on Latin Times