With most of the population staying inside their homes due to the quarantines and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for fresh content and entertainment increased.
Because of this, Filipino storytellers took this opportunity to release Boys Love or BL content of their own which changed the landscape of queer and LGBTQIA+ representation in television and film.
2020 has been difficult. But it allowed creators, writers, and directors the time and opportunity to change the queer storytelling in media.
Here are some of the BL series that left a mark in 2020 and forever changed Filipino’s perspective of queer love. Warning spoilers ahead.
Gameboys: The Series
Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gameboys: The series follows the story of the gamer/streamer Cairo who lost to a newcomer named Gavreel, who had a romantic interest in him.The two fall in love and create one of the healthiest portrayals of queer relationships to date.
Elijah Canlas (Cairo) and Kokoy De Santos (Gavreel) showed impeccable chemistry on screen that made each kilig moment streaming gold. Packed with several meet-cute moments, fun-clean flirtatious innuendos, and seizure-inducing kilig scenes, Gameboys: The series normalized a queer relationship to the extent that viewers saw Cairo and Gavreel as any other heterosexual couple.
The series, produced by The Ideafirst Company, also realistically portrayed the struggles of people during the pandemic, which made it relatable to a wide variety of audiences affected by lockdowns and quarantines. Aside from the new normal, Gameboys also tackled the emotional impact of losing someone to the COVID-19 virus, which brought its audiences to tears.
Aside from the pandemic, the series also focused on relevant LGBTQIA+ issues such as coming out. It proved that a BL series has the potential to shed light on the different social issues while enticing its audience with light-hearted, fun, and romantic scenes.
Another plus side to the series is their portrayal of Pearl (Adrianna So). The series showed a healthy relationship between Gavreel and Pearl, who were ex-lovers turned best friends. Pearl became their support system.
The culmination of these aspects helped the series in creating not only the first but also one of the best BL series of 2020. As proof, Gameboys won the best digital series of the year category in the recently concluded RAWR Awards 2020. It also spurred on two spin-offs and received a recut version in the Gameboys Level Up Edition on Netflix.
Hello Stranger
Similar to Gameboys: The Series, Hello Stranger, revolved around the struggles of the pandemic, with the focus on students adjusting to the new normal.
The BlackSheep-produced series follows Mico (JC Alcantara) and Xavier (Tony Labrusca). Initially, at odds, they became partners in an online school project. As they got to know each other, they slowly grew their friendship resulting in them developing feelings for one another.
JC and Tony’s on-screen chemistry translated to the success of the BL series. Additionally, the series highlights light-hearted romantic fun-filled with kilig moments for days. It incorporated typical tropes found in teen romantic comedies usually portrayed by heterosexual characters and told them in a BL setting.
Additionally, the writers and director created an environment with no social pressure to conform to gender norms. From Xavier’s ex-girlfriend Crystal (Gillian Vicencio) to Mico’s friends, especially Junjun (Miguel Almendras), the series’ supporting characters accepted the leads with no prejudice.
Because of this, it normalized the queer relationship between the two leads without the series trivializing their internal struggles while coming to terms with their feelings.
Another notable aspect of the series is the romantic sub-plot of Kookai (Vivoree Escolito) and Seph (Patrick Quiroz). Because of these pairings, the series was able to celebrate all forms of love with inclusivity in all genders.
With its online success, Hello Stranger received its green light for a movie sequel, which is currently filming.
Gaya Sa Pelikula
Set in December 2018, the series follows Karl (Paolo Pangilinan) and Vlad (Ian Pangilinan), who were forced into cohabitation due to a chain of events. While the story progresses, the two develop feelings for each other despite their differences. However, Karl’s internal struggle in coming to terms with his sexuality halted his budding relationship with Vlad.
Paolo and Ian’s chemistry on-screen and off-screen translated to the wild success of the BL series. Due to their undeniable charm, the two bagged the BL Tandem Year Award in the recently concluded RAWR Awards 2020.
Set in the pre-pandemic era, the Globe Studios released series focuses on multiple LGBTQIA+ issues such as euphemisms with the word gay, coming out, microaggressions, and problematic allies. Both political and social commentary in nature, the series educates its viewers to be more accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Creator Juan Miguel Severo and Director JP Habac also cleverly incorporated scenes from popular Filipino romantic films with every episode of the series. It created a familiarity with the viewers and allowed their queer audience to see themselves as the main character of their beloved romantic Filipino movies.
Despite its somber ending, the series became a huge success, garnering a protective fan base and active online community thanks to the cast’s engagement with their audience. Hopes for a second season have been expressed by fans of the series, with no official announcement as of this writing.
Ben X Jim
Set during the pandemic, Ben X Jim follows an aspiring baker and struggling online seller Ben (Teejay Marquez) who rekindles his friendship with childhood friend Jim (Jerome Ponce) while harboring romantic feelings for the latter. As the series progresses, Jim realizes his feelings for Ben. Despite having Jim having a girlfriend and disapproval from both of their families, Ben and Jim pursued their relationship.
Teejay and Jerome’s on-screen chemistry effectively conveyed the shifting dynamics between friends who ended up falling for each other.
The Regal Entertainment Inc. produced series tackles different issues and struggles during the pandemic and how it impacted the lives of the characters. Additionally, the film also touches on unstable family dynamics between both characters affecting their decisions in life.
The series also did not shy away from tackling relevant issues during the pandemic, such as mental health.
Ben X Jim was a hit for BL enthusiasts as it had the highest number of streams on its premiere night. Because of its success, the series is up for its second season airing in the first quarter of 2021.
My Extraordinary
My Extraordinary marks the first BL aired on free TV. It follows the story of Shake (Darwin Yu) and Ken (Enzo Santiago) who develop feeling for each other after an altercation during a basketball game. However, Sandee (Karissa Toliongco), Ken’s best friend, becomes jealous of the budding romance and went tells Ken’s traditional mother, effectively separating the two.
Enzo and Darwin’s chemistry establishes the romantic relationship between the two, effectively introducing the BL genre to the free TV audience.
The AsterisK Digital Entertainment series initially follows a standard TV drama wherein the best friend becomes the antagonist of the series. However, as the story progresses, Sandee makes amends and helps the BL couple to get together.
The series tackles different family dynamics and social issues experienced by LGBTQIA+ teens, especially when it comes to acceptance and tolerance. The series aired its first episode on September 27 via TV5.
Oh, Mando!
Currently an ongoing BL series, this also stars Kokoy De Santos as Armando/ Mando. It follows the timid Mando who develops feelings with basketball player, Barry (Alex Diaz), who unfortunately already has a boyfriend. To move on, Mando pursues a relationship with liberated architecture student Krisha (Barbie Imperial). Then, Barry walks back into Mando’s life, confusing the protagonist.
The series has a well-paced storytelling structure filled with symbolism and relatable scenes that help viewers engage more in the series. It’s quirky and entertaining romantic comedy vibe charms its viewers and positions itself as one of the newer and promising BL series available.
Oh, Mando! is currently available via iWantTFC and YouTube.
Other completed noteworthy BL Series to stream:
-Boyband Love The Series
-Better Days
-My Day: The Series
-Quaranthings
-Boys Lockdown
-In Between
The sudden boom of the BL series in the Philippines is a sign that the country’s LGBTQIA+ treatment is heading in the right direction. With a lot of BL content coming in waves, the hopes of educating the masses with acceptance and tolerance are almost at hand. Hopefully, this could pave the way to a better understanding amongst every Filipino regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity expression.
