Paano Kaya Kung Tayo (2021)

Why the heck did I love this series?

I finished my review of 'One Day Pag-Ibig', the first series by director/screenwriter Ranz Gonzales, saying 'It seems there is going to be a season two, and if so, I only hope that the script will be more consistent, actors better trained, technical issues resolved, and screenwriter/director Ranz Gonzales gains more experience. As I am an unshakeable optimist, I'm looking forward to it.'

'Paano Kaya Kung Tayo' isn't the season 2, but the writer/director and main cast are the same. Unfortunately, my hopes have been disappointed, because this series suffers from similar flaws as the former.

But why the heck did I love it then? And why does it attract the same or even larger numbers of viewers, an estimated third of them international, than series like 'Worth the Wait' or 'Why Love Why 2' that have bigger budgets and more promotion? I guess there are two reasons: the cuteness factor of the lead actors, and the passion and dedication that the director, cast, and crew have invested in making this series happen.

The plot is not very original: A boy from a rich family (Sef, played by Allen Caguioa) falls for a poor boy (Andrei, Ivo Rosimo). First he teases him, then he tries to get closer to him, he is desperate when Andrei doesn't seem to feel the same way, but doesn't give up. His methods of getting close to Andrei are more than questionable, though, as is Andrei's response.

Andrei is a loving son, an ambitious and successful student, and a friendly guy all the time (except towards Sef). On the other hand, he accepts all kinds of expensive presents from Sef, instead of rejecting them and telling Sef frankly he does not want to be his boyfriend. This makes him appear greedy and selfish. It isn't even clear if he isn't lying to Sef when he claims he has broken up with his long distance girlfriend Trisha, because when Sef and Andrei meet again after Sef has been abroad for two years, he is obviously in a relationship with Trisha.

Sef's character shows some facettes and disruptions, too. He's a bully in the first episodes, then starts awkwardly hitting on Andrei, moves into his apartment, sleeps in the same bed, and gives him presents, although Andrei rejects him. This may come across quite infringing, and it is, especially when he even kidnaps Andrei. It is his somewhat helpless way of crying out for the attention of the boy he loves. Sef doesn't feel at home in his own family, his relation to his stepbrother Ivan (Bert Calara) is bad, and he feels misunderstood by his parents. It looks like he chooses Andrei and his father (John Rudolf) as a substitute for his own family.

There is another boy who has a secret crush on Andrei: Kian (Clark Blancaflor), who sits around with his guitar and a sad face throughout the series. He is a much nicer person than Sef, and Andrei likes him, but Kian is always too shy. When he overcomes his shyness for once, he's just a minute too late. Unrequited love is the most bitter form of love, and there are heartbreaking scenes when I wanted to hug poor Kian (especially in the ”rain scene” in ep. 8). On the other hand, he compensates his sadness by writing a beautiful song, so there's something good about it, at least for the viewers, because for him it doesn't pay out.

There are loads of side characters, who are necessary as the story is set in a school. Some of them side with Sef, others with Andrei, but they do not contribute anything essential to the story. Only the love story of Ivan and Gelay (Alexa France) is a nice little subplot, although its outcome isn't clear in the end. Like in many Pinoy Bls, there are some trans characters, and I'm glad that Ranz Gonzales, unlike other writers, doesn't make them mere caricatures or even ridicules them. I also appreciate that Sef's ex-girldfriend is not simply presented as the evil ex as in other series.

The setting isn't very unique for a BL-series: it's a school. What is unique, though, is the school uniform these poor lads have to wear! The waistcoats are just as terrible as Kian's makeup in the first episodes. The teacher and his methods ('Now hug your partner for five minutes' – Gosh, I would have loved being in that school) are also very unique.

The script has many empty spaces, repetitions, disruptions, and flaws. Just a few examples: Why does Andrei leave his father and rent an apartment? He just says 'We talked about it'. Okay, good you did, but why don't you tell the interested audience? How does Andrei pay his rent? He says once that he gets money for papers he writes for other students. Why not show him getting money and handing over papers now and then? Why does Sef hate Ivan? What is their background story? How sick is Andrei, what exactly is his illness, and how does he recover so fast? The ending, however, is the worst and least plausible ending of any BL-series that I have watched.

