LIST: Boys Love-themed series worth watching
Since the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine was imposed in March, Filipinos had so much time to watch movies and series of varying themes, locally and internationally.
One of the genres that caught the attention of Filipinos of late is Boys Love (BL), a subgenre of romance that started in Japan as early as 1970s where two male characters take the lead.
Several production companies saw this as an opportunity and created their own version of Filipino boys love series. Check out this list of ongoing, upcoming, and completed BL series:
Ongoing series
Gameboys
On May 22, 2020, The IdeaFirst Company, headed by directors Jun Lana and Perci Intalan, answered netizens' clamor and released the pilot episode of Gameboys, the first Filipino boys love series released during the quarantine.
Gameboys revolves around the story of Cairo, played by indie actor Elijah Canlas, and Gavreel, portrayed by Kokoy de Santos, who rose to fame in his role in 2019 Cinemalaya entry F#*@bois.
Cairo, who streams his game online, and Gavreel, who is also a gamer, met online when Cairo lost to Gavreel on his stream. Eager to defeat Gavreel, Cairo asked for a rematch but instead, Gavreel confessed his love to Cairo and asked for a date.
According to the company, audiences from Europe, Latin America, and the United States watch the series, which releases new episodes every Friday, 8 pm, on IdeaFirst's YouTube channel.
Sakristan
On May 31, 2020, 'Jowable' director Darryl Yap, through his production company VinCentiments, released their own BL series titled Sakristan on the company's YouTube channel.
Sakristan's pilot episode, which stars swimmer and triathlete Clifford Pusing as Zach, and theatre actor John Henry Villanueva as Christian, peaked as high as number 5 in YouTube's trending videos.
Zach and Christian are both altar servers (sakristan) who found love in each other.
Sakristan finished its first season last June 19, 2020 with more than 300,000 views with the second season already in the works. Show director Darryl Yap already released a teaser titled 'Sakristan: Ikalawang Pagbasa.'
In Between
On July 11, 2020, the newest Filipino boys love series, In Between, gave Gameboys and Sakristan a run for their money.
The two-part pilot episode of In Between, which stars athletes-turned-actors Genesis Redido and Migs Villasis, already has a combined 200,000 views, just four days after its release.
Genesis plays the character of Otep while Migs portrays the role of Taurus. Otep and Taurus have been friends since childhood and belong to the same group of friends.
In their adulthood, Otep and Taurus entered into a relationship but later on, broke up.
Can Otep and Taurus remain friends despire their have a past?
Catch In Between every Saturday, 8 p.m., on USPH TV YouTube Channel.
Unlocked
Created by esteemed and award-winning director Adolf Alix, Jr., Unlocked is a six-part drama anthology that tells the stories of gay relationships under the lockdown.
Episode 1 of the anthology which starred singer-actor Markki Stroem and Mike Liwanag, premiered on July 9, 2020.
Catch the six-part anthology Unlocked on GagaOOLala, the Taiwan-based online streaming service that focuses on LGBTQIA+ stories, every Thursday.
My Day
“Video production company Oxin Films also released their own Filipino boys love series in August titled My Day.
Models-turned-actors Aki Torres and Miko Gallardo portray the characters of Ace, and Sky, respectively.
The four-part pilot episode of My Day uploaded on August 8 already has a combined views of almost 2 million.
Oxin Films releases new episodes every Saturday, 9pm.”
Upcoming series
Quaranthings: The Series
The digital short film studio Ride or Die is set to release Quaranthings: The Series, starring Royce Cabrera and YouTube sensation Kyo Quijano, this September 2020.
The web series follows the friendship of two boys, and the love that will blossom between them while on community quarantine.
Joining Royce and Kyo in the cast is veteran actress Gina Pareño, who will play the role Kyo's grandmother.
Boys' Lockdown
Ali King (left) and Alec Kevin (right) in 'Boys' Lockdown,' which will premiere in September. / Source: rafiecake (IG)
Digital ticketing platform Ticket2Me ventured into content creation with their first Boys Love series titled Boys' Lockdown.
Starring Ali King and Alec Kevin as Key Kalunsod and Chen Chavez respectively, Boys' Lockdown tells how Key and Chen find each other during the community quarantine.
Aside from Ali and Alec, up-and-coming Kapuso star Crystal Paras is also part of Boys' Lockdown.
Joining them are Teetin Villanueva, Luis Padilla, Carlo Tingcungco, and Joey Colo.
Boys' Lockdown will premiere in September on ticket2me's YouTube channel.
Completed series
Hanging Out
Hanging Out, the first Filipino gay digital series, premiered in 2016.
Directed by Petersen Vargas, the six-episode Hanging Out, follows the life of gay millennials after they have come out.
The show's story revolved around David, portrayed by Paulito Delmundo, and Adrian, played by Jox Gonzales.
David attended Adrian's birthday party, where they became friends and found a new group of friends.
Hanging Out is available on the TEAM Mag YouTube channel.
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