BL watchers have certain expectations from BLs because the genre has qualities that differentiate it from gay…
Presently, I hold GB and HS both in high esteem, and I do not feel any desire to decide who's the "winner" and who's the "runner up", so to speak. Personally, I think these two shows complement each other because while they are both love stories set during the COVID-19 pandemic, they each took a different fork in the road in how they told their stories.
In GB, the conflict is largely external. I'm not diminishing Cairo's internal struggle and eventual triumph in realizing who he really is, but the narrative is propelled by outside antagonists: Pearl (fake antagonist haha), Terrence, Risa, Cairo's mom (inadvertently).
In HS, the lack of persistent outside antagonists highlights their internal conflicts; that is, both boys are simultaneously falling in love while coming to terms with their sexual orientation. Yes, Crystal was an antagonist to their relationship, but she wasn't a persistent threat, enabling us to focus on Xavier's awakening and Mico's disbelief.
As such, in GB, you sympathize with CaiReel's trials and tribulations, and like Pearl, we want them to succeed. On the other hand, in HS, you empathize with XavMi, because we've all been there during our adolescence, and we remember our own uncertainty and confusion. And both shows have done an admirable job.
BL watchers have certain expectations from BLs because the genre has qualities that differentiate it from gay…
I actually watch Filipino BLs WITH English subtitles because I want to see if the subtitles most accurately reflect the situation presented, or if much was lost in translation. So far, I am happy to report that the gist is translated well, but of course a lot of nuance is still lost. For example, in "Hello, Stranger" there's a running gag with the teacher's name, Ms. Tina Moran. It's a sexually explicit pun for "to be ejaculated upon" and of course I can't imagine how that could be translated in English [Ms. Faye Shell (facial)]? lol.
To answer your question, I am of course filled with pride that our own flavor of experience is finally represented on-screen, and I actually find it refreshing that I don't need to create my own headcanon of what just happened. Hence, for me, there's room for all of it, local and international BLs, since they offer different experiences.
Regarding your last point, you've hit the nail on the head of a possible storm brewing in the Filipino BL horizon. As you know, the Philippines is a majority-Catholic country (approx. 80%), and we profess to be sexually conservative on paper. There's a double standard going on, however -- if you see out-and-about LGBT on the streets, most people don't give a rat's ass, but if you start portraying them in a positive and progressive way in mass media, you'll surely get conservative backlash.
I think these Pinoy BL's launched under a conveniently protective shield of "it's COVID, people are quarantined, so let's make stories where the boys don't need to end up actually kissing, making out and/or having sex".
Is the lack of depicted physical intimacy merely being internally consistent with the narratives of happening during the COVID pandemic? Or is it an attempt to dodge conservative censure and censorship to protect a nascent genre? Or is it both? Time will tell. In a sense, Gameboy's Episode 10 is a test case, because technically, they didn't kiss, but they did kiss in all the other ways that it matters.
BL watchers have certain expectations from BLs because the genre has qualities that differentiate it from gay…
As a continuation of our earlier conversation about this topic, you may have to brace yourself before watching any Filipino-made "BL" series. Aside from the fact that it's a new and developing genre in the Philippines, culturally, Filipinos are fond of melodrama -- in fact, we traditionally judge actors/actresses by how well they cry on screen.
It also helps to understand the ethos of the studio. The makers of "Hello, Stranger" are Black Sheep studios, an outfit under the country's largest media franchise. They are known for their so-called 'maindie' (mainstream + indie) films. As such, while you can expect their stories to deviate from traditional formulas, they'll avoid alienating the mass market by casting big-name stars from their roster and avoiding more risqué treatments. Tony and JC aren't new to the industry by any measurement; both have several films/TV shows/commercials under their belt already.
In contrast, the makers of "Gameboys" are IdeaFirst Company, a more indie outfit. While they also make maindie films, you'll typically see their films competing in various international film festivals. An apt example is "Kalel, 15", which is Elijah Canlas' breakout role, that participated in PÖFF 2019. On the other hand, Kokoy de Santos is currently a hot-ticket name because of his sexually explicit role in "Fuccbois" (Cinemalaya 2019).
All of this explains why I'm confident that "Hello Strangers" will make me sappy-happy in the end, but I have severe trust issues when it comes to watching "Gameboys" like, oh god who are they gonna kill off next hahahuhu.
I like that you made a distinction between BL and gay dramas. I suspect Gameboys (and all the other contemporary…
I think if we try to "graph" the emotional highs and lows of Gameboys, they tend to go towards extreme happiness and extreme sadness which is what OP is trying to avoid at the moment. On the other hand, Hello, Stranger's graph is definitely more towards the happy area, hence my recommendation. :)
not happy with the mom right now, and also not happy to feel that way because I love her. but playing the "your…
I like that you made a distinction between BL and gay dramas.