I guess one major problem of this series is that Ranz Gonzales has to do too many jobs at the same time: writing, casting, directing, and while shooting this series, already drafting the next one which is probably coming soon ('He's mine').

Acting is another issue. I love Allen, Ivo, Clark, Bert, and some of the rest, which is the main reason why I enjoyed this series. When I gave 7 stars for acting/cast, it is 10 for cast, but only 4 for acting. All the actors need to take acting lessons if they want to become real actors, or Direk Ranz should at least hire a proper acting coach. They all have a large fan base, due to their tiktok activities, and this may tempt them to think they don't need to invest their time in learning how to act. If they don't work hard to improve their skills, the early success could put an end to their careers sooner than they want, which would be a pity, because I would like to see much more from them.

Unfortunately, directing and filming in general are not good throughout the series. There is only little progress in all these things, compared with 'One Day Pag-Ibig'. Editing and sound quality are still poor. The low budget may serve as an excuse for some time, but it won't do so forever.

Finally, I must talk about the soundtrack. It was Clark Blancaflor's 'Kung Pwede lang' that kept hanging in my ear for a long time after 'One Day Pag-Ibig' had been aired, and it even made me rewatch the series. The same is happening with Clark's title song 'Paano Kaya Kung Tayo'. So when I said at the beginning that I, like many thousands of viewers, like this series because of the main actors, and because of the passion and dedication of everyone involved in the production, I should have added that Clark's composition is the third point that has made me a fan of this series. So if I give 6.5 stars for rewatch value only, that doesn't mean I won't rewatch it. I know I will.

Because that's what I am: a fan of the series, especially of the main actors and Direk Ranz (otherwise I wouldn't have written this long review), although the final episode was a big disappointment. I must admit that my optimism with regard to improvement in the aspects mentioned above is limited, but I am still looking forward to the next series by Ranz Gonzales and his bunch of cuties.

Read More

Dismal

I had expected an improvement over One Day Pag-Ibig, but this worse in every regard. The same technical errors and problems are present, the acting is not improved, and the story is just derivative, moves in circles, and you will be astonished that they could end it the way they did after we slogged through this series.

One character does something that takes 2 years, and it's never discussed between the main characters. Maybe that would have been a scene we would have liked to have watched instead of an endless sequence of Sef trying to hug Andrei, who invariably pushes him away. Addicted/Heroin is outright copied in several spots, but without the charm and wit of that series.

The acting isn't terrible, at least not from the lead pair, but it's not exactly inspired, either. There's finally a kiss at one point, and it's painfully obviously fake. Come on.

I wanted to like this, and I was expecting a lot more. At least some passion, instead of dreary BL by the numbers.

But there is no motive for improvement because the actors have large tiktok followings that will flock to see anything they're in. That provides me with zero motive to waste any more time on anything this production company drops on us. We're already 2/2 for the ship not sailing. Do I need it to be 3/3?

I want to say something positive, but I'm struggling to think of anything. The theme song is good, but after you've heard it 1,000 times it loses it's appeal. Allen has a beautiful everything and he and Ivo are both very cute. With proper coaching and direction, I think they have enough talent to be effective actors. That's about it.

Read More

I didnt really mind this drama ,even if it does kinda seem repetative of their other dramas i still thought it was ok well apart from towards the end,have to say was a little bit confused as i thought andrei was starting to like sef when he told his gf over the phone that he has someone else which i assume meant sef.
It was honestly frustrating throughout when it seemed andrei was willing to give them a try from the kiss scene to them visiting andrei's mums grave to the water play,spending all that time together even to the point of andrei scratching he loves sef in a tree, so im really at a lost as to how andrei ended up with his ex gf at the end🤨proper gobsmacked but oh well its done now dont regret it love these guys repetitions an all.

Read More

I rate the series less than a six, even though it suffers from a number of shortcomings. A strange ending, but the final words of Sef at the end have weight, the depth of humanity, the acting, especially of the secondary characters, with several completely unnecessary and binding, was amateurish and the Asian affect. Overall, the main three actors pulled it off with that inexplicable magic to a slightly above average, nice lead song. Rather, I recommend it, but only to those who have experience with Pinoy production and know what to expect from it. I do not recommend the others - nervous types and negativists.


Seriál hodnotím necelou šestkou, i když trpí řadou nedostatků. Divný konec, ale závěrečná slova Sefa na konci mají váhu, hloubku lidství, herectví, hlavně vedlejších postav, u několika zcela zbytečných a zavazejících, bylo amatérské a k tomu ten asijský afekt. Celkově to nakonec vytáhli hlavní tři představitelé tím nevysvětlitelným kouzlem do mírného nadprůměru, hezká hlavní píseň. Spíše doporučuji, ale jen těm, kteří mají zkušenost s pinoy produkcí a vědí, co od ní čekat. Těm ostatním - nervním typům a negativistůn nedoporučuji.

Read More

I GOT BRAIN DAMAGE AFTER WATCHING

I didn't know something would surpass PILIKula to this level of cringeness. Welll, at least PILIKula got a good production despite the worst storyline and acting. This series is painfully dissatisfying from start to finish.

(Note: I actually hate myself, so my punishment is watching this series.)


Story

Is there a story? Oh right! Combining all clichés and overused tropes, pushing the concept when the budget can't achieve, and writing problematic lines.

Trigger Warning: Homophobia, Transphobia, Body Shaming, Manipulation

I understand that not all BLs got a good budget. And that's fine because even high-bugdeted prod can still make worst show (ex. 2gether the series). But this one lacks bugdet and it shows.

They really tried to shove it on our throats, huh! Like can you not push an exclusive private school concept with rich students and can't even afford to get a good setting!?

It seems like this series is made by JHS students for a school project. This one looks cheap and trash. It's trying-hard which gives me brain damage.

Well, I can squint and disregard the set design for the sake of story.... however, nothing's good about it either. Plus, the characters are spouting nonsense and bullshits that I can never forgive.

Sure, I applaud the series for hiring LGBT cast and letting them wear outfit that makes them comfortable. BUT. They're really acting from stereotypes. And there are unforgivable amount of homophobia and transphobia from this series.

I am tried with these bullshits. Please. This is so backward!!!

Another thing, the amount of body shaming showcased is beyong recovery. There's only one plus size character but they're making it look like being fat is a personality trait. Who wrote this series? Let me talk to you.

The only good thing about the series is that the main characters didn't end up together. I'm not into sad endings but this series made the right decision.

Please. I don't like the bully to lover trope. As a person who was bullied in highschool, whenever a drama has that kind of trope gives me flashbacks—bad memories. You don't fall in love with your bully!

Though, the main couple had sweet moments, at least they didn't end up together! Because the bully is a manipulator and if they end up together, we're romanticizing red flag behaviors.

(No justice for the second male lead.)


Acting/Cast

Ugh. Aside from the bad storyline and script, the acting is bad. They really casted too many starlets who can't act!

There are too many unnecessary characters. They did not even help the story progress! They're just there for the sake of filling the small classroom. Lmao.

I lost count how many times I facepalm-ed from cringing on their acting.


Music

I don't like the musical scoring. It's annoying. It does not give anything to the mood of the scenes.

The OST is fine, but the production of the song is novice.


Rewatch Value

Well, from my notes above...do you really I'll bother to watch this again?

Read More

Missed opportunity

Thank you for the English Subtitles.

I had high hope for a throuple series that wasn't the case at all. It didn't have the worst acting nor the best, however, I looked past the production issues and the acting to get all the way to the end for it to end like that!

If that was the way it was going to end there shouldn't have been a two-year time jump with nothing referencing the past two years. WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE TWO YEARS??? It would have been better if Andrei ended up with Kian than to defer to a GF in this BL.

I honestly hate the way the Trans community is portrayed and continues to be represented in these BL's. It really shows the transphobia inside of the LGBTQ community without addressing the issues with misogynist undertones. This show was filled with PHOBIC everything please do better. If you are going to write and represent our community, do it better than the ones who want to keep the LGBTQ community IN the closest. This is only adding to the problem.

Stop with the fake kissing! If an actor/actors are uncomfortable or unwilling to ACT then this should be the genre for them. How do you get the job that you are unwilling to give it your all! It's called acting for heaven's sake.

The story leaves a lot to be desired.

Read More