I suspect Gameboys (and all the other contemporary Filipino BL series) will constantly straddle this line simply because we don't have that distinction yet. For this newly-birthed industry, they're the same thing.
Of course it would be the Filipino viewers who would have no chill over a Filipino BL series?
Both "Gameboys" and "Hello, Stranger" have good things going for them, both have bad things against them, comparisons should be entertained, then judged on their merits, and neither toxic negativity nor toxic positivity is doing the nascent Filipino BL world any favors.
pretty sure Xavier is just messing with Mico, but should it be a dream, who do you think is dreaming it?
However, all of these are just flashbacks, let's not forget that Mico is heartbroken in the "present" (the opening minutes of Ep 1.) Xavier pranking him or using him as a rebound relationship would explain why Mico is heartbroken.
Group chemistry was lacking. They didn't really feel like a close group of friends, so watching them interact was awkward. They need to step up, or just focus on the main couple.
I'd like to apologize in advance to the International fans for Episode 7. Just remember that Filipinos tend to love extremes - in food, in laughter, in heartbreaks. Try watching any of the Jollibee commercials on YT for reference and remember that they're just tryna sell fried chicken T__T
Coincidentally airing at the same time as South Korea's "Where Your Eyes Linger", and fresh after Thailand's "2gether", I can't help but compare "Gameboys" with these two shows in terms of story, cinematography and production. This will be interesting moving forward. :)
In GB, the conflict is largely external. I'm not diminishing Cairo's internal struggle and eventual triumph in realizing who he really is, but the narrative is propelled by outside antagonists: Pearl (fake antagonist haha), Terrence, Risa, Cairo's mom (inadvertently).
In HS, the lack of persistent outside antagonists highlights their internal conflicts; that is, both boys are simultaneously falling in love while coming to terms with their sexual orientation. Yes, Crystal was an antagonist to their relationship, but she wasn't a persistent threat, enabling us to focus on Xavier's awakening and Mico's disbelief.
As such, in GB, you sympathize with CaiReel's trials and tribulations, and like Pearl, we want them to succeed. On the other hand, in HS, you empathize with XavMi, because we've all been there during our adolescence, and we remember our own uncertainty and confusion. And both shows have done an admirable job.
To answer your question, I am of course filled with pride that our own flavor of experience is finally represented on-screen, and I actually find it refreshing that I don't need to create my own headcanon of what just happened. Hence, for me, there's room for all of it, local and international BLs, since they offer different experiences.
Regarding your last point, you've hit the nail on the head of a possible storm brewing in the Filipino BL horizon. As you know, the Philippines is a majority-Catholic country (approx. 80%), and we profess to be sexually conservative on paper. There's a double standard going on, however -- if you see out-and-about LGBT on the streets, most people don't give a rat's ass, but if you start portraying them in a positive and progressive way in mass media, you'll surely get conservative backlash.
I think these Pinoy BL's launched under a conveniently protective shield of "it's COVID, people are quarantined, so let's make stories where the boys don't need to end up actually kissing, making out and/or having sex".
Is the lack of depicted physical intimacy merely being internally consistent with the narratives of happening during the COVID pandemic? Or is it an attempt to dodge conservative censure and censorship to protect a nascent genre? Or is it both? Time will tell. In a sense, Gameboy's Episode 10 is a test case, because technically, they didn't kiss, but they did kiss in all the other ways that it matters.
It also helps to understand the ethos of the studio. The makers of "Hello, Stranger" are Black Sheep studios, an outfit under the country's largest media franchise. They are known for their so-called 'maindie' (mainstream + indie) films. As such, while you can expect their stories to deviate from traditional formulas, they'll avoid alienating the mass market by casting big-name stars from their roster and avoiding more risqué treatments. Tony and JC aren't new to the industry by any measurement; both have several films/TV shows/commercials under their belt already.
In contrast, the makers of "Gameboys" are IdeaFirst Company, a more indie outfit. While they also make maindie films, you'll typically see their films competing in various international film festivals. An apt example is "Kalel, 15", which is Elijah Canlas' breakout role, that participated in PÖFF 2019. On the other hand, Kokoy de Santos is currently a hot-ticket name because of his sexually explicit role in "Fuccbois" (Cinemalaya 2019).
All of this explains why I'm confident that "Hello Strangers" will make me sappy-happy in the end, but I have severe trust issues when it comes to watching "Gameboys" like, oh god who are they gonna kill off next hahahuhu.
I suspect Gameboys (and all the other contemporary Filipino BL series) will constantly straddle this line simply because we don't have that distinction yet. For this newly-birthed industry, they're the same thing.
Both "Gameboys" and "Hello, Stranger" have good things going for them, both have bad things against them, comparisons should be entertained, then judged on their merits, and neither toxic negativity nor toxic positivity is doing the nascent Filipino BL world any favors.